2015 Patriotic Mantle

Kept things simple with this year's Patriotic mantle.  

We are in prep mode for vacation so simple was the way to go!

My church's ladies group had a paint night in June and we painted a patriotic version of Starry, Starry Night and the instructor added our new sanctuary!  She was very kind and gave me one of hers (she painted an example and then painted one with us) so I have one for my new office!

 So excited about that! 

Wishing you and yours a safe and fun 4th!!

2014 Patriotic Mantle

I love having a mantle! This is the only space I decorated for the 4th and having this space to change out decor on is sure fun! A few things I kept from last year. Found the flag mug in some old Easter stuff and couldn't wait to use it! Then of course with some printables and that wood shim star I finished this up in no time!

Can't hardly believe it's almost time for the 4th! It keeps getting more fun and more fun with Lil' Hunkie!

He loves Firecracker Day!

Happy Thursday lovelies!

{See my Link Parties page for the shares!}

Wood Shim Star

After making my Patriotic Printables last week I needed one more thing for my mantle.  I had a few wood shims leftover from making some Easter and Spring projects so why not a star?

Got them out and laid them out on my sunny craft table......

....then hot glued them together! Got the Folk Art metallic red paint out and painted one coat on and done!!

Perfect Patriotic star! Or Christmas star!

And now the mantle is done!!

I'll share it on Thursday!!

Happy Tuesday!!

{See my Link Parties Page for the shares!}

{Freebie} Patriotic Printables

I know I just did a printable but that was for Father's Day and I have moved quickly into getting my mantle decorated for the 4th!  Surely you know by now that I love printables! They make decorating, especially for holidays, so much simpler!

Land That I Love 

(right click and save)

God Bless America

(right click and save)

Can't wait to finish up my mantle!

Happy Thursday Lovelies!

{See my Link Parties page for the shares.}

Patriotic Mantle

Well it's full on crazy around here! 20 year High School reunion is today among a few other things! So I have managed to squeeze in a Patriotic Mantle.  I spent a whole whopping $2 on it! I have very few patriotic decorations but using things that are blue and red you don't necessarily have to have a lot!

The bucket and flowers is what I bought new. And of course I made the printable and shared it HERE.  The eagle plaque was a Target purchase last year and had everything else. Nice and simple, easy and cute! 

And I figured out a chalkboard tip! Like my bracket I made? I outlined it from a cookie cutter!! Ah hah! I will be doing that trick from now on!

Happy Thursday!

(See my Link Parties Page for the shares.}

Soiree Day-Independence Day Treats!

Well Father's Day is over and time to move on to the next holiday.  Firecracker Day, as Lil Hunkie calls it! Not sure of our plans this year but I did find some pretty fun treats that I might have to make for the kids!

Enjoy!

{please click on title to pin!}

Kaboom Kakes by Hungry Happenings

Fourth of July Dessert Fruit Pops by Baker's Royale

Red, White, and Blue Smores by First Home...Love Life

Patriotic Marshmallow Popcorn Sparklers by Dash Recipes

Red, White, and Blue Jewel Cake by Diamonds for Dessert

Bald Eagle Pears by Dash Recipes

Aren't all of these fun? I've never had a Jewel Cake before but it's so simply pretty! And how about those eagles? So creative!

What's your favorite treats for Independence Day?

Happy Soiree Day!

Soiree Day-Celebrate Independence Day

Well I'm not as patriotic this year as I was last year.  Too much going on! The 4th has sneaked up on me! That and my seasonal decor isn't as easy to get to anymore!  So I'll just have a little fun with a celebration roundup!  Enjoy!

Vintage 4th by Found Vintage Rentals via Design Sponge

Photo courtesy of Design Sponge.

Nautical 4th of July by Anders Ruff

Photo courtesy of Anders Ruff.

Printables are available to purchase.

Utensil Holders by Kate's Paperie

Photo courtesy of Kate's Paperie.

Stars in Stripes Decor by Good Housekeeping

Photo courtesy of Good Housekeeping.

Land of the Free printable by The Scrap Shoppe

Photo courtesy of The Scrap Shoppe. 

Patriotic Party Printables by Sweet Rose Studio

Graphic courtesy of Sweet Rose Studio.

Brownie Kebabs via Pinterest

Edible Eagles by Noble Pig

Photo courtesy of Noble Pig.

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I'm loving the decor idea from Good Housekeeping....those are dish towels!!

 And those Edible Eagles are so clever!!

Have a great 4th!!

Happy Soiree Day!

Vintage Gwen Chapel-Patriotic Quotes

Graphic courtesy of Vintage Holiday Crafts.

What better way to celebrate Independence Day then with some patriotic quotes!

I'm so thankful not only for my freedom but also for my freedom in Christ!

I'm proud to be an American and to have a country with a Godly heritage...just wish we'd be better at staying true to that Godly heritage!

And if you're not praying for our President and leaders then I encourage you to do so!

1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV

" I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. "
*

Abraham Lincoln

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be    because we destroyed ourselves."

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go."

♦

Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country."

♦

John F. Kennedy

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

"We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution."

Quotes courtesy of http://www.usa-patriotism.com/quotes/.

May you and your family have a fun and safe holiday weekend!

Darling Day-Independence Day Edition!

Ok so I did some playing on Pinterest and Polyvore for today's Darlings!!

Hope you enjoy!

♥
My first Polyvore Set!! This is what I'd wear to church this Sunday! ☺

Simple Americana Style by vintagegwen featuring a red necklace

♦

Tin Can Luminaries by crafts-for-all-seasons.com
This wouldn't be very hard at all! I love the firework one in the middle!!

♦

Wreath by allyou.com

I adore the medallions!!  And the color of the door!

♦

Nestle Tollhouse Stars and Stripes Cookies at verybestbaking.com

These are perfect!!

♦

Red Velvet Flag Cakes via foodgawker.com
I love red velvet!! These are too cute! I'm enjoying all the yummies on foodgawker.com! You should check it out! These mini cakes can also be found here.

Photos courtesy of Pinterest and their respective sites
♦

Aren't these some inspiring ideas?
Hope you have a fun Independence Day!!

Square Burlap Wreath

I've been wanting to change my door decoration from springy to summery.  And with Independence Day coming knew I wanted something patriotic but wanted something that I could quickly change out when the holiday was over.  What better thing then a burlap wreath!  I had just enough leftover burlap from this. 

Now I looked at the Dollar Tree and Dollar General for a wreath but couldn't find anything...it was either a really small foam circle or a wicker circle...neither was what I'd hope for. 

So I dug in a box bound for Goodwill and found these.....

....don't remember what they're for or why I had them but with a little glue it made the perfect square, well more of a rectangle!

And away I went!

Supplies:

wreath form of choice

burlap

hot glue gun

needle & thread

fabrics of choice

embellishments of choice

mod podge

felt

pins

(I had all of this on hand so 0 cost for me!)

Laid the wood pieces out to make sure I glued them correctly.

 Hot glued corners.

 Starting at a corner, glued a corner of a burlap strip to wood. And wrapped and wrapped. I used about three strips due to using leftover burlap, it wasn't quite long enough for one strip.

 Finished wrapping.

 Then made some ruffles. I believe they are about 4 inches wide.  I just took needle and thread and made long stitches along the edge.  I tied the thread to the end of the piece of burlap. (photo)

Then just pull thread to make ruffle. Easy as pie! I used 3 ruffles.

 Hot glue ruffles to back of wrapped wood frame.

 And tahdah!! Now I have an interchangeable wreath for my door! So excited!

 So now to decorate!  Took a small strip and made a 'hanger' and glued to the center of the back.

 TIP: when dealing with burlap and hot glue I use this wooden spoon to press on the burlap, saves the fingers!

Then I made 3 medallions with the red pom poms. 1 large and 2 small.

Glued felt to back of medallions and then glued on pins.

Then just pinned on the medallions! But......I think it needs a little something else.........

........welcome Lady Liberty!! Again, visited The Graphics Fairy for this beauty!

 Took a square piece of navy fabric and glued the edges.  Then mod podged Lady Liberty to the front.  Added felt and a pin to the back.

Pinned her on and yes!  LOVE it!!

I'm so excited about this!  I can't wait to make some other embellishments to change it out!!  Don't worry...I'll be showing ya when I do!!

See my Link Parties page for where I'm linking up to!!