Turn a Dollar Tree wood plaque into a beautiful patriotic door hanger using a vintage-style calendar page, Mod Podge, and a wood bead hanger. This easy decoupage craft is perfect for summer and Fourth of July decorating.
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How to make a 4th of July door hanger embellished with a calendar page and Mod Podge.
If you’ve been spotting those new wooden plaques at Dollar Tree, you’re not alone! The moment I saw them, I knew they had crafting potential written all over them. For this project, we’re turning one of those inexpensive wood plaques into a gorgeous patriotic door hanger using a calendar page image, a little Mod Podge, and a wood bead hanger.
The best part? This technique creates a smooth, wrinkle-free finish that’s much easier than traditional decoupage methods. Whether you’re decorating for the Fourth of July, summer, or simply love Americana decor, this project is an easy and budget-friendly way to add some charm to your home.
Video Tutorial: Patriotic Calendar Page Door Hanger
Watch this quick video to see how this craft came together:
Patriotic Calendar Page Door Hanger
Create a charming red, white, and blue farmhouse-style sign with a Dollar Tree wood plaque and a calendar page image. This wrinkle-free decoupage method gives professional-looking results every time.
Materials
- Dollar Tree wood plaque (oval shape used here)
- Calendar page with a patriotic or summer-themed image
- Matte Mod Podge
- Navy blue acrylic paint
- Red, white, and blue wood bead garland
- Two small screw eye hooks
- Twine (if not included with beads)
Tools
- Mini heat press or household iron (no steam)
- Craft scissors
- Paintbrush
- Pin vise hand drill
- Pencil (optional)
- Parchment paper
Instructions
- Watch the video. Follow along with the video tutorial for a step-by-step walkthrough of how to make your own 4th of July door hanger.
- Apply Mod Podge to the Plaque. Begin by covering the front surface of the wood plaque with a generous coat of Mod Podge. There's no need to cover the outer edge since you'll paint that later.
Set the plaque aside and allow the Mod Podge to dry completely before moving on to the next step. - Prepare Your Calendar Page. Choose the portion of the calendar image you'd like to display. For this project, a vintage-style July calendar page featuring berries and a mason jar floral arrangement created the perfect patriotic look.. Center the image over the plaque. Use your fingers to crease the paper around the edge of the plaque. This creates a guide for cutting.
- Cut Out the Image. Using craft scissors, carefully follow the crease line around the calendar page.
Take your time and rotate the paper as needed. The crease will serve as a perfect cutting guide and help ensure your image fits the plaque exactly. - Attach the Calendar Page. Place the cut calendar image onto the dried Mod Podge-coated plaque. Cover the image with parchment paper and use a mini heat press or an iron set to no steam. The heat reactivates the Mod Podge underneath, creating a smooth finish without bubbles, wrinkles, or warping.
- Paint the Border. Paint the outer edge of the plaque. A navy blue border complements patriotic decor perfectly, but feel free to choose a color that matches your calendar image. Allow the paint to dry completely.
- Add Hanging Hardware. Use a pin vise hand drill to create two evenly spaced pilot holes near the top of the plaque. Twist a screw eye hook into each hole until secure. These will hold the wood bead hanger.
- Create the Wood Bead Hanger. Cut a section from a red, white, and blue wood bead garland. Dollar Tree often carries seasonal bead garlands, making this an inexpensive option. Thread the twine ends through the screw eye hooks and tie them securely with simple square knots. For a vertical plaque like this one, a shorter hanger tends to look more balanced and proportional.
- Display Your Finished Sign. Your patriotic calendar page door hanger is finished! Hang it on your front door, display it on a gallery wall, or add it to a bookshelf by hanging it from a decorative hook. It's a simple project that looks far more expensive than the supplies used to make it.
Tips for Success
Use Clearance Calendars
Stock up on calendars when they go on clearance during summer. The images can be used year-round for decoupage projects.
Try Different Themes
This technique works with much more than patriotic decor. Use floral calendars for spring, pumpkins for fall, Christmas scenes for winter, or vintage farmhouse images for everyday decorating.
Experiment with Shapes
Oval plaques work beautifully, but this method can also be used on rounds, rectangles, cutting boards, and other wood surfaces.
The Finished Craft
PIN this Craft for Later:
More Patriotic Dollar Tree Crafts You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this project, be sure to check out these other red, white, and blue craft ideas: