Stars and Stripes Ice Bucket

Pattern

Materials Needed:

3/4" flat brush
Chenille stems from Darice (pipe cleaners)—red, white, blue, gold
Galvanized wire, #19
Glitter
Metal bucket, 12-qt.
Sanding block or find sandpaper
Styrofoam®: (2) 1-1/4" balls and (4) stars from Dylite®
Utility sponge
Vinegar
X-acto™ knife

Instructions:

For best results, please read all instructions before beginning project. Refer to photo for color and design placement.

1. | Wash bucket in sudsy water; rinse. Let dry. Sand outside to take off sheen; wash again. Let dry.
2. | Mix equal parts vinegar and water and wipe mixture on pail. Cure for two days.
3. | Trace two large, two medium and three small star patterns on the Design Your Own stencil. Cut out with X-acto knife.
4. | Cut six pieces of wire approximately 23" long and poke into Styrofoam stars and balls. Secure with Foamtastic. Let dry.
5. | Paint stars and balls White. Let dry.
6. | Paint stars (except one) True Red and Electric Blue. Leave one White.
7. | Tie two pipe cleaners together; wind half around paint bottle and half around a more narrow object such as a highlighter pen to curl.
8. | Brush a small amount of Foamtastic on centers of stars and around balls; sprinkle with glitter.
9. | Using sponge, base coat cured bucket White. Let dry. Repeat process.
10. | Trace a wavy stripe pattern on pail.
11. | Apply star stencils in the area that will be painted Electric Blue.
12. | Using brush, paint True Red stripes.
13. | Paint Electric Blue next to white stripes and sponge in remaining blue over the star stencil.
14. | Use X-acto knife to lift up and remove stencil.
15. | Tie pipe cleaners, stars and balls in the hole where handle joins pail.
16. | For a protective finish, apply 1-2 coats of Matte Varnish