Coastal US Flag Map

Materials:

• Surface (I used a wooden map puzzle body, a cutting board, piece of plywood, etc, would work great)
• Painter's or masking tape
• Sandpaper
• Cosmetic sponges
• Paint: White, light blue, light mocha, cream
• White starfish
• White craft glue

Instructions:

1. I gave the surface a quick sanding, just enough to knock off any shine and to remove the words that were painted onto it.
   
   
   
   
    
2. Begin by taping off a section for the canton (upper left portion) of the flag. Use a cosmetic sponge dipped in light blue paint to apply paint to the canton area. Apply two coats, or more if needed to cover. Remove tape.
   
   
   
   
    
3. Tape off the stripes. Use cosmetic sponge to add white paint to the exposed striped areas. You will need 2-3 coats here. Remove tape. Allow the white paint to dry for about 30-40 minutes.
   
   
   
   
    
4. Tape over the white stripes to protect them from the next color.
   
   
   
   
    
5. Use a cosmetic sponge to apply light mocha paint to the exposed striped areas. Remove tape.
   
   
   
   
    
6. I painted the outer surface of my map puzzle with cream-colored paint. I then sponged on some white lightly over the top of the cream to give it a distressed look.
   
   
   
   
    
7. When everything is dry, sand the edges and surface until you are satisfied with the look. Use white craft glue to add the starfish to the canton.
   
   
   
   
    
8. When everything is dry, sand the edges and surface until you are satisfied with the look. Use white craft glue to add the starfish to the canton.
   
   
   
   
   
   

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