Let Freedom RING!

I made my way to the dollar store this weekend and walked away with this (and some other finds, but that will have to wait)....

Inspired by this find at Fiskars....

I created these bad boys....

My kids are going to hand these Ring Pops out to their cousins tomorrow at our family 4th of July get together!  The glow sticks will be for later that evening....simple, easy, inexpensive and the kids will love them.  Can't go wrong!

Patriotic Wreaths

I have seen a lot of patriotic wreath ideas floating around out there so I thought I would share my findings...  And it's not too late, you still have a few days to make one! 
Young and Crafty created this square wreath out of...can you believe...newspaper!?!  I love that the wreath is square, first of all, making it already different than most, but also how creative the concept is.  Oh and let's not forget, basically free to make as well!

This next one from Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo I thought was clever too.  The flip flop at the bottom definitely helps to give it that summer time feel!

BUT I also love this {balloon} wreath she won from Bugaboo, Mini Mr. & Me.

This garland and pinwheel wreath comes from The Jubilee Circus.

I love how Annie from Behind Our Front Door totally made up her wreath as she went along with it.  Sometimes those kind of crafts turn out the best!

This American Flag wreath is made from yarn and comes from The Creative Imperative.

I am a sucker for tulle.  I think tying a tulle bow around a gift makes it look that much better, so I might just have to make myself one of these from It's A Muegge Life.

I hope this post goes to show you that wreaths (or most crafts for that matter) can be cheap, easy, beautiful and original!  Now what are you waiting for?   Head to your local craft store (or look around the house) and get busy making your own!

More Red, White, & Blue Food

Here are some more great food ideas for you to bring to your 4th of July BBQ!
How about starting the day off right with a 4th of July breakfast from Be Different Act Normal.

I love this healthy idea, using fruit kabobs to create the American flag.  Idea from The Englands.

Fresh Cut got creative with this flag Jell-o!

Amazing flag cake from Crafty Mama:

This next flag cake comes from Ladybird Ln.  The outside of the cake has fireworks....

and the inside looks like the American flag!

White chocolate dipped strawberries from J & M's Eye Candy.

*On a side note, I am still super frustrated with the whole comment thing from Blogger.  I like to leave comments for people when I see something I like.  You know, show some Blogger love, but I am still not able to on all blogs.  It seems I either have to leave my comment from "anonymous" or if I get lucky, on some blogs (not all) it leaves me signed in so I can leave a comment as myself.  If I have to try to sign in on my "google account" to leave the comment, it won't allow me to do so.  It just continues to log me out and around and around it goes.  Am I the only one this is happening to or am I suddenly not doing something right?  I have even changed up my blog's comment settings to allow "anonymous" comments in case others are dealing with this same issue.  HELP!!

Red, White & Blue Treats

The 4th of July is right around the corner...Monday to be more exact.  Do you have any BIG plans?  Well since BBQs on the 4th are almost as American as the fireworks, what are you bringing to your BBQ?  Here are a few red, white and & blue ideas to get you feeling a little more patriotic...
OH. MY. GOODNESS!  I so LOVE these firework cookies from Red Couch Recipes.  They are so cool looking!!

Cupcake Kabobs from The Cupcake Activist.

These Rice Krispie Treat Flags from Simply Designing look like a fun way to get the kids involved.

Brownie Cheesecake from Sun Scholars.

An American flag lemonade cake from Bebe A La Mode Designs.

Star Cookies from Nestle, topped with strawberries and blueberries...making them a healthy choice of course! ;)

And finally, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes from Food, Folks, and Fun.  Not because they look patriotic, but because they look completely irresistible!