1. As necessary, sand and seal heart shape. As necessary, sand again to remove any wood grain that may have raised. Wipe off any residue with very slightly damp sponge.
2. Transfer pattern using stylus and white graphite paper. (Don't transfer star shape or accent lines that overlay the red stripes.)
3. Basecoat in red (Santa Red), white (Titanium White), and blue (True Blue) areas using flat brush. Two coats may be necessary.
4. When basecoats are thoroughly dry, transfer star shape using white graphite. It's not necessary to transfer the inner filler lines.
5. Using liner, with slightly thinned Titanium White, outline the outer edges of the star. When dry, thin paint further, then very lightly pull the filler lines from the center of the star to the outer edges.
6. Using larger end of stylus and full-strength Titanium White, place dot in center of star. Then using the smaller end of stylus, carefully place smaller dots evenly on outside edge of star. So that each dot is precise and the same size as all other dots, dip the stylus in the paint puddle for each dot and wipe any paint residue off of the stylus between each dot.
7. Slightly thin Fiery Red Hot Shot, then, using your liner, pull slanted lines over the top of each red stripe. While it's not necessary that these be absolutely precise, try to space them as evenly as you can while maintaining the same slant.
8. Using your flat brush, overstroke each white stripe with Pearl.
9. Using Graphite paint that is well-blended onto the side of your flat brush, float the shadow on the back of the flag fold. (This is the upper-edge of the divider between the top and bottom halves of the stripes. You may want to refer to the color photo for placement.)
10. Basecoat the outside edges of the heart shape with Emperor's Gold. Be sure to also cover the sides of the heart shape. Two coats may be required.
11. Using slightly thinned Emperor's Gold and your liner brush, lightly outline each of the stripes and the horizontal dividing line between the bottom and top halves of the stripes.
12. Using the small point of the stylus, evenly space dots just to the inside of the gold border. As with the white dots on the star, be sure to dip into the paint for each individual dot and wipe off the stylus between each dot.
13. Glue the back onto the pin.
14. Using Graphite and your flat brush, paint back of pin.
15. Protect your beautiful work by varnishing both the front and back of pin with at least two coats of DecoArt DuraClear Gloss Varnish.

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