It’s Summertime and that means trips to the beach, lazy days by the pool, picnics and one of my most favorite holidays, Independence Day or the 4^th of July.  At our house, that means hanging the flag, a BBQ with friends, a baseball game and of course, fireworks.

I have few quick and easy ways to dress up your Independence Day table May Arts Ribbon style and a couple of crafts ideas to keep the kids busy as well  They’ll be proud they could help and it gives you a great opportunity to explain why we celebrate Independence Day.

Here’s a list of the May Arts Ribbons I used to create my patriotic tablescape. 

• AKN14/44 Checkered Gingham Red/Blue
• KB14/03- 3/8 inch Solid Check Red/Blue
• SP10 – Natural Burlap Cord
• DD03/14 – 5/8 inch Grosgrain Dots Red/Blue
• 377-38-31 – Metallic Velvet Silver

Let’s take a closer look at the table so you can see how easy it is to put together.

1. My Christmas red placemats were given a temporary patriotic feel by taping strips of May Arts Grosgrain Dots ribbons to the underside.  After the celebration, the ribbon can be removed and used again.
2. I love using western style handkerchiefs instead of paper napkins.  I keep a supply of on hand in red and blue because they’re great for any time of year.  They’re big and easy to wash and dry.  I dressed them up with May Arts Checkered Gingham and Solid check ribbons and some metallic pipe cleaners from the dollar store.

3. I got these tall candles at a home décor store a few years ago for $2.99 each!  They’re great for nautical-themed parties as well as patriotic themes.  I wrapped them with May Arts Burlap Cord that I secured to the candles with small straight pins.   I can exchange the cord for ribbon anytime.  The votive candles were dressed up with May Arts Silver Metallic Velvet Ribbon.  A white cake stand scattered with a few acrylic stars adds balance and breaks up all the red and blue.

Now for the fun crafty stuff!  Paper lanterns and vellum “sparklers”!  The lanterns can be hung by ribbon as a festive garland instead of table decoration if desired.

You can find a tutorial for the lanterns here.  I added beautiful May Arts ribbon, of course!  Little ones can make these with a little scissor help.

Now for the sparklers…  They’re so much fun to make!  These would make great birthday party or wedding decorations as well…just change the glitter color!  The sparklers need a bit of adult or older child supervision but little ones will love sprinkling on the glitter.

Here’s what you’ll need to make the “sparklers”.

• Spray adhesive
• Glitter
• Wooden skewers
• Vellum cardstock – 12” x 12” (makes 4 sparklers)
• Strong Double sided Tape (I used Tear-ific Tape)
• Cardboard box
• May Arts Ribbon

Mason jars/sand/metallic pipe cleaners (wrap around a pencil)

This is where the cardboard box comes in.  Stand the box on end.  Hold the skewer inside the box and spray the sparkler with adhesive, then glitter it up!

You can find a printable tutorial here.

Thanks for joining us on the May Arts blog!  Happy Independence Day!!

Blog post by: Charlene Driggs