Supply List:

• Advice from a Flag Napkin Art Canvas Kit 
• Mod Podge Matte
• Plastic Deli Sheets
• Gold Uniball Pen
• Krylon Gold Leafing Pen
• Stickles
• Liquid Glue
• Chalk Ink – Blueberry Bliss
• Hot Glue 

Create a beautiful patriotic canvas using napkin art, ribbon, Mod Podge, and simple embellishments. This Advice from the Flag canvas is perfect for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, summer decorating, or as a thoughtful handmade gift for someone who loves red, white, and blue decor.

This project uses a 6×6 chunky canvas, a custom Advice from the Flag napkin, a distressed denim napkin, sparkly ribbon, wooden stars, and gold accents to create a meaningful patriotic shelf sitter! Grab the kit, so you have everything you need to get started!

Step 1: Apply the Main Napkin Design

Start by cutting out one square of the Advice from the Flag napkin. Separate the napkin plies until only the top printed layer remains. This is important because napkin art only works properly with that thin top layer.

Brush a healthy coat of Mod Podge Matte over the front of the canvas. Lay the napkin gently onto the canvas, using the white border to help center it. Place a deli sheet or plastic wrap over the top and smooth gently, starting with the words and working out toward the edges.

Once the napkin is smoothed in place, dry it completely with a heat tool or allow it to air dry. When it is dry, use a small piece of sandpaper to remove the excess napkin from the edges of the canvas. Sand lightly until the extra tissue comes away cleanly.

Step 2: Add the Denim Napkin to the Sides

Cut the distressed denim napkin into 1 1/2-inch strips to fit around the sides of the chunky canvas. Remove the extra napkin plies, then apply Mod Podge to one side of the canvas.

Place the denim strip onto the side and smooth it with plastic wrap. Continue around all four sides of the canvas, using the fold of the napkin when possible to wrap neatly around the corners. Dry and sand away any excess napkin.

Step 3: Seal the Canvas

Apply a thin top coat of Mod Podge over the front and sides of the canvas. This protects the napkin art and gives everything a finished look. Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Ink the Edges

Use a blue chalk ink, such as Blueberry Bliss, to lightly ink around the edges and corners of the canvas. This helps hide any white edges and blends the denim napkin beautifully into the rest of the design. After inking, heat set the edges so the ink bakes into the Mod Podge finish.

Step 5: Add Gold Details

Use a gold gel pen or metallic paint pen to trace the frame around the Advice from the Flag design. This adds shine, dimension, and a polished finish to the center of the canvas.

Then use a gold paint marker to edge the wooden stars. Color the sides first, then lightly outline the front edges so the stars have a pretty metallic border.

Step 6: Add Ribbon Around the Canvas

Wrap the sparkly ribbon around the sides of the canvas, starting at the bottom. Use a small amount of hot glue to secure it in place, keeping the ribbon centered along the side edge. Work around the canvas, adding tiny amounts of glue as needed, and overlap the ends at the bottom.

Step 7: Create the Top Bow

Tie the navy stitched ribbon into a bow using two loops, then adjust the tails so they sit nicely. Tie the red, white, and blue striped ribbon into a smaller bow.

Glue the navy bow to the top center of the canvas, making sure the bow faces forward. Then glue the striped bow in front of it for a layered patriotic look.

Step 8: Add the Wooden Stars

Glue one wooden star to the center of the bow and another near the lower right corner of the canvas. Angle the stars slightly so they feel playful and dimensional.

If you want extra sparkle, add Diamond Stickles to the white center of the stars or along the gold frame.

Step 9: Add Gold Star Confetti

Finish the canvas by adding gold star confetti around the design. Use small dots of craft glue and place the stars with tweezers or small pliers. Add as many or as few as you like. The glue will dry clear and leave the stars looking like they are floating across the canvas.

This Advice from the Flag canvas is a beautiful patriotic craft for summer decorating, gift giving, or honoring someone who has served. The combination of red, white, blue, denim texture, gold accents, and sparkly ribbon makes it feel festive and meaningful without being complicated.

Display it on a shelf, tiered tray, desk, mantel, or entryway table from Memorial Day through Labor Day…or all year long as a sweet reminder to fly high with purpose, be bold and brave, and let freedom wave.Want more napkin art projects like this? If you loved this technique, you’ll love learning inside the Napkin Club, where I teach napkin art projects, creative techniques, seasonal crafts, and tons of inspiration using napkins in fun, unexpected ways. Join the Napkin Club here and craft along with us!