Old Glory Gets a New Twist

With the summer upon us and the U.S. Independence Day holiday just a few days away, I couldn’t resist reaching for my patriotic reds and blues this week. I’ve chosen Outdoor Denim and Cranberry, and paired them with touches of Twilight and Desert Sand for some fabulous all-American artwork that captures the spirit of the season. If you’re like me, you’ve got family parties and barbecues on the menu. With just a little effort, you can make that gathering grand! Start with simple party favors, an invitation, or even candle covers to establish your theme.

I just have to point out two of the party elements that I adore: the first is the placemat. These can be made in just a few minutes from page protectors, if you can believe it! Each placemat uses 6”x12” sections of a 12”x12” page protector; with a sewing machine, sew a seam up the middle of one page protector, then cut a second protector in half and stitch its longer open side shut, while also sewing it to the edge of your first page protector. Ensure your openings are always at the top. This will give you three “sleeves,” each one 6”x12.” Just slip in any kind of artwork you like—like the flag design I’ve used. The coolest thing about these placemats is that they’re reusable and totally customizable—you can create “sleeves” of artwork for birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other fun event!

I also LOVE the water bottle covers—how many of you have been at a crowded family reunion, and suddenly no one can tell whose water bottle belongs to whom? To prevent yourself from accidentally gulping down Uncle Earl’s water, spend a few minutes creating personalized hang tags for each guest. Guests will love the personal and artistic touch for the party—they’ll appreciate sharing the love without sharing the germs! And of course, you’ll want to take plenty of photos from your Fabulous Fourth celebration, so don’t forget to create a coordinating layout using the same color scheme. It’s a perfect way to remember the perfect patriotic party!