Summer time is synonomous with guests, and we love it! So why not honor your visitors, or give your gathering an extra special touch with home crafted flags? They're a great way to say "welcome!" and depending on how much outdoor space you have, you and/or the kids could create a stunning installation of colorful flags winding up your driveway, lining the path to your entrance, or even placed in pots next to the front door.
And if you happen to be entertaining away from home in a local park, these flags would be great markers to designate your picnic spot and help your guests find you!
You'll Need:
- wooden dowls, bamboo sticks, or even real sticks if you can find some straight ones
- large sheets of colorful paper
- glue or a glue stick
- scissors, strong clear tape such as packing tape
How-To:
- Determine the size of your flags and cut large triangles or notched squares from colored paper, making sure to leave a portion at the spine of the flag for wrapping around the dowl.
- Decorate the flags with cut paper designs, such as initials and simple shapes. Apply glue to paper shapes and apply shapes to flag.
- Coat the upper portion of the dowel with white glue and attach your flag, if the paper is heavy, you may need to secure the flag to the dowel with clothespins or bulldog clips until the glue dries.
- Once glue has dried, you may need to secure the back with wide clear packing tape or something similar to make sure flag stays attached to dowel.
- If desired write messages with permanent markers.
- Insert flag into soil, be it potted or actual earth, and wait for the ooos (how do you spell that?) and ahhhs as the guests arrive! Good job!
Take this idea and bring it to another level with your own creativity. There are so many ways to embellish
simple paper, so don't be shy, make something truly special and personal for your next summer gathering!
And afterwards you can use them as decorations in your home as a rememberance of a lovely time spent with friends and family.
Note: If you have kids that would love to make large versions of these for their fort or backyard hideaway,
give them broomsticks, cardboard boxes and paint. Cut the flag shapes for them, punch holes in the cardboard at the spine and tie flag onto post in at least 3 places. What fun!
