DIY Country Décor For the 4th of July

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It’s hard for me to believe that the 4th of July is nearly here.  I’m hoping for a warm and sunny day with lot’s of good food and drink, along with a clear and starry night complete with fireworks and a roaring campfire to finish it off. 

To help make this Independence Day more festive I made this simple garland.  This decoration can be custom made to fit around any votive holder. 

If you’d like the instructions on how to make this decoration then click here.   I made a similar version (minus the buttons) for Valentine’s Day.  The only difference between the two is that the 4th of July garland has color coordinated buttons between every piece of material and the Valentine’s Day garland does not.

How do you want to celebrate your 4th this year?  Remember, if you aren’t hosting this years 4th celebration this would make a great hostess gift!

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Country Candle Ring for Valentine’s Day

I love handmade primitive country crafts but I cringe at the price of them.  It’s understandable why they are a bit pricey though;  considering the time that goes into making them.  For me, I DIY it every chance I get. 

This fabric rag garland candle ring is simple and inexpensive to make.  The only thing you will need is some spare time since there is cutting, knotting, and threading to be done.

I used 3 different pieces of scrap material that I had on had for this project. 

1.) Start by cutting strips of material 12” long by 1” in wide.

2.) Cut the 12 “ strips of material into thirds.  I didn’t keep count of the number of strips I cut, I just kept cutting. The amount you will need will all depend on the size of garland you want.  

3.) Once you have cut all of your strips, tie a knot into the center of each one.  You may notice that some knots are tighter than others depending on the type of materials used.

4.) Once all of the knots have been tied, take a piece of embroidery string that is double in length of the size garland you want.  Knot one end, and thread an embroidery needle on the other end.  Run the needle through the center of each knotted piece of  material (in the order you decide on) onto the string. 

5.) Tie the end of the strings together for a candle ring, or if you are using this as garland to hang, just knot off the other end.

6.) Finish your project off by placing a glass candle holder (with candle) in the center of your ring.  Make sure you use a glass candle holder to house the candle and to avoid a fire.

This was probably one of the most inexpensive crafts I’ve ever made, and yet it’s so cute.  Remember, if I can do it, you can do it!

Click on the photo below to go to my 2012Valentine’s Day craft project (Paper Heart Garland).

 

 

Country Cute Valentine’s Day Garland

When I was in  high school, Valentine’s Day was centered around a huge carnation sale.   Every girl would anxiously watch to see who got the most red (I love you), pink (I like you), and white (just friends) carnations on that day.

Sadly, if I ever got a carnation it was from my mother who knew the toll the day usually took on me.  It wasn’t easy watching  some of the girls receive so many flowers that they needed a floral van to get them all home. 

Having gone through the pains of realizing I was never going to be one of those girls who needed a floral van, I am amazingly still a romantic at heart.   Lately, I have been aching to make a rich, chocolate dessert as a trial run for this years Valentine’s Day celebration.  However, I’ve also been trying to be good and avoid extra calories so I’ve limited myself to creating a non-fattening Valentine’s Day projects instead.  Please stick with me – one of these days my willpower will break and I will produce something much more irresistible than paper heart garland.  I promise!

For this project I used my Cricut. 

To make this project you will need:

Six – 4” hearts (as shown) cut from card stock

Six – 1” hearts (as shown) cut from a pretty print paper

Six – small strips of paper folded in half (glue on the back of each heart to string the rick rack through)

Six small buttons (you can use the same color, or mix and match like I did)

A Valentine’s theme stamp

Ink Pad

Embroidery thread

Thick needle

Rick Rack

Glue

Instructions:

Glue the small 1” hearts to the larger 4 “hearts.  Sew the buttons onto the 1” hearts.  Glue the small strips of paper to the backs of each 4” heart.  Stamp your 4” hearts last so you avoid smudging the ink.  Let everything dry thoroughly and string the hearts on a piece of rick rack that’s been cut to your desired length.

Are you a romantic?  Do you enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day?