Patriotic 2 x 4 Fun

    I'm thinking ahead to the upcoming Fourth of July Festivities and I realized that I need a few more accents for my mantle. I'm starting with this. It was quick and fun to throw together with my stash of wood, fabric and odds 'n ends! Start with a 2 x 4 and some paint, a little sandpaper, and a torn homespun fabric bow. Finish with some cinnamon sticks, leaves, berries and rusty stars. How simple is that? It's about 7" square, so it's a nice filler for the mantle layout I'm working on. I started with an idea from here: http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2010/08/flag-blocks.html (thanks Kierste). I wanted mine a little more even to fit together better, so I trimmed the blocks I used for the star and glued the pieces I cut off between the two blue blocks. Now it is closer to even and square and the same thickness top to bottom. The blocks don't shift at all when  moving and the fabric covers the seam and filler between the blue blocks, so it looks like one big block. I like it. If a more primitive look is your thing, go with the brown paper packages model!