More July 4th ideas and inspiration!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! We are recovering from late night spit-ups and tons of yard work! Rained today so I got a chance to let myself off of the yard for the day! Still trying to decide what we are going to do this weekend, are your plans together?

If not...here are some ideas that might help inspire your celebration! Don't forget about these older, but still fresh!, Frosting for a patriotic celebration here (link)

Work with the kids to make this fun banner to decorate your space! Source and tutorial

How fun (and easy!) is this idea?! These drink shooters arranged are not only fun, but I am sure they taste delicious! Source and recipe

Throw together these chocolate dipped bananas for your guests (or even just your family!) Source and tutorial


















 

July 4th ideas and inspiration

Sorry I have been away for a few days! Been a rough few days at home...on great news - baby Elias is 1 month old!



pic cannot be reposted without my permission






We are still trying to decide what we are doing for the holiday weekend...if you are planning on a celebration, hopefully these ideas will inspire you! Don't forget about these older, but still fresh!, Frosting for a July 4th celebration here (link)

Here's a great idea anyone can do! Chocolate covered pretzels, then arrange in a flag shape! Source (pretzel dipping fork - link)

Make your rice crispies festive! A little icing and you can cut them into rectangles and make them flags! Source and tutorial












Still feel like it's too much craftiness needed? How about this idea! Arrange blueberries, bananas and strawberries into a flag! Source
















 

July 4th ideas and inspiration

Anyone planning a 4th of July celebration? Or are you just going to be a guest at one? It will probably just be us because Elias is still a bit too small for a lot of company, but I am starting to search out a date for the sip and see!

If you are planning a party, here are some ideas to inspire you! Don't forget about older, but still fresh!, Frosting for a July 4th celebration here (link)

I am a sucker for anything mason jar! (we even drink out of them as our reg glasses - it reminds me of growing up).  This would even make a great hostess gift! Source and tutorial

Another fun (and super easy!) mason jar idea... serve up a blue drink with a watermelon star on a lolli stick (sold here - link).  Source and recipe

Another simple idea... red, white and blue fruit kabobs! Source

The kids will love these hotdog "rockets"! Source... cupcake wrappers (here)



















 

4th of July - Last min!

No matter how much planning you do, don't you always find yourself throwing something together at the last minute?!

Here are some last min ideas you can still pull off! Don't forget about older, but still fresh!, Frosting for the 4th here (link)

Save from fruit from the fruit tray and make this patriotic sangria! Source and recipe

Pick up a no-bake cheesecake mix, pre-made refrigerated pie crust and some fruit... throw them together as mini parfaits and cut the pie crust with a mini star cutter, bake and top! ...and no one will hold the pre-made elements against you ;o) Source and recipe

Take a white bag inside of a blue bag inside of a red bag...cut the tops in strips and you have firecracker bags! Source and tutorial

 Don't forget the little touches... ribbon, bakers twine and even just a quick stamp on your napkins can add a little Frosting that will go a long way! Source





















 

More July 4th party ideas and inspiration!

I hope you guys are having as great of weather as we are! It's amazing - windows open, ate on the deck and nice breeze, too! Back to summer weather tomorrow, though!

 Here are some more ideas to Frost your July 4th BBQ next week! Don't forget about this older, but still fresh!, Frosting for July 4th here (link).

How cute is this setup?! Love the banner and all the different patterned "firework"! Source

Use inexpensive bandanas and no-sew bond to create these fun placemats without a sewing machine! Source

Super simple way to Frost your drinks... take red straws and add a strip of blue paper/fabric with white stars!  Source

Great tutorial to stash away for any party... candy dot "flags"! Easier then you think! Source and tutorial











 

4th of July party ideas and inspiration: Simple Touches

You guys planning a big or small thing for 4th of July? For us, we are just trying to get over the household cold! But hopefully we'll have a small BBQ and a few small fireworks!

Here is some inspiration for your cookout. Don't forget about older, but still fresh!, Frosting for Fourth of July here (link)

You can always win me over with mason jars! Just add patriotic fabric or craft paper toppers for instant party coordination! Source and tutorial

These are my fav! ... rice crispy firecrackers! total genius! Source and tutorial

Simple touches can make all the difference! Frost your Twizzlers by wrapping up a few with a strip of festive craft paper! Source

Your guests will forgive you for the no-bake cheesecake from a box if you add some red icing and a few blueberries to create flag desserts! Source and recipe (if you don't want to cheat ;o)  Source and recipe















 

BBQ idea/inspiration: Fruit

Though we had an early 4th celebration to allow Douglas to participate, but I think we may do another one this weekend... can't have enough BBQ, right?

Here are a few ways to add Frosting to your BBQ with fruit...

I've seen watermelon done SO many ways, but somehow this simple "fry" style is one of my favs! Source found via bedifferentactnormal blog

 How cute is this!? Fruit stuffed fruit! I guess you could do this with a peach or apple or whatever... dice up other fruit and stuff away! Great alternative to a bowl full of fruit salad! Source found via ediblecrafts blog

Waffles aren't just good for icecream (though I argue you should have some with both ;o)  ... fill them with fresh fruits for an easy serving idea (just don't put in too ahead of time or risk getting a little soggy).  Source

Frozen fresh fruit cups are a great way to cool the kids down and make them healthy! 2 cups of chopped fruit, 1 tbsp of sugar, 1 tsp of lemon juice - throw in a blender, then freeze! Source: BJ's Journal 2011

Fourth of July ideas/inspiration: Red, white & blue

We are still trying to figure out if we want to do another 4th of July celebration now that we have had a "pretend" one this weekend for Douglas.  Can't believe he's leaving on Wed!!!


Here are a few ideas to Frost your 4th with traditional red, white and blue elements...

How clever is this utensil banner?! Not only patriotic, but dang useful! Source

Another way to display utensils is to wrap them up in striped napkins and add a bit of ribbon to a basic basket - changing inexpensive plasticware into perfect festive bundles! Source

Super fun favor - homemade chalkboard and chalk! ...not as time intensive as you would think! Source and tutorial

A cupcake made after one of my favorite ice cream man treats! Source and recipe

4th of July ideas and inspiration: Stars

We are almost done planning what we are making for our pretend 4th of July tomorrow (since little d goes back to TX next week!).  I am so glad I talked him into the cake pops I wanted to make heehee...

here are a few ways to Frost your 4th with stars!

 Make a star filled invite for your BBQ! Source

TOTALLY genius idea you can use for any event... stencil, water, flour - AWESOME grass designs!!! Source and tutorial

I heart vertical garland! Punch/cut out stars and attach to twine or ribbon and use for a backdrop or even on an entry way.  Source

...if you are more of a cake box kind of gal - your dessert table doesn't have to suffer! Find star decorations or print off images from the internet onto hard cardstock and cut out - place cupcakes in the middle of each and no one will even question the plain looking cupcakes ;o)  Source and tutorial