Video: DIY Patriotic Pinwheels

Yesterday I was invited to WDRB in the Morning to show how to make my Patriotic Pinwheels.  Take a look at the segment and see why adding a bit of glue to your pin before inserting into the stick is a good idea:

Remember, you can watch all of my WDRB segments on my YouTube channel HERE.

Happy 4th of July!

~julee~

Tweet

Make It: Patriotic Pinwheels

Who can resist spinning a pinwheel?  Not me.  Especially then they’re this adorable.  Making your own DIY pinwheels is a fun and easy craft, and they’re  perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your 4th of July picnic festivities.  Make them ahead of time and use for table decorations, or set out the supplies and let the kids have a blast making their own.

DIY Pinwheel Tutorial

You’ll need:  Pretty paper (double sided prints look best), scissors, straight pin, lollipop stick or skewer.    1)  Cut your paper in a perfect square.  I used 6x6 for this tutorial.  2) Using a ruler, lightly draw lines from corner to corner of your square.  3)  Cut lines from each corner to the middle of the square, but DO NOT cut all the way up.  Stop at least 1/2-inch from the center.  4) Fold down alternating corners toward the middle of the square.  5)  Use a straight pin to push through all layers to the other side.  6)  Push the pin into the lollipop stick or skewer.  (This takes a little bit of effort, and kids may need help with this part.)  If the pin won’t stay put, add a drop of glue to the tip.

Using the straight pin allows the pinwheel to spin.  Alternately, you can use a brad through the center and glue the stick to the back, but the pinwheel won’t spin. 

Have a safe and festive 4th of July, DIY’ers!

~julee~

Tweet

4th of July Party Printables

Looking for an easy to way to spruce up your picnic table for your 4th of July festivities?  Check out these free downloadable 4th of July printables:

These adorable patriotic cupcakes toppers are from Get Party Chic.  Go HERE to download the free file.  To make: print from home on cardstock paper, cut or use a 2-inch paper punch, then glue a toothpick to the back.  Use them to decorate cupcakes or to hold your grilled (veggie?) burgers together.  So cute!

These printable food flags and “celebrate!” cupcake toppers were designed by Kim for D.I.Y. Louisville and will look festive next to your delicious desserts.  Print the free files HERE and HERE.   To make:  Print from home on cardstock paper.  Fold in half and glue around a toothpick or lollipop stick.

Enjoy your 4th of July festivities, DIY’ers!

~julee~

Tweet

D.I.Y. 4th of July Crafts and Free Printables

I'm hard at work crafting and getting things festive looking for our annual 4th of July bash and I thought I would share some cute D.I.Y.'s with you.  I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed the lack of good patriotic wares at the store, but it's pretty bad.  Either they have nothing or they have tacky, plastic, metallic decorations.  My take on the 4th is sort of nostalgic meets vintage meets picnic, southern style, with a touch of cute.  So with little to go in the way of store decor, I've been making a few quick things on my own.  I'm going to show you a quick tutorial for making some cute flags that you can display in a cake, pie or cupcakes and bigger flags that make a cute table centerpiece.

Supplies:
Skewers or dowel rods or even chopsticks
craft sticks
scraps of fabric
Goop glue or hot glue

Mini Flags

Cut a strip of fabric 1.5 inches wide by 6 inches long, fold the strip in half length wise and cut a notch to make a v in the fabric.  Place some glue on both sides of a craft stick and along one side of the fabric.  Sandwich the stick in between the fabric and match up the ends.  I used a binder clip to hold it together while the glue dried.

Centerpiece Flags

Cut a piece of fabric 5 inches wide by 7 inches long.  Place a line of glue on one end (short end). Lay your skewer in the glue and start to roll up.  After one roll, place another line of glue and roll again.  Use a binder clip to hold in place until dry.

And if you would like an easier take on the flag use our free printable to make these cute flags.  Just cut the strips out, fold in half and glue to a straw, lollipop strip or craft stick.  They would even be cute glued to forks, and we also have a version with different classic desserts on them here.  Check back tomorrow for another cute craft and printable.



4thprintable

Tweet

4th of July Inspiration Board

My last inspiration board came in so handy and kept me right on track so I made up another one for 4th of July. We celebrate it this year on the 1st when the church next door has their big fireworks show.  I have lots to do and haven't even really started, but at least I have a jumping off point now!

Tweet