Fast and Fabulous 4th of July

With less than a week away from the Fourth of July, it's due time to think about the big barbecue, and how you can make it red, white, and true blue festive! Put on your patriotic hat and create these easy favors and decorations that will bring about that All American feel.....even if your short on time and short on budget!

Red, White, and Blue Nuggets

What you need:

Hershey Milk Chocolate Nuggets

Scrapbooking paper in red, white, and blue

Gluestick

Cellophane bags- (Mine were 4 X 5 1/2 inches.)

Cut your paper into 1 x 3 1/4 inch strips, wrap around the candy,and glue ends together. Sprinkle these around the table, set in a dish or put in cellophane bags for favors! For a cellophane bag topper, cut a piece of decorative paper 4 x 5 inches, fold in half, and decorate. Attach to the cellophane bag with gluestick. It's that easy!

Fire Cracker Favors

What you need:

Candy in roll form, such as life savers

Scrapbooking papers in red, white, and blue

Lightweight string or ribbon

Small circle punch (optional)

Gluestick

Wrap the paper around the candy, gluing the long edge with a glue stick. Trace the top of the candy for a circular shape and cut out, or use a small circle punch if you have one. Puncture a small hole in the top center of the circle. Loop a small piece of string, (about 3/4 inch) and insert through the circle. Glue string ends to underneath side of circle and attach to the top of the candy roll to complete the fire cracker.

Patriotic Pinwheels

What you need:

Scrapbooking papers in red, white, and blue

Ribbon
Buttons

Skewers

Ruler

Gluestick

Stapler

For each pinwheel, cut two 5 inch squares. Glue the two squares together (or use double sided tape) so you have "reversible" paper. Measure 2 1/2 inches from each edge and mark the center of the square.From each corner on the square, draw a 2 3/4 line toward the center. Cut along each line being careful that each is accurately cut the same length. From each of the four sections, fold the right corner toward the middle. Staple in place. Glue a button in the middle and attach ribbons where you'd like! Glue pinwheel onto a skewer.....a festive decoration for the fourth!

Super Easy... But Oh So Great Table Candles!

What you need:

Glass candle holders
Scrapbooking papers in patriotic colors

Gluestick

Wrap red, white, and blue papers around candle holders and glue. Try using various sizes of candle holders and sprinkle around your tables, patios, or decks. This is an instant, yet effective holiday decoration that looks fab!

Red, White, and Blue Strawberry Skewer Rockets!

What you need:

Fresh Strawberries

Wooden Skewers

Curling ribbon

Star cookie cutter or star punch

Scrapbooking papers

Cut out two star shapes. You may do as I did and trace the shape from a star cookie cutter, or use a large star hand punch if you have one. Push three or four strawberries onto a wooden skewer. Glue the two star shapes onto its tip. Attatch curling ribbon under the star and curl. Cut a cirlcle or another star shape and slide onto skewer underneath the strawberries. Tie more curling ribbon underneath.

Coming next week: Kids Party Favors