I have joined up with more than 30 AMAZING bloggers to tackle the challenge of creating a patriotic project or recipe without using the traditional red, white and blue color scheme! How fun is that?! Starting last week and running through July 4th, more than 30 projects will be shared on some of the most awesome blogs around. I can’t wait to see all of the inspirational projects and hope YOU will find some inspiration as well.
These drink stirrers, which mimic fireworks, would make fun little additions to any 4th of July celebration. Plus, they fulfill two crucial requirements I have for DIY stirrers- they’re 1) easy and 2) quick to make, which is especially ideal if a lot of them are needed.
Materials:
–tinsel pipe cleaners
–paper straws
-wire cutters
See? Already so simple.
First, use wire cutters to cut each pipe cleaner into four, roughly even pieces. Shake off any excess tinsel that was cut.
Shove as many of these pipe cleaner pieces as you can into a straw (I was able to shove 9) and then bend each one into a downward curve.
That’s all there is to it. I swear. Makes me way too happy how such a simple craft can be so fun and festive. You too?!
I like how my first ever 4th of July project isn’t red, white and blue, which for me was an easy challenge since gold remains a viable option <3. I also LOVE the glint and gleam of the tinsel on the pipe cleaners. Really helps the imagination see them as fireworks ;)
Now, before you head out, be sure to check out the AMAZING projects that were shared last week!
1. USA Map by Paper & Fox
2. Let Freedom Ring Gold Art by Life on Virginia Street
3. Wood Shim Flag by Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body
4. Corrugated Metal Star Art by Addicted 2 DIY
5. Neutral Nautical Pallet Flag by Southern State of Mind
Yo! I’ve been itching to make a marquee sign for a long time now, and this summer season is finally kicking me in the butt to do it since it makes a great summer decor piece. Now… there are a million and one marquee projects out there, and this one isn’t anything new, but I still had to do it, especially with how simple I knew it was going to be. I imagined it going above a bar cart, which I still don’t have (boo!), but for now I like it just hanging on the wall, and for potentially using it as party decor. Hey now!
I started by cutting out one side of each of the cardboard letters with an X-Acto knife. This was pretty easy to do and was a fairly neat process.
In the string lights packaging, the light bulbs were sitting in a cardboard tray, and I figured the holes in them would make the perfect tool to trace perfectly sized openings onto the cardboard letters. So, I cut one of them out to use as a tracing guide.
I did think about just doing one letter, or the widely beloved ampersand, but neither of those excited me more than this one. I don’t exactly remember how I thought of using this word, but it is one I use often, and I liked the playfulness of it. Seriously, it would work so well above a bar cart, right? In that case, I’d also add a “girl” marquee beneath it ;). That’s something I say a lot, too! And not just a Ryan Gosling tribute.
You guys. I love this tote. And the beach. Can I just quickly talk about this photo, which is one of my favorite photos ever for this blog? My beach day photographer (boyfriend) had me standing still here and told me to wait, which I reluctantly did, only to find out later that he was waiting for the surfer dudes to enter the shot in the back. Isn’t that neat?? Good job, boyfriend <3.
First, iron out the pieces of fabric. The rest of the steps will be done to each of these pieces. Fold back about one inch of the fabric on one of the sides that’s 27 inches long and iron it down. Apply the Unique Stitch underneath the fold and glue it down, then glue the fabric pieces together face to face, making sure the edges that were previously folded and glued are matched up (this is the opening of the bag). All three of the other edges should be glued together.
Next, all you do is hammer a grommet shut through each hole. NOTE: The way I’m doing it in the photo is incorrect. The side you hammer will be the back of the grommet, so you should set it up so that you’re hammering from the back side of the fabric, not the front like I’m doing in the photo. The layers from bottom to top are the cutting block, grommet, fabric, washer, handle, and hammer.
Finally (finally!) pull both ends of a 3 foot piece of rope through the grommets on one side of the bag and tie them into knots. Repeat on the other side. Apply super glue into all the crevices of each knot to secure them in place.
Yes, I did actually take it with me to the beach and it was perfect. So much room and it fit everything I needed and more (snacks, snacks, and more snacks). Here was my little set-up, just for fun.
Guys, this is the first time I’ve ever owned a beach umbrella and it is a game changer. My intolerance for the sun and turning into a lobster is no longer a concern and now I can comfortably stay on the beach all day. How did I not know that the solution was so easy? Thank you, last minute Walgreens umbrella impulse buy!
I got the fabric and cardboard “A” from Joann Fabrics, and all I did was trace every side of the monogram onto the fabric with a pencil and cut each piece out. For the inner edges and hole in the A, I measured the needed length and cut out a piece of fabric first, then marked in pencil where I’d need to cut the width. After all the pieces were cut, I used a foam brush and Mod Podge to glue them all on to the monogram, then applied Mod Podge over all the fabric as a final protective coat.
Per my usual, preferred crafting style, I kept it really simple and easy, which I think was best for this floral fabric to be the star of the show. I freaking love it. Floral is a pattern I will always love, and the bright colors on this one are spreading some much welcomed summery vibes. I can’t stop looking at it, which is all I wanted to do in the first place- success!
June already!! I know, I say that about every month (and I say THAT after I say that about every month), but it’s seriously insane how we’re already fast approaching the half-way point of this year. Thinking about it that way really puts into focus how fast time is flying, right?
I recommend wearing gloves if you want to get hands-in with the string and possibly adjust it after you’ve slathered it in glue. First, wrap three layers of plastic wrap around a bowl. I saw later that the extra layers really help with the removal process of the layer that comes in contact with the string. Next, slather on Mod Podge over the plastic wrap. This will help the string stick on to the bowl.
Let the bowl dry completely, then pull down at the plastic wrap while holding the edge of the bowl to remove the string bowl, rotating it so that you pull at every edge and angle. If I were to do this again, I’d probably spray a light coat of cooking spray on the bowl for easier removal, but you can do without it with just a little bit of patience. Remove the plastic wrap, then tape on a design of your choice. I kept it really simple and just spray painted the rims of the bowls, using painters tape and foil to cover the bottom of the bowl.
Aside from being functional, they make a cute, summery display when filled with fruit. I can see myself also using the smallest one as a catch-all, though I already have a bunch around the apartment. Having a container everywhere to throw random knick knacks into is my favorite way of “organizing”.