I love to decorate for the Fourth of July. LOVE it, I tell you. I love it so much that my family room is done in Americana all year round: the walls are navy blue, we have this print hanging on the wall and above it I have a vinyl lettering phrase that reads "God Bless America." I have a wreath with rusty stars and flag pillows and I just love it! In June I get out the rest of my patriotic decor in time for Flag Day and I leave it up until the end of July so I can enjoy it for a while. Because I've had so much fun decorating, I thought I'd post a few of my favorite red, white, and blue things this year:
**I'm running out of time, but still hoping that maybe I can get some of the projects in the July Country Living done before we leave to go out town on Thursday. It's a tall order, we'll see. I really love those rosettes and I've already bought all the crepe paper so I need to get crackin'!
**We all know that I love cupcakes, but festive and patriotic cupcakes are even better! Look at these cuties here and here from the Wilton website. The first one with the fireworks looks tricky with that fancy tip but the second one using a star tip probably isn't as difficult.
**These red, white and blue candies from Hammond's are making my heart go pitter-pat! I think I may need to make a quick drive up tomorrow morning to check them out in person. Isn't the flag ribbon candy neat? And those great big round lollipops--wouldn't they look great displayed with a big red ribbon on the sticks? I want it all. Bad.
This cute pillow by Bethany Lowe Designs. Heck, I love her whole July 4th line. There's also a matching table runner.
**This last one isn't exactly red, white and blue but I think it goes along with the theme. For an upcoming church activity I'm in charge of coordinating donations for care packages to be sent to deployed military service members. I went to AnySoldier.com to compile my list of requested items and was very touched by the simple requests that so many of the soldiers & Marines have made, and their responses telling just how grateful they are for the packages that they have received. I think I'm going to make a personal goal to send one package per month to someone on the list. We have friends who are deployed and I know we need to be better about sending some mail love to them too. I encourage all of you to think about putting together a care package for a soldier in honor of July 4th--it doesn't take much to stuff a Flat Rate Priority box good and full, and I know that it would be appreciated!
And now off to bed! I've got to get up bright and early for my field trip to Hammond's. :)
Have I ever told you how jealous I am that you live within driving distance to Hammonds?!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for thinking of the soldiers...my hubby is deployed and while he gets tons of "mail love" from us and his extended family, I know there are a lot of guys that don't and it really bums them out. I wish more people would reach out to these guys and lift them up with a little token from the homefront. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a chance to answer your email yet, but I think I just am out of time and am not going to get anymore of the crepe paper things made!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to visit that website for a long time, thanks for reminding me! I am taking up your suggestion and putting together a care package as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the Country Living projects, can't wait to see yours!
Those cupcakes are great! The one really looks like a firecracker! Have lots of fun getting ready for July 4th! Our big day is July 1st :)
ReplyDeleteOh, the cupcakes are sooo inspiring! Gotta make me some for the 4th! I have enjoyed seeing what you have learned in your cake decorating class. I have always wanted to take a class too! Maybe...
ReplyDeleteAdd me to your list of people who has a red, white and blue rom too! Especially amidst my pink oasis of a house! Lori
ReplyDeleteI'm working on my screen porch to be red, white, and blue. I love those colors and patriotic themes.
ReplyDeleteI also have a friend deployed and we send him a flat rate box every month. I'd love to send others boxes. It is easy and so important. I'm going to check the website out.
Cheers! LA
So glad we are swap partners! :)
I love that crepe paper banner in country living. Make it quick so we can see it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you listed the any soldier web site. My husband was in Desert Storm and he recieved so many letters of support from people he didn't know but who let him know they supported him. I fear that because this war is not as heavily covered as Desert Storm the soldiers might not be getting as much support from the home front
So much inspiration for patriotic decoration!!!
ReplyDeleteHave you been watching Army Wives?
I love decorating for the 4th also, it's so much and patriotic. If you don't know, Hobby Lobby has all their 4th of July stuff 50% off right now, so if you want to add more to your decor, go stock up! :) (I'm also a Fall Freak, I go crazzzy for fall. LOL)
ReplyDeleteI have a candle making business, so I'm getting ready for my triple scented red/white/blue candles. So much fun.. also, LOVE the cupcakes. :)
Kim
We got married on July 3, and I LOVED injecting the stars and stripes into our day. We had red bridesmaids dresses, I carried red roses, the church flowers were red white and blue. I gave out stars and stripes tootsie rolls in favor bags for the hotel room. I am sure there were other things that I have now forgotten. I am with you on this!
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