Tamera Beardsley: Fourth of July decor

Happy 4th of July

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

.... styling the 4th of July.... some of my favorites...

The 4th of July has always been a favorite family holiday at our house...

and such a fun summer event to celebrate and style.

I have gathered some of my favorite styling ideas and traditions here to share.

Styling with flags is one of my favorites...

It's quick to do... and just as quick to take down.

I add to my collection each year.... by picking up them up by the tens.

One quick trick I like to do with flags...

is decorate my mantle.

I did a DIY post about it here.

The quick basic is to use mason jars filled with dry rice...

and add 3 or more flags to each jar.

The rice will keep your flags standing tall.

Doing this in multiples...

adds the greatest impact.

When my kids were little...

making cupcakes and brownies for the block parties became a family tradition.
They each made something of their own...
to contribute to the festivities.

One of my favorite 4th craft projects was

torn paper flags with buttons for the stars.
( I still have them today).

I brought out supplies for everyone at the block party to make one...

I then collected them....

and we used them to decorate with at the lake block party on the fourth...

Everyone got to see their flag proudly displayed...

and then to take home their flag that night.

Packing picnics for the 4th on the lake....

summer styling bliss for me.

You can see...

flags work with ease for picnics as well.

as was dressing the family for the fourth each year....

so much so...

I kept all of these holiday treasures...

even using them to decorate with some years.
Now that they are all grown...

I have only myself to dress...
and it's really not too bad...

To everything there is a season.

Wishing you all a wonderful 4th of July!

as always dear friends

I wish you love and joy

as your style your life

Fast and Easy Fourth of July Mantle.....

I am so excited to share my fast and easy 4th of July mantle idea! This idea can be implemented not only for a mantle, but anywhere you want some seasonal cheer. The best part, it's Fast, Easy and Economical!!

First I used my mantle 'canning jars'', this time I filled them almost to the top with rice. I had the rice left over from my living room center piece, but sand or tiny pebbles, ect. would also work.

The rice acts as a filler which will hold the upcoming flags in place, similar to the glass pebbles which hold flowers in place, the rice is just less expensive and doesn't have to be stored.

I have over the years collected the medium sized flags which come on their own 'pole'. I have bought these at both Target and Walmart. They usually come in packs and can be used year after year!

Next the flags are placed in the rice filled jars. I start with one flag in each jar and progress until each jar has three flags. I do it this way because when working in layers it is easier to see how the whole assemblage of flags works together, for the mantle as a whole.

First layer, one flag, one jar.

Adding flags until each jar contains three flags.

Voila!! The 4th of July mantle is complete! This simple idea brings huge impact for the effort!! My favorite kind of Styling!!

This simple idea of flags plus jars (or cans, or any vessel you have), plus rice, (or sand or pebbles ect.), can be used anywhere! Barbeques, parties, inside or out! Anywhere you want to celebrate our country!!