Off to the lake? Don’t forget the glitter and glue! The immensely creative Jerusalem Greer is back, this time with crafts in celebration of the good ol’ US of A!

And while you’re at it, you might want to check out Jerusalem’s thrifty waterside inspired craft ideas too.

Happy July 4th!

CRAFT #1

CROWNING GLORY

This is a craft that is easily adaptable to any event or holiday, and is also a lot of fun to do with kids.

Let’s get started OK?

Here are the supplies you are going to need:

*4 coordination sheets of scrapbook paper in patriotic colors
*Craft Glue
*Glue Stick
*Glitter – your choice of color
*Printer
*Scissors
* Satin or Grosgrain Ribbon in Coordination color, no wider than 7/8″
*Hot Glue
*Hole Punch
*Paper Cutter
*Pinking Sheers or Scrapbook Scissors

STEP 1
* Prep your Paper.

Using your paper trimmer, cut off one 12x 3 3/4″ strip of each paper pattern.
(You can go thinner than this, all the way down to 12x 3 1/4″ , but I wouldn’t suggesting going any wider.)

STEP 2
* Layer Your Papers

You are going to want to layer 2 of the strips of paper on top of each other, creating a “front” panel and a “back” panel for your crown.

STEP 3
* Create Panels

* Once you have chosen your paper combo, glue the strips together using a glue stick. Allow one pattern paper to stick up above the other, showing about a 1″ to 1 1/4″ strip at the top of your crown.
(See picture above.)

Your finished panel will be about 4 3/4″ total width, and 12″ in length.

STEP 4
* Trim your Edges

Using pinking sheers or scrapbook scissors, trim the sides and tops of your panels.

STEP 5
* Add Glue and Glitter

Using a paint brush or a regular glue bottle, add a nice thick strip of glue along the seems of where your 2 papers overlap on both panels. After you have applied your glue, generously coat with your choice of glitter. (See picture above.)

STEP 6
* Cut your Circle

Using a circle cutting tool cut out a circle in one of your coordinating papers.
If you do not have a circle cutting tool you can create a perfect circle by simply tracing a common household object like a can of fruit or extra large coffee mug.
You will want your circle to be between 4″ and 5″ wide.

STEP 7
* Print Out Your Vintage Image

Next, using your computer, print out a vintage image to use to embellish the middle of your circle. Make sure to crop or shrink your image to a size that will fit inside your circle.
I printed image as a 3″ x 2 1/2″ size.

STEP 8
* Glue and Glitter Your Image

Next, using your glue stick, glue your image to the middle of your circle, then outline the image with a thin bead of glue and goat well with glitter.
Let dry.

STEP 9
* Attach Your Circle

After your circle has dried you can also trim it with your pinking or scrapbook scissors, or you can leave it smooth edged.
After you have chosen your edging style, attach your circle to the middle of your Front Crown Panel using a large dollop of Hot Glue.
Carefully press in place, making sure that your circle attaches to your panel.
You want only 1/2 to 3/4 of your circle to be on your panel.
The remaining amount should stick up above the top of your panel creating more height.

STEP 10
* Add Embellishments

Using the same star punch or pattern from the Candle Project (below), cut out several stars in fun colors.
Glue 2-3 stars to each of your panels, using your glue stick. Outline the edges of your star with craft glue and coat with glitter. This will give them a nice finished sparkly look.

STEP 11
* Hole Punch

To attach your 2 panels together, you are going to need to add hole punches to both ends of each panel.
Where you place your hole punches will be determined by the width of your crown, and the size you need it to be in order to fit. Obviously children will need a smaller crown size than adults.

My holes are 3/4″ in from the end edge of my panel, and there is a 1 1/2″ space between them.

I like to make my front hole punches first, and then use those holes as a guide for the holes I punch on my back panel. This seems to help the 2 panels line up better when I attach them.

STEP 12
* Attach Panels with Ribbon

Cut 2 lengths of ribbon, each approximately 24″ long.

To attach your panels you will need to start by running 1 piece of your ribbon through your back panel, making sure that the tails of your ribbon come up through the holes on the top portion of your Back Panel (as seen above.)

Next, pull that same ribbon through your the holes on your Front panel, also letting the ribbon tails come up through the top of your Front panel.
Repeat this on the other side of your crown.

When you do this on both sides your crown, in will suddenly come together and be one piece.
The ribbon will allow you to loosen or tighten as needed. If you need a tighter crown you can shorten your panels from 12″ to whichever width will work best.
Just remember to trim both the front and the back panels equally.

Also you will need to decide if you want a crown that comes down over the head or sits more directly on top of the head.

My sweet boy Miles was happy to model today’s project for me. It is a little big for him since I made it in an adult size, but you get the idea!

CRAFT #2

LYRICAL LIGHT

This craft is called “Lyrical Light” because it is a candle that is wrapped in sheet music.

Here are the supplies you are going to need:

*1 piece of vintage Sheet Music
*Hot Glue
*Craft Glue
*Silver, Red or Gold Glitter
*Printer
*Scissors
* Extra Wide Patriotic Ribbon, Paper Fringe or Crepe Paper
*Thin Ribbon in Patriotic Colors
*Jar Candle (I used unscented white Prayer Candle)

STEP 1
* Prep your paper.

Either using a vintage sheet of music (easily found at most flea markets) or the print out of the Star Spangled Banner PDF, prepare your paper by simply folding and tearing the edges off, creating a rougher looking edge (see photo below.)

STEP 2
* After you have picked and prepped your paper, wrap it around your candle, securing it with a bead of hot glue down the back seam were the ends of your paper overlap.

STEP 3
* Next you need to glitter the top and bottom edges of your paper.

Using craft glue, carefully and slowly trace the edge of your paper with a small bead of glue, going all around the candle.
If you have trouble controlling your glue stream you can either close your glue cap half way, creating a smaller and slower stream or you can use a small paint brush to paint your glue along the top and bottom edges of your paper.

STEP 4

* After your glue is in place, coat heavily with your choice of glitter.
Let dry completely before proceeding with the next steps.

STEP 5

* Pick your embellishments.
This next step is where you can begin to bring in your patriotic colors and elements.
I used a thick tri-colored velvet ribbon for my candle.
However you could use paper fringe, crepe paper streamer, tinsel garland, or other types of ribbon for this step. Whatever you are inspired by or have on hand will work great!

STEP 6
* Wrap your ribbon or other embellishment around your candle.

STEP 7
* Secure your embellishment to your candle at the back of your candle using hot glue.

Make sure to line up the seam of your ribbon or fringe with the seams of your paper for a clean and finished look.

STEP 8
* Create Star Ornament.

Using this STAR image or a jumbo sized Star Punch
cut out a star on scrapbook or cardstock weight paper.
Coat with craft glue, then cover completely with glitter.
Let dry.

STEP 9
* While your star is drying, pick your thin embellishment ribbon.

(I used a red and white gingham print in a 1/2″ Width.)
Cut it approx. 9″ long.
Fold in half and attach the folded part to your the center of your wide ribbon or fringe using hot glue.

STEP 10
*Next, attach your dried glittery star to the top of your ribbon, again using hot glue (or craft glue if you are patient!)

Voila! You are done! You have now created a lovely Lyrical Light to display at your 4th of July gathering.
These make great hostess gifts and party favors, and can provide great after-dark light for your holiday party.

If sheet music isn’t your thing, vintage book pages, wallpaper remnants and colorful scrapbook papers all make great candle wrappers.

Use a variety of jar candle heights and widths to create a great holiday mantle display or tablescape.
And remember, you can create a wrap candle for any event or holiday by simply changing up the embellishment textures, colors and shapes.

CRAFT #3

ROSES AND LEMONADE

This project is called Roses and Lemonade, but it could be also be called Daisies and Lemonade, or Lilacs and Lemonade, or Sunflowers and Lemonade… Even though I am going to be showing roses, you can use whichever flower you love most!

These flower arrangements are bursting with a fresh scent, summery color and an old-fashioned vibe, perfect for a lovely holiday weekend.

Here are the supplies you are going to need:

*Flowers of your choice (about a dozen)
*A bag of fresh lemons
*Kitchen Scissors
*Kitchen Knife
*Small American Flags
*Clear glass jars, vases or water glasses.

STEP 1
* Gather your supplies and fill your jars or vases half full with water.

(Mine are way too full in this picture! Make sure to only fill them half-way up to prevent overflow.)

STEP 2
* Slice your lemons.

(1/2 a bag of lemons per arrangement is recommended.)
*Make to sure to slice them pretty thin, less than 1/4″ thick.

STEP 3
* Start filling your jar or vase with the lemon slices. Make sure to hold out 4-6 slices per arrangement for later.

STEP 4
*Prepare your flowers.

No matter what type of flower you are using you need to make sure to remove all the leaves from the portion of the stem that will be in your water.
(Tip: Most flower leaves that get left in water will mold or rot, polluting and poisoning your flowers, causing them to die quicker.)
If you are using Roses, carefully remove the little green bud leaves that surround the base of each flower. Make sure to gently detach these leaves at their base, being careful not to rip your flower head off.
By removing these bud leaves, you are creating a cleaner look for your flower and your arrangement.

STEP 5
* Next trim your flowers down to the height you want them to be. I like my flower heads to look as if they are sitting right on the top of the jar.

To get a good measurement for where to trim your flower stem, bring your jar or vase to the very edge of your counter or table. Next, in front of your table or counter top, hold your flower up next to your jar or vase, lining it up with where you want to top of your flower to be. Cut off all of the excess stem that falls below the table or counter top.

STEP 6
* Fill in with leftover lemon slices.

After you have trimmed your flowers to the height you want them to be, place your flowers in their jars or vases. Next fill in around your stems with your remaining lemon slices.

STEP 7
* Add embellishment.

For your final step, add some patriotic flair to your arrangement. I like to keep this arrangement simple.
Ideas include:
*Adding a decorative ribbon around the neck of your jar of vase.
* Creating a patriotic tag, using shipping tags or a wire dangle to hang from the neck.
*Inserting summer pinwheels into the arrangement instead of flags.

These arrangements look great outside at a picnic, in a kitchen window, on a mantle or by your bedside. They are as refreshing and nostalgic as a fresh cup of ice cold lemonade on a hot summer day.

Want to expand on this idea? You can always achieve a similar look with limes and oranges, and again mix in your very favorite flowers of any variety!

Want to make some yummy summertime lemonade punch to serve up with your flowers?
Download my very favorite recipe here!