July 4th at Our House!

This is a festive inexensive project that anyone of any age can do. It is a paper sack. You cut out a heart. Then you moosh up the sack and get it soaking wet. Iron it then line out your stripes and square for the blue. I used a stencil for the stars. Paint it. Let dry, then stiple or flip blue and white paint all over on it - this really makes the mistakes unseeable (is that a workd?). Then using a paper punch , punch the edges and weave jute in and out. Leave about 4 inches un sewn an stuff with plastic grocery bags. When it is as puffy as you want it, finish sewing shut. Add raffia and jute to hang and you are done! We did these 4th of July blocks for a girls night a couple of years ago - they are a fun and fast project. All you do is trace the blocks on scrapbook paper, glue and embellish.
This is the front room fireplace area.

These little guys are on the mantle on the left side. Our children made them about 1985. They are from toilet paper tubes. They are my favorite decorations - I think they are adorable. I am actually going to put them in a shadow box frame because I want to perserve them, they have become heriloom. Isn't it amazing how these types of things turn into treasures.

This is the centerpiece on the hearth. The picture frame has a picture of our 5 kids all in there 4th of July shirts about 8 years ago before anyone was married. This is a centerpiece in the corner of the living room. very fextive - all the centerpiece has in it are sparkly pipcleaners twisted with flage put in it - a fun quick easy lightweight cetnerpiece that survives the wind.

Our entry area looking from the main part of the house to the living room and front door area.

China hutch in the dining area. One of the decorations in the hutch is a cookbook I made with all of our favorite 4th of July recipes. - I love the 4th of July!

Hope you have a wonderful 4th! Be safe!
God Bless America!