HOORAY! We are almost finished painting my sewing room / design studio . . . but it is pretty big so it is taking a while, since we mostly can only work on it on the weekends. And then, if something else is scheduled for the weekend (like last weekend when we were invited to a friend’s house for a barn party, which was great fun!), then we have even less time to pull out all of the paint paraphernalia and roll up our sleeves. My girls have been helping me this week with some of the painting and reorganizing, but the BIG paint jobs require a little more height and muscle, so hopefully when our Dad comes home we’ll be able to all work together and get this project DONE!

Not only am I really wanting this project finished so that it isn’t all in a jumble, but I really, really want to get back to business “making stuff.” So while I’m still not able to jump in and create new stuff for my Etsy shops, I decided to do a little investigation into some of the amazing craft projects out here for the Fourth of July. Well! Of course there are a million and one (or more) craft project ideas to be found on Pinterest and everywhere else on the internet, sometimes it feels rather overwhelming with so many ideas tumbling out all over one another.

As I started looking for ideas of things that I want to create as soon as that studio is finished, I decided to organize some of the things that looked like fun to me, and stop looking at all the million and one other things out there. Because I do mostly fiber art work, I am always intrigued by projects that are made from ribbon, fabric, lace, and buttons, so I found lots of ideas for making patriotic home decor and clothing using those things. And of course I couldn’t resist at least ONE Mason Jar idea!

While I was looking for ideas that I want to work on in my newly painted craft / sewing studio, I was very quickly convinced (as if I didn’t already know this!) that having good images for your posts is HUGE – even if a project seemed intriguing, if the picture with the post wasn’t light, clear, and in focus, I just moved on to the next one. That’s a big consideration for all of us as bloggers or shop owners when we are putting together our posts or listings. Some of the images were just “messy” – lots of clutter in the background, out of focus, too dark to really see the finished project, crooked, and just plain unattractive.

Unfortunately some of these craft images have been posted on numerous different websites and blogs, so when I found one I really liked, I tried to track down the original owner / blogger but I was not always able to locate that information . . . but everything can be found on Pinterest if you are interested in trying to locate the tutorial or original blogger. When I was able to find the tutorial or original blog post, I have linked to it below.

Here are a few of the patriotic craft ideas that I am hoping to work on just as soon as the paint dries! If you have a patriotic craft idea, I would love to have you share it with me so I can give it a try – just as soon as that paint dries!!!

Patriotic Button Flag

This is a wall hanging that was in an art exhibit (according to the information I could find), and I thought that it was a great idea to make on stretched canvas with painted stripes and blue behind the stars. It looks like the stars are cut-outs but if I actually get a chance to do this project, I would use white stars, either painted, or star buttons, or white star cut outs. What do you think?

Patriotic Painted Birdhouses

from AllFreeHolidayCrafts

Well, how cute is this idea? I actually have several cute, but old, birdhouses sitting out in our garage and I had pretty much decided that I didn’t want my deck looking “junky” so I was going to toss them out . . . but now I think I’ve changed my mind! This is a project that I could actually do out in the garage on my hubby’s work bench (shhhh! Don’t tell him. I’ll be careful not to get paint all over the place) so maybe this afternoon after I get my other work finished I’ll give it a try. I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Ribbon and Lace American Flag

from craftiments.com

This one is my absolute favorite! I’ve been wanting to make this Ribbon and Lace American Flag since last summer when I actually had so many other distractions in life that I didn’t accomplish much of anything all . . . I decided that’s not going to happen this summer! So this will probably be the first patriotic craft I do as soon as the paint dries! I love this beautiful, kind of vintage-looking, rather boho design and think it will be beautiful hanging on our deck in our little gazebo (which also needs to be painted, but that will just have to wait for another day).

Patriotic Mason Jar Lanterns

from Addicted2DIY

Of course, I just had to include a Mason jar craft in this collection! When I came across this patriotic DIY project, I was actually looking for something to do with Mason jars that would be practical. There are lots of beautiful ideas for decorating Mason jars, and lots of them are practical, but many of them are for decoration only. Like the beautiful vases that are all lined up on a windowsill with summer blooms cascading down the sides of the jars. They are really beautiful, but I was hoping to find some inspiration to make some tea lights, or luminaries, or in this case Mason jar lanterns. The picture of these lanterns all lit up in the darkness is really pretty, too, but I wanted to capture the finished look so I chose this image. For the complete tutorial, please visit Addicted2DIY and you can make your own Patriotic Mason Jar Lanterns. I’m certainly going to be making some soon – hopefully yet this week!

Patriotic Ruffled Pillow

found on Pinterest

I love this little patriotic ruffled pillow! Even though I did not find the tutorial, I think I can figure it out just by looking at the picture. I looks like the pillow top was created from navy and while polka dot fabric for the stars, and the stripes have been created from pre-made ruffles. Stitched all together onto fabric to make the top of the pillow, with perhaps a pillow form and a fabric backing, this could be a pretty easy project. I could also use fabric scraps to make my own ruffles, but I’m rather annoyed with my ruffler foot these days and I’m afraid I might need to replace it. Unfortunately they are quite expensive, so that probably isn’t going to happen before the Forth of July.

Here’s another creative way to make an American flag for the Forth of July, or really any day at all to display in your home. I found this idea on Pinterest, but I think it was originally posted on CraftsnCoffee.com but I wasn’t able to locate it. It looks similar to the ruffled pillow top, but it appears to be attached to a frame at the top to keep it straight. I’ll have to give it a try and see if I can figure it out. I love the vintage fabric and all the little vintage buttons for the stars. So many ideas, so little time!

Vintage Buttons and Fabric Scrap Patriotic Pillow

Here’s another idea from Pinterest that incorporates two of my favorite things . . . . vintage buttons and fabric scraps! I love the mix of fabric strips, lace trim, top-stitching, and vintage buttons in various sizes and shapes. There’s a million more ideas, but I’ve narrowed my list down to these eight ideas. If I get a chance to make a couple of them, I’ll post pictures of the finished projects.

Patriotic Bunting Pillow

from The Ribbon Retreat

A little different take on the red, white, and blue theme . . . instead of flags, we’ve got a cute little bunting marching across the pillow top. This idea would make a fun wall hanging, banner, or even to embellish a t-shirt for the Fourth of July. Hmmmmm . . . . I just might try making a few of those t-shirts for my online shops!

I would love to see what you are creating for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday celebration. I’m always looking for new ideas, but just don’t overload my brain – I just got it under control! Hope you are having a great summer so far.

Linking up today with the

Create Link Inspire Party

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save