4th of July Blocks & Fireworks

The inspiration for this project comes from a combination of projects made by Made By Meech and Ginger Snap Crafts.

Candle Fireworks at Made By Meech

USA Blocks by Ginger Snap Crafts

I had some leftover 4x4 blocks from a Mother's Day gift last year and decided that this was just the thing to do with them. I loved the scrappy look of the fireworks, but didn't have blocks or candles that size.

The blocks are pretty easy. Not pics during the process, but I sanded and then painted the blocks red. Then I mod podged some scrapbook paper onto the blocks. The vinyl letters were cut from white vinyl with my Silhouette. Love that little magical machine!

I love these little fireworks. Any guesses on what the holders are made from? Anyone?

A Pringles can! Hubs got some cans of Pringles (or "Springles" as Andyroo calls them) for Father's Day and I couldn't let him throw the cans away. I knew I could find something to do with them, but I had no idea what. He looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him not to throw them away, but he humored me anyway. What a good guy! :)

I covered two cans with blue card stock, then embellished with a couple strips of red, white, and blue star paper and some red raffia. Easy peasy!

The fireworks were a little harder and I did some experimenting with the curling and type of paper. I used card stock for the red and blue fireworks. I liked that it didn't curl up so much and it seemed to hold it's shape a little better too. However, wrapping the card stock around the skewers was a little hard. The white firework was made with just plain white copy paper and they held a curl REALLY well, but I prefer the more relaxed curl. The copy paper was much easier to wrap though!

I cut the paper into 4-inch strips. Then I took those strips and cut along the strip every 1/4th of an inch or so down to about 1/2" from the edge. Sorry, I forgot to snap a picture! I found the best way to to do the fireworks was to precurl around the bottom (where it wraps around the skewer), but not the actual firework curls. I tried it both ways and if the fireworks are already curled, then it is harder to wrap around the skewer. Does that make any sense at all? I hope so! I did paint my skewers white before wrapping them also.

To keep the skewers in place and to give them a little more height, I poured some dry beans into the bottom of the can.

So fun! I love looking at them sitting on top of our entertainment center (we're not cool enough to have a mantle)!! Even hubby said they turned out awesome. He usually loves everything I make, but we don't have a lot of holiday decorations, so I think that's what he really liked these.

I also love how you can stack the blocks different ways. Straight across, stacked up, or in the pyramid style. So fun!

What kind of decor do you put out for the 4th of July?

P.S. Sorry for the sometimes dark pictures. We're in a basement apartment that doesn't get much light anytime, day or night. Plus, my camera is old and not so great anyway. Oh well. You can only do so much as poor college students waiting for a better job!