Seasonal Savings: Independence Day Crafts
As we rapidly approach Independence Day, it’s important to think about and appreciate all of the sacrifices that have been made to keep our country free. While thinking over the importance of this holiday, I often find it’s easier to engage young kids with craft projects to keep them thinking about the topic and new creative ways to express their appreciation or knowledge. Who better to look to for home craft projects than Martha Stewart? Let’s do something a little more festive and active for this week’s seasonal savings: I have picked a few of Martha Stewart’s recommended projects for the 4th of July and help you find the best prices and savings on craft supplies. Enjoy!
Project 1: Patriotic Votives - Once the fireworks have left the sky and night falls, the 4th of July doesn’t have to be over! Engage the kids with this creative and colorful project, talking about the importance of red, white, blue and how candles are used to light the way of lost souls, or bring hope to those who wait for news. Whatever story you choose to tell, these votives are sure to bring light and happiness to your Independence Day festivities.
1. Measure the height and circumference of the container, adding 1/2 inch to the circumference. Cut a piece of glassine to these measurements. Wrap the glassine around the container, and adhere using the double-sided tape.
2. Use the remaining colors to create patterns and decorations on the votive, such as stripes of colored glassine. Cut the stripes with the edgers or rotary cutter to give them an added visual appeal. Affix the decorations to the votive using the double-sided tape or glue stick.
Supplies: Cylindrical clear-glass containers, glassine sheets (in red, white and blue), tape measure, rotary cutter or edgers, double-sided tape and a glue stick.
Where to get the supplies:
Clear Glass Containers: Save-On-Crafts.com has 10” tall cylinder vases for sale for $4.39 each, or order 12 for $3.59 each.
Glassine Sheets: More difficult to find, I recommend going to your local art supply store or even printmaking specialty stores (glassine is used a lot for transferring designs from photograph to print media). iMcClains.com has Glassine in sheets for $4.80.
Project 2: Stylish Clip Art Invitations - Print out invitations never looked so good!
Supplies: Matte heavyweight paper, scissors, craft or screw punch, ribbon and a white gel-ink pen.
Directions, as taken from Martha Stewart’s Independence Day page:
Invitation How-To
1. Print image, and trim. Make a pair of holes where indicated on the clip art with a 1/8-inch hole punch (holes must be smaller than the ribbon).
2. Cut two pieces of 1/4-inch ribbon 3 inches long. Layer ribbons on top of one another, and slip each end into a hole from front. Pull taut; even out ends. Thread each end of ribbon through opposite hole from back; pull taut. Trim ends at an angle.
3. Fill out invitation details with gel-ink pen.
For these invitations, it’s all about the paper quality. You want it to be matte (meaning non-shiny) finish, thick (but not so thick that it can’t fit through the printer) and colorful (red or blue). If you pick the right paper, then less is more in terms of the embellishments. Find good cardstock or heavyweight paper at your local crafts or art supply store, for around $10-12 a pack. CameraWorld.com offers Cardstock pack of 70 pieces in assorted colors for $7.05.
Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more arts and crafts supplies.
