I have joined up with more than 30 AMAZING bloggers to tackle the challenge of creating a patriotic project or recipe without using the traditional red, white and blue color scheme! How fun is that?! For the next four weeks, all 30+ projects will be shared on some of the most awesome blogs around. I can’t wait to see all of the inspirational projects and hope YOU will find some inspiration as well. We’re also giving our amazing readers a chance to win a $310 Target gift card! The giveaway begins today and runs until July 4th. You’ll be able to enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter Widget at the end of this post.
For this challenge, I chose to create some outside decor. It’s certainly patriotic, but it can also stay up year round, which I love!
I went to Home Depot and purchased four 6′ cedar fence slats as well as a 2′ by 6′ sheet of corrugated metal. Both are pretty reasonably priced. The fence slats were around $1.50 each and the metal was around $11.
For the star, I grabbed a Sharpie and traced the shape out using a 22″ barn star that I had on a shelf in the house. It was just the right size for this project.
To cut the star, I used a grinder with a metal cutting blade. It got a bit tricky on the inside points of the star and I went a little too far a few times, but this is the beauty of making things rustic. If it’s not perfect, who cares! The edges of the star were pretty sharp, so I used a sanding blade on the grinder to sand off the burrs and smooth things out a bit. I also used tin snips to snip the corners of the star off a bit and make them a little less of a poking hazard. Remember to keep yourself safe while doing this. I wore safety glasses and protected my hands with leather gloves.
I grabbed my fence slats and cut them down to 32″ long using my compound miter saw. If you don’t have one, you can always ask the friendly employees at Home Depot to cut them for you.
I had a scrap 1×2 board that I cut down to attach to the back of the boards. I cut these at around 22″ long and then attached them to the boards using glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails. After that side was nailed down, I flipped the entire piece over and added some more nails to the front to give it added strength and support. Just be sure that you are nailing into the 1×2 pieces and not missing them. I may have done that once or twice:)
I still had a can of Minwax Polyshades stain/polycrylic in Mission Oak leftover from our console table project, so I used that for the wood.
Since this is supposed to be rustic, I sanded the wood down and exposed some of the bare wood after the stain had dried. I used my orbital sander with 220 grit sandpaper to do the distressing. Then I grabbed my metal star and centered it on the finished wood.
To attach the star, I used 5/8″ galvanized roofing nails. I drilled pilot holes into the points of the star and then hammered the nails in.
Depending on where you plan to put this, you can add a chain, or wire to the back of it to hang it. Or, you can just set it on a shelf if you don’t plan to hang it.
I’m still debating on where exactly I want this to hang (out front or out back), but I’m leaning towards hanging it near our front door over our bench. Either way, I can’t wait to get it hung up! My brother-in-law has already requested one as well. I’ve also got plans for the extra corrugated metal that is left over. I love when I can get extra bang for my buck from a project!
Now it’s giveaway time!
Just follow the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for your chance to win a $310 Target gift card! Remember that the giveaway runs from today to July 4th! Just imagine all of the amazing things you could stock up on or the gorgeous home decor you could purchase!
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the great projects coming up later this week too, including Life on Virginia Street, Southern State of Mind, Paper & Fox and Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body.
What a great piece! I have the perfect spot on my porch for this metal star art. Love it.
Carmody recently posted…Father’s Day Gifts & $310 Target Gift Card Giveaway
Thank you Carmody! I’m planning to hang it on my front porch soon too:)
Seriously fantastic, Katie! I totally want to make one of these! I have never cut metal. Did you use a grinder to do it?
Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body recently posted…Patriotic Summer Blog Hop and $310 Target Gift Card Giveaway!
Thanks Tasha! I’m so glad you came up with this challenge. It was my first time cutting metal too, but it was actually really easy. I just used a grinder with a metal cutting blade on it:)
This is so great! I love it! My kids were born in Texas so I find that I love using a star in my decor. ~Sonya
Sonya~At Home with The Barkers recently posted…Summer Guest Blogger {Petticoat Junktion}
Thanks so much, Sonya! My husband is from Texas, and we both have a deep love for the state (we’re actually in TX on vacation), so I knew this project would be great to celebrate the fourth as well as send out some love to the Lone Star State the remainder of the year.
I almost always forget about corrugated metal when I’m at the home improvement store. I absolutely love how you put this piece together!!
Cannot wait to see what everyone else also has in store for this interesting no red, white, and blue challenge 😀
Trisha D. recently posted…#thriftscorethursday Wooden Pineapple Bowls
Thank you Trisha:) I have been itching for the chance to use corrugated metal for something and this blog hop challenge was the perfect excuse!
Awesome project! It’s no wonder your family wants you to make them one too! Pinning!
~ Ashley
Ashey @ 3 Little Greenwoods recently posted…Patriotic Summer Blog Hop & Giveaway!
Thank you:) Yes, I’ll have to make another one soon!
This is an awesome project Katie that is perfect all year round! Would be so perfect in a little boy’s room 🙂
Corey @ Tinysidekick recently posted…$310 Target Gift Card Giveaway {Patriotic Summer Blog Hop}
I never thought of that, but you are right! My oldest has an all-star bedroom, so this would be a fun addition!
Katie … I love this! I just bought some corrugated metal letters similar to this star. I guess I could have just made some, huh?!? Great idea!
Katie recently posted…Paper Bag Pinatas … Think Outside The Toy Box
Thanks Katie! Corrugated metal letters sound awesome!
Love the versatility of this project. Its patriotic yet subtle. Thank you for this great idea Katie I will be adding it to my list of projects!
Jennifer recently posted…Stain be Gone!
Thanks so much, Jennifer. That is exactly the look I was going for. I wanted to be able to have it out year round:)
So cool! I really like the combo of the metal and rustic wood. This is a definite “must do”! Thanks so much for sharing your amazing idea! 🙂
Kimm at reinvented recently posted…Updates From Where I Sat-The Master Bedroom
Thanks! This was my first metal project and I love it!
Katie this looks fabulous! I love the stain color you chose and how perfect this is for the 4th! I love it so much I’d leave it up all year round if I were you : )
Jodie @ sypsie designs recently posted…Moody Mondays: Bar Fun
Thanks Jodie! That’s definitely my plan:)
I’ve been away this week so I’m late to stop in to the party. But I just wanted to say that I love this! You did a fabulous job – the corrugated metal is a great touch!
Karen @ a house full of sunshine recently posted…Summer blog hop and a $300 target gift card giveaway!
Thanks Karen!
You did such a wonderful job with this Katie, totally love it!! You so crafty! I hope you have a great weekend!
Courtney @ Crafts by Courtney recently posted…An Adorable Bee-themed Craft Party for Kids
I love this. I would have never thought to make something out of that corrugated metal. I love that stuff.
Lauren @ If It’s Not Baroque recently posted…I’m Back with a Big Announcement
Thank you! I’ve been wanting to try something with it, and this blog hop was my perfect excuse:)