Red, White, and Blue - UWIB Blog Hop

Each month the Unique Women in Business (UWIB) team does blog hop. This month's theme is "Red, White, and Blue."

What immediately comes to mind for me is the 4th of July (also known as Independence Day).  There are plenty of parades, picnics, fireworks, and other events to celebrate the day.  But why are we celebrating it?

According to the History.com website:

July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83).

In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

What are some ways to create a festive environment at home to celebrate the 4th of July? 

Reusable Fabric Bunting

This year, I made some red, white, and blue buntings to decorate the home and yard.  I made some extra ones that are available in my shop, Harvest Moon by Hand.

Red, white, and blue bunting

available at Harvest Moon by Hand.

Table Runner

In a past issue of Home Companion magazine, there was a picture of a table runner made from kraft paper that had flowers and circles cut from decorative paper sewn on with red thread.  I thought it would be nice to have something special for the table that is a bit more permanent.

So, I picked out tan linen fabric, red thread, fabric in red, white, and blue patterns. I cut out different sizes of circles and then sewed them randomly onto the fabric.  After that, I hand-embroidered each circle onto the fabric using the blanket-stitch.

Hand-embroidered table runner

with red-thread accent lines.

Origami Centerpiece

My daughters and I made this centerpiece by making origami cranes from scrapbooking paper, and punching circles from red, white, and blue scrapbooking paper.  We hung the cranes and circles on branches that were placed in a vase.  There are red and white glass pieces at the bottom of the vase.

Vase with origami cranes and

red, white, and blue paper ornaments.

Window Stars

I also like to decorate with red, white, and blue window stars.  There are many different patterns available at Harvest Moon by Hand including the trio of stars below.

The red, white, and blue window stars are available here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/26133811/fourth-of-july-trio-of-window-stars

If you would like to see what other women on the UWIB team created for the Red, White, and Blue Blog Hop, please visit the websites below:

RitaWetzel http://handmadebits4u.blogspot.com/

JudyWoodley http://wellspringcreations.blogspot.com/

LindaStranger http://capecodjewel.blogspot.com/

TrudyMiller http://mommagoddesstreasures.blogspot.com/

Wendy Kelly http://blog.vintageday.com/

Miriam Nelken http://goldcrestbags.blogspot.com/

RobinKoehler http://nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com/

Cory Trusty http://store.aquarianbath.com/index.php/blog

AudreyFetterhoff http://audreygardenlady.blogspot.com/

Janet Bocciardi http://thehoneyfromthebee.blogspot.com/