The 4th of July. I LOVE it! Seeing all the American Flags displayed in the front yards of my neighbors. Going to a parade and clapping to the various marching bands versions of “Grand Old Flag” and standing in honor of the veterans as they march by in their uniforms. July 4th makes me feel united with all around me… on this day we all love the same things: The United States of America, Fireworks, Americana decor and Food.
There’s something about those fireworks each year that invigorate me, excite me. I always feel energized after leaving the Independence Day light shows! This year, I have decided to take that momentum and forge ahead with an idea that I have been mulling over for a while.
I ADORE Pinterest. Ahhhhh… that addiction makes me feel creative even when I’m just sitting in my jammies staring at a computer screen. As the Fourth of July began approaching this year, I decided that instead of just “wanting” to be creative that I would “be ” creative. Sooooooo…. on this day, I have begun my one year journey of picking a pin (or two or three) EVERY day and actually CREATING it. I plan to share with you pictures of MY creations inspired by the creations I have pinned. I will share my successes & my failures… and I would love your input. I KNOW that there will be pins that are a MAJOR failure for me (yep! that terrible dry BBQ crockpot chicken that I tried to serve my family last night comes to mind). There may also be pins that I say were sooooo unbelievably easy (the snowmen handprint UBER ADORABLE ornaments come to mind) that just don’t seem to work for you. I would love to see if what I create inspires you to get out that gluegun and create. I would love your input if I say that something I try is a failure for me, but that you know with just a small tweek here and there became a success for you! Join me on my journey…. I’m just a girl that wants to pin AND create. Let’s do this together……
DAY 1: July 4, 2012
I pinned and pinned and pinned July 4th ideas and once I chose what to create, I added it to my “A Girl & A Pin: Created &….” board: http://pinterest.com/ellasmommy87/a-girl-a-pin-created/
Thses are my Red, White & Blue Creations
These three projects were inspired by these pins:
Celebration Sticks: http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=29394
Red, White & Blue Punch: http://www.bigbearswife.com/2011/07/independence-punch.html
Cardboard Stars: http://greylustergirl.blogspot.com/2011/06/3-d-cardboard-star.html
I also made this fruit salad, which was adorable but it somehow evaded my camera: http://witandwhistle.com/2011/07/05/cookie-cutter-fruit-salad/
All of these projects were EASY PEASY!!! The celebration sticks, I have decided, I MUST make for every occasion! Kids love them, adults love them, and they look so pretty (and much more difficult than they are!). I think it would be yummy to dip them in melted caramel and then chocolate, and sprinkle with chopped nuts! (I may do this in the fall- they seem like they’d look “fallish”, right?…. I ‘ll be sure to keep you posted!!!) The Red, White & Blue Punch illicited a TON of ooooooohhhhhhh’s & ahhhhhhhhhhh’s….. I used Hawaiian Punch, Gatorade G2 Blueberry and Diet Sprite (actually Sprite Zero, but isnt that the same thing?!?!). I filled my serving jar with ice first, then the Hawaiian punch and then carefully, slowly poured the gatorade directly onto an ice cube rather than directly into the punch. I did the same thing with the Sprite! And Voila! Adorable Red, White & Blue Drink Perfection!!!! I also made some for the kiddos in individual glasses and tried to put Pop Rocks on the Rim like this pin: http://pizzazzerie.com/diy/pop-rocks-rimmed-cocktails/comment-page-1/ BUT….. FAIL! it did not work for me. This blogger stated that if the pop rocks dont stick (which is exactly what happened for me) then you can try dipping the rims in caramel first before dipping in the pop rocks. I did not try this for two reasons: #1 I did not have caramel and #2 that just sounded gross to me (caramel, pop rocks, & hawaiian punch just dont seem to “go” together…). The cardboard stars were also ridiculously easy. After cutting them, folding them, and painting them, I dipped all the the edges in a “distressed ink pad” that I have. I LOVE that additional detail. I though, did not make 2 and glue them together. I knew I was going to be propping them up against the wall on top of a distressed white mirror that I have, so I figures, “why bother” with the back. No one can tell , so I’ll leave them sitting up there in all their adorable one sided glory!!!
I hope that you and your family have a safe and wonderful evening celebrating this day filled with all things Red, White & Blue!!! I would love to know what YOU created!
Happy Fourth!,
Kirsten
a girl & a pin 