Stars and Stripes Serving Tray

Stars and Stripes Serving Tray

Posted by DecoArt on Jun 17th 2014

Here's a crafty salute to Old Glory I made using DecoArt Chalky Finish paint and a $3 thrift store wooden tray.

Items Needed:

  • Wooden Tray
  • Foil Star
  • Painter's Tape
  • Sand Paper
  • 2" Chip Brush
  • Liner Brush
  • Cloth
  • Ruler
  • Pencil

Instructions:

Begin by painting the entire tray with two coats of Americana Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting.

When the paint has dried completely, use your ruler or tape measure to mark off 13 horizontal stripes on your tray.

Once you've measured for your stripes, mask them off with painter's tape, keeping in mind that the top stripe on the American flag horizontal stripes is red.

On the left side of your tray, mask off the area for your stars, keeping in mind that the bottom of it should line up with the bottom of the seventh strip (a red stripe). Be sure to press down the tape to seal around the edges.

Instruction Image #1

Using your chip brush, apply two coats of Americana Chalky Finish Paint in Rouge.

Instruction Image #2

Before the second coat of red paint has dried, carefully remove the painter's tape to reveal the alternating red and white stripes on your flag.

Instruction Image #3

Once the red paint has dried completely, apply painter's tape around the around the area where your blue-and-white field of stars will be.

Apply 50 foil star stickers. Your first row will have six stars, your second row will have five stars, your third row will have six stars... and so forth.

You will have five rows with six stars and four rows with five stars, staggered and alternating, for a total of 50 stars. Use the photo above or an American flag to ensure accurate placement.

Press down on the stars to seal the edges.

Instruction Image #4

Using your chip brush, apply two coats of American Decor Chalky Finish Paint in Legacy over the foil stars. Brush in one direction to prevent paint from seeping under the stickers.

Instruction Image #5

Normally, it's best to remove stencils and painter's tape before the paint has dried completely. But for this project, I recommend that you wait for the blue paint to dry before removing the stars so you don't smudge them.

Using your fingers, carefully peel away the star stickers.

You may need to use an artist's paintbrush, dipped in Americana Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting, to touch up your stars and any areas where you may have mixed the other paint colors.

Instruction Image #6

Distress lightly with a sanding block. Wipe away the dust and use your wax brush to apply a coat of American Decor Creme Wax in clear to the entire surface of the tray. Allow to dry and buff with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Instruction Image #7

To give your hand painted tray an antiqued, vintage look, apply a light coat of Americana Decor Creme Wax in Deep Brown. Wipe away and buff.

Instruction Image #8

I think this project is a great way to show your patriotism, and it's a great to use in your Fourth of July decorating and entertaining.