Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day! 

      Aren't we all thankful for our country?  Celebrate the freedoms that we have...pray for those who are not so fortunate.
      Here are photos of the festivities at our house this year.

This sweet bottle is embellished with lace, rhinestones, crochet trims, jewelry and a patriotic image found at The Graphics Fairy.  I filled the bottle with fluffy white feathers and an American flag. 

 I put the bottle in this patriotic vignette next to two apothecary jars filled with...sweet vintage baby shoes!  These baby shoes represent sentimental family moments.  Patriotism and Family...that's what it's all about!  I put some fun patriotic jewelry in with the baby shoes along with ribbon at the top of the jars.

Votives wrapped with ribbon and jewelry complete the setting.

This sweet image is also from The Graphics Fairy.

 More flags added around the house.

      
       The banner above on the mantle is my own little creation!  I used the constitution, the declaration of independence, and sheet music for The Stars and Stripes Forever.  On top of these I layered other patriotic images, (mostly from The Graphics Fairy).  Then more patriotic colored jewelry, glittered paper, crepe paper ruffles, and wooden letters spelling July 4th.  The silver goblets on the mantle hold American flags. 

I copied this idea from pinterest...I used my daughter's outgrown jeans -- cut the waist band off, the used my son's outgrown jeans -- cut the waist band off -- and voila!  Just put them around a two tiered tray!  My son's jeans fit perfectly around the bottom tier.  My daughter's jeans had the type of waist band that has elastic that buttons on the inside - so I could adjust it to make it fit.  Then I added a small amount of hot glue so that it would stay on.  Then I taped napkins to the post in the middle.

  

 The banner on the front porch is made from strips of red white & blue fabric.  The blue is actually denim...my daughter's jeans (that were too small) cut into strips.  I tied these strips onto a simple jute rope while sitting at my son's baseball game (double header...several hours!...so I usually bring an activity.  Tying fabric onto a rope is a good activity for such a setting.)

     Next I embellished this plain gray T shirt - I printed the constitution onto fabric using the freezer paper method.  Then I added a blue ruffle, a white ruffle, and rhinestones!  Oh my!

Printed on fabric, traced my desired shape...

Cut out and peeled off the freezer paper...

Sewed onto t-shirt using zig zag stitch

Fray check any loose threads.  Put a blue ruffle around the edge...

Now a white ruffle around the edge...

And then - rhinestones!

We watched our small town parade...

      We can watch the fireworks display from our front yard - our little Texas town puts on a fireworks display at a park very close to us.  So we can see them perfectly from our front yard.  It's fantastic!
      Hope your Independence Day was fantastic!  : )
Linking up with these parties:

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

 Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday at All Things With Purpose

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

You're Gonna Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

We did it Wednesday at Sew Much Ado

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound