Today's step-by-step tutorial was created by Gillian Nelson (Blog: Gillian Nelson | Instagram: @gnelson05 | Pinterest: @gilliann | Twitter: @GillianNelson05)
Supplies: Shimelle True Stories (370704) – Grey Floral Paper, (370719) – Berry Infusion Paper; Gems (IR002267) – I-Rock Adhesive Gems; Paint – CraftSmart; Sealer – Mod Podge; Gel Medium – Liquitex; Spray Mount – Scotch; Die Cut Machine – Silhouette Cameo
Trim the True Stories (red diagonal) Berry Infusion paper into three 4×4 squares. Cut or punch several star shapes out of the (navy blue) Grey Floral paper. Cut the letters “USA” from white cardstock.
Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge on three 4×4 canvases.
Apply a square of the red paper to each of the canvases and allow to dry.
Spray the back side of each of the USA letters with temporary adhesive spray. Allow a few minutes to pass so that they become tacky and then apply each letter to a canvas, roughly centering the letter within the space.
Brush a thin coat of white paint over the entire surface of each canvas. (I mixed some heavy gel medium into my paint first as I was concerned that the inexpensive craft paint would be too thin.) Keep the coverage relatively light so that some of the patterned paper still shows through.
Once the paint has dried, carefully remove the letters from the canvases revealing the bright patterned paper beneath.
Brush a coat of Mod Podge on the backs of the navy blue stars and apply the stars to the canvases. Give the adhesive a couple of minutes to set and then apply a thin coat of the Mod Podge over the entire surface of the canvases. Allow to dry.
Paint the edges of the canvas with navy blue paint and once dry, apply a coat of Mod Podge to the painted edges.
Adhere gems to the stars using a liquid craft glue and then proudly display.