Family, Fun, Food, and Fireworks!

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.  You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."  ~Erma Bombeck

What says summer more than spending time with family and celebrating those things which we value most. Here are some ideas to help you plan fun events and create lasting memories!

First we have a 4th of July Invitation!

INSTRUCTIONS:  

Print invitation on cardstock, trim to size and mat on cardstock. Die-cut Sandal from patterned papers, layer and adhere to invitation. Die-cut Stars out of cardstock, embellish with glitter and adhere to Sandals using foam dots. Embellish with ribbon.

And what about decorations? Every good party needs some fun decorations to spice things up. How about a cute centerpiece for your tables?

INSTUCTIONS:

Die-cut Stars out of acrylic and paper-covered chipboard. Embellish acrylic with paint pens. Die-cut Rectangle from chipboard. Use texture plate to emboss white-core colored cardstock and sand to highlight. Attach to rectangular chipboard. Punch two holes in rectangle. Punch holes into Star points, matching up to holes in rectangle. Punch one hole into smaller Stars. Use Textured Impressions folders to emboss paper. Die-cut Stars from paper and distress with distressing ink. Attach Stars and photos to pages. Die-cut the word “July” from paper and attach to album. Embellish with sayings, buttons and brads. Use binder rings to attach Stars to rectangular chipboard. Tie ribbons onto rings. Hand-cut flame from paper. Attach to a small strip of acrylic. Glue acrylic strip to back side of album. Ruffle tissue paper and adhere to back side of flame. Embellish flame and ruffle with distressing ink and glitter glue.

Or how about a Hero Sign to remember those who served, are serving, or are yet to serve in the defense of those things we treasure?  

"All gave some, some gave all." ~Howard Osterkamp of Dent, commander of Chapter 3620 and a Korean War veteran.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Adhere various papers to cardstock. Die-cut Album Pages from cardstock and embellish with buttons, pieces of printed paper and distressing ink. Apply stitching to edges if desired. Die-cut Stars and sentiment from paper-covered chipboard and apply distressing ink. Add pen details and glitter. Adhere to Album pages. Die-cut the word “our” out of colored cardstock and adhere to page. Attach all pages to a strip of chipboard. Punch holes in ends and tie on ribbon.




Here's a neat idea: A decorative pillow!  Did you know that your Sizzix tools can cut fabric as well as cardstock and paper?

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut strips of fabric for stripes. Stitch together with seams always facing up. Attach square to side of stripes in the same manner. Cut a piece of fabric the same size as the front. Stitch three sides together with seams still facing outward. Wash and dry pillow cover to create the chenille look. Insert batting into pillow and machine stitch closed. Die-cut two Stars from fabric and one from batting. Assemble batting between two Stars and stitch around edges. Sew button into center of Star. Attach to pillow with hot glue or by sewing.

Note: A store-bought pillow can work as well. Just create Stars and attach to pillow as instructed above. 

Aren't you just so excited for the holidays? Family, fun, food, and best of all, the fireworks! We're looking forward to it :) 

What about you? What are your plans for crafting this 4th of July? Leave us a comment and let us know what you're planning!

"Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better."  ~Albert Camus