Decor Delights - Free Design (Happy Birthday Card)

Frayed Flag on a Brick
Copyright © Melinda Frewin 2005
May be used for fun and profit and teaching in class. No mass or commercial reproduction
without consent from Melinda Frewin or Decor Delights, Thank you.

The brick I used for my project was from my neighbor's house. It had been torn down to be replaced with a new home. I saw this brick and thought it looked like a worn and frayed flag. I've had this out on my patio for 2 years and the paint still looks as fresh as the day I painted it.

SUPPLIES
Surface:
Brick with a smooth side.

Acrylic Paint:
Opaque Red, White, Blueberry ~ Delta Ceramcoat

Mediums:
All Purpose Sealer ~ Delta Ceramcoat
Fine Crackle Finish ~ Delta Ceramcoat
Exterior/Interior Satin Varnish ~ Delta Ceramcoat

Stencil:
Large star

Tools:
Hammer, safety glasses, soap & water, scrub brush, pencil, ruler, paper towels.

Brushes:
1" flat ~ Black Gold by Dynasty
#12 flat ~ Black Gold by Dynasty
foam brush
scruffy/stipple brush
stencil brush

PREP
1. Wear safety glass, go outside, chip off corners and distress edges of brick with hammer.
2. Scrub the brick clean with soap and water. Rinse well and let dry.
3. Brush on All Purpose Sealer where the paint will be placed. Let dry.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Free-hand draw the flag stripes and field on the brick using a pencil and ruler.
2. Base the field Blueberry.
3. Stencil star with White.
4. Mix Blueberry + White and stipple highlights on the field, around the star.
5. Paint Opaque Red stripes.
6. Mist Opaque Red + White and drybrush highlights across red stripes.
7. Sideload/float Blueberry around the entire edge.
8. Apply the crackle Step 1 and Step 2 following manufacturer's instructions.
9. After the cracks appear. Let the brick dry overnight. The brick tends to hold in moisture.
10. Make a wash of Blueberry with water. Have paper towels handy. Apply the wash over the entire brick and wipe off excess with paper towels. The idea is to get the wash into the cracks. Let dry.
11. Apply Exterior varnish. Let dry.

Enjoy!