Pinspiration Friday: Fourth of July Printables

My Favorite Free Fourth of July Printables

"AMERICA" Banner (with instructions) 

Fourth of July Party Printables

Stars and Stripes Theme

National Anthem Print

Patriotic Fans for Independence Day

(with instructions)

Fourth of July Cupcake Flags

Fourth of July Subway Art

Follow all of my Fourth of July and Patriotic Inspirations

On my "Fourth of July" Pinterest Board

Clean Your Mod Podge Tool Set

Is your Mod Podge tool (roller) as dirty as mine is?

I'm a messy Mod Podge-er so I tend to get extra Mod Podge all over my roller.

This messiness has made using Mod Podge really difficult.

Wrinkles, pulling up paper, dry/old Mod Podge on the surface.

 Not good!

So where do I go when I need help with Mod Podge?

The wonderful Amy Anderson over at Mod Podge Rocks!

 She recommended using PAM to remove the mess.  Genius!

Here's What You Do:

1.  Spray PAM directly onto roller.

 2.  Rub with dry handtowel. 

Finish by wiping down with moist handtowel.

3.  Viola!  Good as new!

Happy Mod Podging!

Looking to use your freshly cleaned tool...

Pop over to Mod Podge Rocks! for project ideas and tips!

For the Guys: Manteresting.com

Do you love the concept of Pinterest

but find it a bit... girly?

Hey!  It's okay!

There's a totally legit alternative to Pinterest

created just for men.

Check it out!

http://manteresting.com

3 Quick and Easy Fourth of July Projects

Independence Day is less than 2 weeks away.  Whether you're planning a big bash or just want some cute decor for your home, these three projects are quick, easy and inexpensive - perfect for crafters of all skill levels!

Patriotic Garland

Materials

Scrapbook Paper Scraps

Hole Punches (mine are 2" and 3")

Sewing Machine

Instructions

1. Punch out all the paper you want to use.  Stack in whatever order you would like (random or in sequence).

2.  Feed through sewing machine.  Wide stitches work better than tight - the tight may cause the paper to tear.  

3.  Hang up!

Hanging "USA" Sign

Materials

Wood Letters

Hanging Eyelets

Scrapbook Paper

Mod Podge

Ribbon

Instructions

1.  Trace shape of letters on backside of scrapbook paper and cut out.

2.  Mod Podge scrapbook paper onto letters.  Allow to fully dry.

3.  Attach eyelets to all connecting points of letters by screwing into top/bottoms of letters.  Tie eyelets together with ribbon.  {Using ribbon to directly tie the letters together is a good alternative.} 

4.  Hang and enjoy!

1776 Sign

Materials

Wood Board

Wood Numbers

Paint

Glitter Glue

Hot Glue

Painters or Masking Tape

Sand Paper

Paint Brushes

Instructions

1. Prep all wood pieces by sanding them first.  This will ensure clean pieces and help the paint sink in evenly.

2.  Paint wood board white and number blue. Lay aside to dry.

3.  When board is dry, mark measurements on board to lay stripes.  Lay out tape and ensure it is completely flat with no bubbles, especially along the edges.

4.  Paint in red stripes. Allow to dry.

5.  While board is drying, use glitter glue to add to sparkle to your numbers.  I found the best technique for me was outlining the number, filling with a giant squiggle and using a cheap paint brush to move the glitter glue around to fully fill in the letter.  This gave me a little more control and saved me the trouble of making mistakes.  Set aside to fully dry.

6.  Now, back to the board.  Make sure paint is completely dry.  Gently lift tape, pulling directly up.  Once all tape is removed, touch up your edges.

7.  When all of your pieces are completely dry, use hot glue to attach numbers to your board.  

Enjoy!!!

You may also be interested in:

Fourth of July Wreath

Stay up-to-date on all my patriotic inspirations by following my "Fourth of July" board on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jeneevans/fourth-of-july/

Lost and Found Sock Board

One of my biggest laundry frustrations is socks, inexplicably, disappearing off the face of the planet.  It always seems to be that when I think I've found the sock in question... the matching one has run off!  To remedy this, I've created a Lost & Found Sock Board.  When one sock is found, simply clip it to the board - that way, when the other sock has turned up, you know exactly where to hunt down its partner.

This is a quick, inexpensive and easy diy that can be customized to members of your family or fun for kids! 

Materials:
Wood Board (I got mine from Michael's in the wood section)
Drill
Scrapbook Paper
Clothes Pins
Pencil
Hole Punch
Mod Podge
Sponge Brush
Mod Podge Roller (optional)
Stickers
Scissors
String
Hot Glue Gun

Instructions:

1.  Drill holes in board where you would like to have your string go through.  

2.  Cut scrapbook paper to size and use hole punch to create openings over string holes.  The best way I found to do this was to put the paper face down on the table, lay the wood piece on top of it, and mark the holes on the paper using the pencil.

 3.  Mod Podge the entire wood board with sponge brush, line up paper and smooth onto board.  I use a Mod Podge roller to get out my bubbles in the paper.

4.  Cut second piece of scrapbook, apply Mod Podge to back of sheet, and place.

5.  Apply fun stickers!  And Mod Podge the entire board.  Mod Podging over the stickers will ensure longevity.  Allow to dry.

6.  Once entirely dry,  use hot glue gun to apply additional embellishments and clothes pins.

7.  After everything has dried and settled, cut string to size and hang!

Happy Father's Day!

A very Happy Father's Day wish all the amazing dads in the world!

Enjoy the day!

Pinspiration Friday: Best Father's Day Gift Sets

If your dad is anything like my dad or my father-in-law, 

you face one of two issues every time you need to give them a gift.  

1) They buy everything for themselves 

OR 

2) They are impossible to buy for.

My go-to solution for difficult gift-receivers is

The Gift Set

For dads, it's all about personality.  

Whether he's the white collar type or the superhero type... 

a gift set will give him everything he could ever want.  

Below are some of my favorite ideas!

The Man's Man

 Source

 The Superhero

Source

The Office (Candy) Junkie

Source

The Snacker

Source

The Chef

Source

You can stay up-to-date on all the great gift set ideas I find across the interwebs by following my "Great Gift Sets" board on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jeneevans/great-gift-sets/

Still looking for a card to give dad.  Why not make one?  Free Printable Father's Day Card here: http://thecreativecubby.blogspot.com/2012/06/fathers-day-card-free-printable.html