Patriotic Project!

It certainly has been feeling like summer around here lately!  I was complaining that it had been too chilly…and now all of the sudden it went from cool, spring showers directly into the sweltering dog days of summer!  The temperatures are feeling a lot more like July than May…so it got me a little inspired for some Red, White, and Blue.  And bonus, Memorial Day is just around the corner so this little DIY I have planned for today will be a fun addition to your May 29th celebrations AND the Fourth of July!  So we’ll get right to it today and work on a patriotic project to celebrate those red, white, and blue holidays!

create some “kaboom”!

if you’re planning a patriotic celebration, you might want to add a little table scatter to your party!  it’s such a popular trend at parties to spread some fun across the tables holding the food & drink or even on a gift table for celebration where you might have presents!  so i decided to make some cute little firecrackers to add to my decor for all the summer parties requiring a little red, white & kaboom!  these are so easy to make with very simple supplies….

what you will need:

parchment or wax paper

wine corks (used or new)

white and blue paint

red and white paint markers or permanent markers

paint brushes

fringed decorative picks

nippers or wire scissors

i collect corks.  so i’m always looking for fun projects in which i can use them…so for the upcoming holidays i decided to make a few into mini fire crackers!  this is where the paint comes in…

i love this chalk paint!  it comes in a small container so it’s perfect for little projects, it dries faster than traditional acrylic paints, and it give a slightly distressed look which i happen to love.  if that look isn’t for you, just add another couple coats of paint or use spray paint for a glossier appearance!  i spread a large piece of parchment paper on my table and used craft brushes to apply a light coat of paint to the cork, tops and bottoms…the paper will make for easy cleanup later!

then i simply used the white paint marker to draw stars onto the blue corks…

and stripes on the others.  and since the look is distressed, it doesn’t have to be perfect!  you’ll never notice tiny imperfections once they’re tucked into your display!  just have fun!

while those dried, i got ready to make the “sparks” for the top!  and guess what?  there’s no crafting involved here!  i used decorative toothpicks to crown the corks…

you can use nippers to cut the pick just below the tissue tassel…

and using the point of the toothpick you cut off, pierce a hole in the top of the cork and then simply insert the decorative portion!  it’s a tight fit so there’s no glue necessary.

and when i’m ready to entertain during patriotic celebrations…i’m going to scatter these little guys around!

i might even make them into place cards or food labels!  let your imagination help you to decide!

happy crafting!

product guide:

chalk paint, paint markers  Hobby Lobby

craft brushes  Michaels

decorative toothpicks  Party City

(you can find craft wine corks at any craft store)