4th of July Magic: Fireworks in a Jar

Growing up the 4th of July was my favorite holiday. I loved the flags...the red, white and blue...the fireworks...the patriotism. I remember lighting fireworks in my grandparents driveway. It was so much good old fashioned fun!

We cannot set off our own fireworks where we live. Most of the big firework display have been cancelled...or the fog covers them up anyway. So I have to create a little 4th of July magic myself.

USA Banner Tutorial

 So...here is the inspiration...My daughter LOVES snowglobes. I buy them anytime I see them at thrift stores. My daughter loves glitter (so do I)...so I have a feeling this project will be out year round. And believe it or not...in my overly-complicated world...this craft is pretty darn easy and quick!

SUPPLIES

• Baby Oil
• Small (or large jars). I used GLASS jars but you can also use PLASTIC jars for safety sake. I used small 4 oz. jars (from World Market) and a small half pint jelly jar. You can also just use any recycled jars from around the house.
• Gorilla Glue single use tubes
• Glitter (I like the big, inexpensive chunkier glitter for this)
• Sequins in various shapes
• OR use a punch and cut stars (or whatever shape you wish) out of aluminum cans...I succumbed to my love of Diet Coke and purchased a 6 pack just for this project. You can also buy thin sheets of aluminum at craft and hardware stores.
• Scissors

SAFETY FIRST: Gloves and heavy duty scissors or tin snips for the aluminum cans...if you choose do use that option.

CAUTION: If you use the aluminum cans...the edges can be very sharp. wear gloves or be very careful when cutting your can apart. I did this (NOT THE KIDS) and I punched the shapes from the aluminum (NOT THE KIDS).

MAKE IT
OPTIONAL: If you are making your "fireworks" with a punch, do this now. Wash out your aluminum cans (and let dry). Use heavy duty scissors (I did use an old knife to puncture the can near the top) and cut around the top until it is off (remember sharp edges). Cut straight down toward the bottom and then cut the bottom off. Now you have a piece of aluminum.
AGAIN CAUTION: If you use the aluminum cans...the edges can be very sharp. wear gloves or be very careful when cutting your can apart. I did this (NOT THE KIDS) and I punched the shapes from the aluminum (NOT THE KIDS).

• Place you stars, sequins, glitter into the empty glass jar.

• Fill the jar almost completely to the top with baby oil.

• Apply Gorilla Glue to the inside of the lid.
• Screw on the lid tight and let dry!

 Shake away!

Enjoy the show!

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre   Need another great patriotic craft...check out the USA Banner

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Thanksgiving Tabletop Turkey (the non-edible kind)

I hardly ever decorate for Thanksgiving.

In fact last year we went to Disneyland for the holiday.

But this year we are staying home and we need a few little things for our table.

When I received my Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch, I immediately thought the pretty edge of the circle would make pretty turkey feathers.

I was trying to create a modern version of a fold out honeycomb party decorations.
(does that make sense to you??? It did to me anyway!) 

I happen to love they way they turned out!

So, we will behaving visitors this year -

the two legged, gobbling, non-edible kind for Thanksgiving!

SUPPLIES (for one turkey)

• Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch (since this only goes on sale 11/13 and you may want to make turkeys before then, you can easily cut circles and use them for the turkeys and then embellish the edges or other punches or decorative edge scissors)

• Turkey Template DOWNLOAD HERE (if you have trouble let me know - I am not "skilled" as templates. I tired to get this the right size and to be downloadable...sorry tech challenged here!)

• Elmer's Rubber Cement (my glue of choice)
• Hot glue gun and glue stick
• Black Sharpie
• Scissors

Paper:

• I used a fluted sheet of cardstock from Canvas Corp. You can also use paper bags, cereal boxes, chip board - let your imagination run wild!
• Tim Holtz Kraft Kore paper pad with "sophisticated" turkey colors.

• Optional: Distress In, Frayed Burlap

MAKE IT! THIS IS FOR ONE TURKEY
1. Print out the template (click here to download)

2. Cut out 2 turkey bodies in the fluted cardboard (NOTE: you can use any paper - I have even used the back of cereal boxes). BE SURE TO FLIP THE TURKEY BODY OVER SO THAT YOU HAVE ONE OF EACH SIDE.

3. Cute out 2 waddles (I used the same red for all of the turkeys - it only takes a bit of paper).

4. Determine your color combinations for the turkey feathers (my paper pad only had 24 sheets, so I mixed and matched).

5. Cut 3 circles total: 1 - 6" circle, 1 - 7" circle, 1 - 8" circle

6. Fold the circles in half; cut the circles in half; fold the halves in half.

7. Glue the turkey bodies together using the rubber cement (or you glue of choice). Brush rubber cement on both sides of the body and stick together for the best hold.

8. Use the Distress Ink to ink the edges of the turkey body

9. Right where the curve of the turkey neck becomes the "body" run a line of hot glue and attach the one half of the 6" circle along that line  - Try to place it so that the hot glue is not visible from the front of the turkey. Hold in place until glue hardens.

10. Run a line of hot glue just behind the folded 6" circle. Take the half of the 7" circle and place it right up next to the fold of the 6" circle.

11. Run a line of hot glue just behind the folded 7" circle. Take the half of the 8" circle and place it right up next to the fold of the 7" circle.

12. Fan out the folds. My paper was a cardstock and folded and kept its shape pretty well. You can add more glue to keep the feathers in the order/arrangement you desire.  

13. Glue the waddles on the turkeys.

There you go...cute little non-edible turkeys - one for each pace setting...or better yet how about making one big one as a centerpiece - off to make one now! 

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving table decoration?

Don't forget, you can tune into HSN or visit HSN.com on 11/13/12 to get the Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch (it's only available on HSN and HSN.com)

Read my Circle Edge Punch Review

Martha Stewart Crafts is offering a 20% discount online through 12/31/12 when you
enter the Coupon Code BLOG20 at checkout.
(it cannot be used on the Circle Edge Punch which can only be purchased on HSN)

   

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

disclosure: I was supplied a Circle Edge punch for a previously published review

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Martha Stewart Crafts: Circle Edge Punch Review and Project Sneak Peek

I LOVE my craft tools.

Every. Single. One.

I especially love discovering a NEW and INNOVATIVE craft tools.

Late last week I was doing a happy dance when this package
from Martha Stewart Crafts arrived on my doorstep.
Really, how could I go wrong?

Martha Stewart + NEW Craft Tool + My Doorstep = HAPPY LADY

Not only is The Circle Edge Punch great for crafters,
but scrapbookers will love it too...
and and let's not forget bakers and its use in home entertaining!
It makes gorgeous doilies (and yes I use doilies)
and I also use decorative papers on a wood cutting board
when I serve cheeses (no glitter though, please!)

This Tuesday, 11/13 on HSN and HSN.com Martha Stewart
will be debuting her latest crafty innovation:

The Circle Edge Punch.

This punch will be available ONLY on HSN and HSN.com for $35.99.

(Check the schedule here so you don't miss it!)

Once it is gone, you will have to wait until after the holidays to grab one

(so, hint, hint - buy yourself a holiday present NOW!)

I could hardly wait to try this tool out...and I didn't.
I opened that package and got to crafting. 
Look at these gorgeous patterns you can make with The Circle Edge Punch.

I cannot wait to get my hands on more
(so guess where I will be on 11/13...oh yeah...watching HSN!)

What I really loved is that a friend (a non-blogger!) came over,
I showed her how to use it and she was enchanted.
Even proclaimed "I need this!" 
I get giddy over all crafty tools,
but now I had back up, reinforcement, if you will,
 that this tool is AWESOME!

I wanted to show you how easy it is to use...so
Watch this short video I made to see for yourself!

The Circle Edge Punch was designed with ease of use in mind.
It's design truly is innovative.
Using magnets and some seriously good crafty engineering,
The Circle Edge Punch is destined to become a "must have."

The directions are simple, there is no electricity required,
and with it you can create so many beautiful things.

Here are a few of the items I made...I will post these tutorials this week.
 

 Turkeys!!!!!
Take a peek at the tutorial here

A JOY banner

 An oversized paper ornament
(they will be hanging from my porch this holiday season!) 

So, what else did I like about The Circle Edge Punch? 

(besides everything!)
 
You do not need to trim or cut your paper to get the paper to fit into the tool or the correct size circle - it does it for you!

The use of the magnets to hold and turn the paper and to hold the die into place makes sing the tool really easy - I was actually surprised how well the magnets hold the paper and how easy it is to turn the paper as you go.

It runs on people power (no electricity) so it is easy to take to scrapbook retreats or to a friends homes for crafting.

Oh yeah...the circles are pretty

(should that be number 1?) 

 

Additionally, this product features:
1. Punch a continuous, die-cut border in 7 different sizes for paper up to 12 inches
2. No pre-cutting of paper is necessary
3. Trims the paper while punching Great for creating paper crafts such as doilies, cards, decorations and placemats
4. Additional circle edge punch cartridges are available for a wide range of punch designs.

To help get you started decorating and creating a magical holiday season, 
Martha Stewart Crafts is offering a 20% discount online through 12/31/12 when you
enter the Coupon Code BLOG20 at checkout.
(it cannot be used on the Circle Edge Punch which can only be purchased on HSN)

To make matters even craftier, you can enter the “Crafty Mondays” Sweepstakes through 12/31 for your chance to win a $100 Online Shopping Spree to MarthaStewartCrafts.com – just click on either of these quick links: 

http://on.fb.me/TETex3 (non-mobile devices)

http://bit.ly/TsM4HM  (mobile devices) 

Happy Crafting!
Be sure to check back in with Martha Stewart Crafts for more project ideas perfect
for the holidays throughout the coming months!

And visit GalTime for creative ideas throughout the season!

Don't forget tune into HSN on 11/13 at to see Martha Stewart demonstrate The Circle Edge Punch and get yours before the sell out!

Now one last look (for now)...
at those pretty turkey feathers created by the Circle Edge Punch 

 What are you crafting for the holidays????

  

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

This article is sponsored by Martha Stewart Crafts. 

I was provided one Circle Edge Punch for Review, but no other compensation.
Opinions are 100% my own.

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