Firecracker Bookmark

Save your spot in your summer reading with these easy to make firecracker bookmarks! 

Red, White & Blue Star Shaped Wreath

 Get a jump start on some patriotic summer vibes with this festive star shaped red, white and blue wreath!

Quick and Easy 4th of July Painted Shoes

 Here's a quick and easy (last minute) way to show your patriotic pride for this years 4th of July!

All you need are a pair of white keds and some Sharpie stained markers. 

See the full tutorial here...

Stars and Stripes Patriotic Wreath

 I don't know about you, but anything patriotic gets me in the mood for a great summer!
To make this fun wreath, you will need the following:

8" Ruled Smoothfoam Wreath*
Red and blue craft paint
Paint brush
Patriotic fabric cut into 1" x 12" strips.

Use the handy ruled indents on the wreath to decide where you want your stars and stripes to be. Then paint those sections. When the paint is dry, start tying your strips of fabric. I alternated between tying the knots on the top and on the side of the wreath. This way you easily add volume to the wreath while covering up any bare paint spots.
For the stars, I used  15 strips of cloth.
For the stripes I used 40 strips of cloth. 

When done, tie a extra long strip at the top and hang for all to enjoy!
Visit here for more Smoothfoam wreath inspiration!

This post was sponsored by Smoothfoam.

Kick off Summer with a Star Spangled Wreath project!

You can see the full tutorial here. :)

Patriotic Cottage Mini-Book

Here's a "peek" of a cottage mini-book I made. It's SO cute. I just love it! I made the cottage reversible. Can you believe that? From the cottage roof to all the adorable details...you just have to check it out!
Come see me today on The Robins Nest blog and prepare to be Inspired! :)

Freedom Resin Art

I'm so excited that you could come and visit me today! I just love anything and everything SteamPunk, don't you? I also love to work with resin and thought this piece would be nice and patriotic for the hop! Thanks to Leslie Rahye  for a great theme!

To make this Steampunk piece, you will need the following: 

1. Amazing Mold Putty.
2. Amazing Clear Cast Resin.
3. Silver Alumilite Metalic powder.
4. Fabric strips.
5. Letter beads.
6. Steampunk themed trinkets.
7. Something to make your mold, I used the wooden handle of a rubber stamp.
8. Small dry paint brush.
9. Scissors.
10. Toothpick and sandpaper.
11. Wax paper and old tray.
12. Mixing stick and small Dixie cups.
13. Metallic permanent markers, I used copper and gold.

1. If you are new to Amazing Mold Putty, I have a really great visual on how to mix the white and yellow mold putty here. You basically mix the two together, kneading it quickly until no traces of white appear. Then you form a square larger than your block. Press the block into about 3/4 of the way and pinch the corners of the mold 'snug' around your block. Let set about 15 minutes till hard. Pop out block.
2. Use your dry brush to apply the Alumilite to the entire inside of the mold. Use sparingly as a little goes a long way.
3. Set your mold on the wax paper and again onto a old tray.
4. Measure your Clear Cast Resin in the cups provided and then pour both into your Dixie cup. Mix completely with a mixing stick.
5. Pour a 'bit' of resin into the mold, using the toothpick to help get it into the corners.
6. Place your fabric strips into the mold, pressing them into the resin with the toothpick.
7. 'Color' any trinkets with the gold or copper pens to help make them look vintage if you want. The copper gear piece next to the key is really white plastic that I colored to look 'old'. :)
8. Pour in a little more resin and add your trinkets, moving them in place with the toothpick. If you happen to get resin on your hands, don't panic, alittle nail polish remover will clean up your hands just fine.
9. Add more resin until the trinkets are covered.
10. Place away from draft in a sunny spot if possible. My craft room was really warm the day I made this, so instead of the normal 48 hours cure time, is was done in just 24 hours!
11. Once set, pop out and sandpaper the sharp corners and anywhere else you see fit.

Then color the edges with your copper and gold pens. I used the copper to sign my name and date on the metallic back. I still have not decided if this will become jewelry or what. For know, I just like to look at it and add it to my shelf of SteamPunk creations!
Thanks for coming by, I hope you like this!
Please visit the rest of the Artists for more Red-White & Blue Steampunk Fun!

Red, White & Blue Jello!

You may have seen me post this once before, but I just had to re-share it once again! It's the best festive Jello recipe and is my post for today and tomorrows tutorial. Enjoy!

Not only is it fun to make, bit it looks so pretty when you cut it up! You can use any flavor, I chose strawberry and blue raspberry along with the sweetened condensed milk for the white layer…which ads a nice contrast and a delicious taste!

For each colored layer you’ll need:

• 1 -3 ounce package of gelatin flavored powered mix
• 1 package of unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup of boiling water

Starting with the first color, mix it with it’s 1 cup of hot water. Carefully sprinkle it with the plain packet of gelatin. After about a minute blend the two. If you just dump the plain packet into the pre-made mixture with hot water. it will clump up and be hard to blend.
Set this aside to come to room temperature while you start on the next color.

For the White layer

• 1-14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
• 4 packs of unflavored gelatin
• 2 cups of boiling water

In a separate bowl, pour in the boiling water then sprinkle the plain gelatin over it till it becomes absorbed.
Blend. Then add the milk.

Once all your colors have come to about room temperature, you can begin layering. Select your dish and make sure it’s clean. You can use a flat Pyrex dish and have the dessert be cut up into gelatin squares, or use a decorative mold like the copper ones I collect. Either way, add a thin layer of non-stick baking spray to the pan. Be sure to also find a flat spot in your fridge prior to making the layers!

To layer:
It takes approximately 7-10 minutes between layers to set. Pour in first layer. Refrigerate till firm. Not sure if it’s firm? You can do the “tilt” test. Tilt your dish to see if the gelatin needs to set a while longer, try to refrain from poking your gelatin with your finger or you’ll have odd holes in your dessert.
If you are a perfectionist, you might want to keep a list of each color as you add it. While you are waiting for your dessert to set up, the remaining stuff might firm up a bit, you can always nuke it in the microwave for a few seconds to keep it runny.
When you have completed all your layers and the dessert has rested in your fridge for at least 30 more minutes, then you can bring it out to serve. If using a mold, run warm water quickly over the bottom and then lay a plate over the top and quickly flip dessert over onto plate. You should hear a “sucking” sound as it releases from the mold. If you are using a flat dish, quickly run warm water over the bottom then cut with a knife and use your fingers to pry up cut squares.

Ta Da!

Happy 4th of July !