4th of July Food Idea's

I think Independence Day is becoming one of my favorite holidays!!

Here is my inspiration for this years festivities!

{Click on the picture below if you would like to visit the original site}

4th of July Lemonade

Yay for summer!!

 We kicked it of with a 4th of July BBQ. After seeing a post on riches for rags

 I got inspired to make my own version of "the milk bottle". 

Here is what I came up with:

My kids couldn't wait to get their hands on these!

They are pretty simple to make. Just make sure to keep them in a cool place until you are ready to serve them. The white chocolate will melt in the sun and run down your bottles {speaking from experience}.

 Happy Summer !!

4th of July Wreath

After seeing Landee's awesome wreath last year I just knew that I had to have one for myself! Check Landee's out at her blog Landee See, Landee Do. It was super simple to make and has endless possibilities! My sister and I both made one with the same supplies and used our own personal style and they both came out entirely different. We used styrofoam wreaths and small pins to hold the ribbon on so nothing is permanent, if you get sick of it you can remove everything and change it up! I'm thinkin I may have to make a similar one for Halloween. Luv it!

I can't wait to get out my firework jars that I made last year too!

 Just click here for the tutorial on these little babies!

Now it's time for some inspiration!!

Of course I had to show of Landee's wreath!

Don't these look yummy! Check them out at Tidy Mom

You have to check out The Hostess With The Mostess. Tons of great party idea's

I found these at An Altered State of Mind, these would be cute party favors.

Uh, yum. Theses are from the Noble Pig

I'm kinda thinkin I might be hungry right now because I'm posting all food pictures.

It's just that everything looks so yummy!

Check these strawberries out at Cupcakes Kisses 'n' Crumbs

 My sister made these strawberries last year and they were really good!

Visit Grin and Bake It for the instructions

Living Locurto, My kids would love these

I made these last year and they were a big hit! My advise to you is start looking for

blue jello before the 4th of July. I ended up going to 6 different stores last year on 

a blue jello hunt. Check out Brown Eyed Baker for the recipe.

4th of July chalk at From Glitter to Gum Drops

This cute popcorn pail is from Bloom Design, don't forget to vote for her at Circle of Mom's

she has a link where you can vote at the top of the blog post.

This list could just go on and on, there are so many creative idea's out there. I hope 

you enjoy these few.

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

Firework Centerpiece Tutorial

I came up with these cute fireworks after being inspired by Martha Stewart.
I made quite a few changes of my own but you've got to give credit where credit is due.

  Tools needed:

 

I choose to use 12x 12 glittered card stock for my fireworks, you can use whatever makes you happy.

I picked up red, blue and teal from Hobby Lobby. 1 12x12 sheet will make you 4 fireworks.

Start by cutting the card stock in half making 2-12x6 pieces.

I used a rotary cutter instead of scissors to make my cuts, either would work. Make 1/4 inch cuts leaving around and inch at the top uncut.

I slid my stick between a few layers just to show you what the cuts look like.

Here is the back side, its a little easier to see whats going on here without all that glitter.

Now cut that piece in half again, making 2- 6x6 pieces.

Pre-curl your paper before you glue it on the stick, very helpful step!

Use a shish kabob stick and super glue the paper around your stick. Just glue and roll as tight as you can.

Here is what it looks like when it's all rolled up.

I left some of my fireworks straight and I make some of them curl. Use a pencil or a pen and wrap the paper strips around it to make the curled effect.

Fireworks!!

Next I put my fireworks into canning jars, I liked the effect but you could use any jar or container you want.

Next I filled my jars 3/4 full of sand, again anything you want to use will work. I like that sand is heavy and my fireworks ,hopefully, wont fall over.

I ordered these cool 4th of July straws from Isakay Boutique on Etsy. 

I choose red & blue stars and red & blue stiped straws.

Take a straw and slide it onto your stick before you put the firework into the jar.

I put 5 fireworks into each of my jars.**update: I added a cute metal pinwheel to the center**

 

 Now to embellish your jar. I cut 2 circles out with my Sizzix. 

I ran the white circle through my crimper. I also cut out a star with one of 

my little star punches. All this can be done by hand if you don't have the right tools, 

well except the crimping.

I used hot glue to glue the ribbon around the jar. 

Just glue the backside not all the way around because it will look funny.

You can use tape if you want to reuse your jars later. 

I did not want the ribbon to come off while being moved so I used hot glue.

 

Now you're done!! What an awesome 4th of July center piece. 

I sure am excited to use mine. I actually made 5 jars for

the party we are having next weekend.

Here is where my inspiration came from Martha Stewart. 

They used vellum on theirs. I was after super sparkly that's why I choose

to use sparkly card stock. Like I've said before "whatever makes you happy".

I hope everyone enjoys their 4th of July. I will be living it up because

it is my last year to be in my twenty's, that's right 

I will be 29 on the 4th of July, {sad sigh}. 

I think I would like to be 20 forever, who wouldn't. Okay enough with the pitty party.

Happy 4th!