{Traditional} Patriotic Themed Decor

My sister Molly  (my other sister, not Amanda who's house I've shared before) just moved into a new home and her traditional, Americana style is perfect for 4th of July!
She has allowed me to share her beautiful abode with the world, so thanks Molly!

A Birthday Wall!  Such a cute idea!  Every year she's had the girls' picture taken with their age and now they're arranged beautifully in a collage wall.  Which we all know I love love love collage walls.

 Aren't the doors and the woodwork in this house incredible?? and love those stairs! they will per perfect at Christmastime!

 These are the stairs that lead to the attic, she pulled them down and displaying the  vintage toys they have collected - brilliant!




How are you celebrating your independence (my American and Canadian friends) this week?? I'm heading HOME to Ohio in a few days!! For a few days filled with family, friends, fireworks, and hopefully lots and lots of watermelon :)

Twig Stars

I saw this image on pinterest the other day and knew they'd be super easy to make.

Source: farm6.static.flickr.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

I didn't have much going on yesterday evening so I went for a walk down my street looking for sticks to make stars out of.  a normal thing to do right??

You need 5 sticks of the same length per star.
I laid them out and decided which order I liked them in best, then hot glued them in place with just a dab of glue on the ends.
I wrapped twine around the ends of some of them, but a couple of the stars I liked the way they looked just as they were.  I think the inspiration image might have had too much string and twine for my tastes.

These will be great Christmas or patriotic holiday decorations and were practically free to make and only took about 5 minutes!!

AND on my walk I discovered this old sign!  It had more words but I just broke off the Grenada portion.
I don't know what to do with it yet, but I love it!

Independence Day in Grenada

We had such a fun time at the beach today celebrating the 4th of July and Canada Day!
Be prepared for tons of pictures.

 my free printables from http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/ & http://hankandhunt.blogspot.com/! 

 martha inspired firework cookies & Canadian maple leaves!

glass bottled coke & fruit on a stick :)

starfruits in the lemonade! 

 beautiful rice crispies my friend Stephanie made!

it was hard to get a good picture of the table b/c there were so many people around.
but I love the banners with the ocean background :)

my lunch plate :) 

 my outfit, with obviously a red, white, and blue bathing suit underneath!

 my nails I did a 1am last night b/c I forgot! ah!

I guess I am pretty lucky to live here. check out that crystal clear water!

Happy 4th of July / Canada Day Everyone!!

4th of July Picnic!

this Saturday I am hosting a 4th of July picnic at the beach!!
I'm so excited and have been looking for food and decor ideas!

I know I say it all the time, but it's so annoying to not have access to supplies!
No festive scrapbook paper & strawberries and blueberries are astronomical in the store if they have them at all.
Here are a few things that I think I can do without breaking the bank! 

Cranberry juice, blue gatorade, and diet sprite!
directions here.

paper fireworks from Martha.

Source: emilyhensoninteriors.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

use bananas & grapes instead of strawberries and blueberries maybe??

Source: iammommy.typepad.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

I would make this, but I had a friend volunteer to make red velvet cake, yum!

free printable here

and please check out http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Lorie has had the BEST ideas for the 4th of July over the past couple weeks!!
What are you doing for the 4th of July? or Canada Day? I forgot to mention that it's a combined party & I will also be making maple leaf sugar cookies ;) keeping hubby happy.