Decorating with Old Glory for the 4th of July

With things a bit busy around here I haven't even had a chance to share my 4th of July Porch.  I always feel a big gush of pride when I'm able to hang up my red, white and blue buntings.  It says summer's here and there's nothing else like the 4th of July anywhere else in the world!

I've pressured washed the porch and it's all fresh for summer.

My red rockers look like they were painted just for the celebration.  These have gone from natural to yellow, to black, to red.  I'm debating whether it's time for a change again.  I hope to get some #paint soon and get the porch brightened up.

 I did repaint a few pieces already, like this little side table.  I made this simple little flag pillow last year.  More about that in another post.

 My former neighbor gave me the cute little bench before moving earlier this year.  She told me sweet memories of her children play driving a car on it and then her grandchildren doing the same.  I sanded and painted it with plans to stencil a phrase across the back.  That will happen soon.  The tin buckets above were from the dollar store a couple of years ago and I just got those painted in time for the 4th.  Notice my little white star on the back of the bench.  It's a carpenters wooden folded measuring tape.  It folds into the perfect star.

I found both of these lanterns in two different thrift stores last year.  One was from Ikea and the other from Big Lots.  Identical - who knew.  A little paint and another patriotic item for my porch.

The pillow was a zero cost diy project.  I took some linen like fabric that I had on hand cut 2 squares to the size I wanted.  Painted them and stitched it together.  I'll have a post about both pillows up soon. If you can stitch a straight line you can make these pillows.

I love the candle light as the sun goes down.

Well that's my little spot of Americana.  I hope you enjoyed your visit and that you'll be back soon.  I'd love it if you'd leave a comment.  They make my day so much brighter.

Hugs Y'all...

Tracy 

Playing with Paper and Glue for the Red White and Blue

First, I want to apologize to everyone who has left comments lately.  My computer's been giving me a fit for nearly a week now and it takes me forever just to get a post up.  Hopefully by tomorrow we might be back on track.  I appreciate all of you and your comments so much, it breaks my heart not to be able to let you know individually.  Danged computer, I barely even have any hair left. LOL.
I finally grew up and now I get to play with paper and glue.  So I  made this to hang in my MIL's nursing home room,to celebrate our nations 235 birthday!  I finally played with my Cricut too and made the little flowers and leaves.  I can't wait to do more with it.  Go America!!!

When I was little we had an old craft book that belonged to my sister Joni or maybe it was just the families.  It was the early 1960's but I'm sure the book was from the 50's.  I loved that book it was black and white but to me, it was the most interesting book we had.  I looked at that old tattered book all the time.  I know my mother would be saying not again as she saw me heading her way with that book.  I was forever asking her if we could do some of those projects.  The answer was always the same, maybe tomorrow.  I'm sure mama had no clue that it was so important to me and that I would grow up loving to craft.

Mama never did care much for crafting that was more fun than it was practical.  Mama wasn't old fashion by any means. She always was interested in learning more.  I still remember her taking a high school night class on accounting.  It wasn't something she needed to do, she was a stay at home mom, she just wanted to.  She worked when she was younger and even for a short while when she first married.  Mom loved to play bridge, crochet, do needlepoint, cross stitch, crochet and knit.  She had more patience and coordination than I did.  But oh' how Mama could sew.  She was a seamstress extroidinaire.  Again, not craft sewing but clothing.  She was so good at sewing tailored clothing.  Something she only did for her and her girls and maybe a friend or two.   She learned from her mother just as most girls did in the 30's when it was so important and so neccessary. Maybe that's why she didn't care for quilting like my grandma.  Maybe she had seen too much of that done out of neccesity.  But later she still took more classes to learn the finer art of tailored slit pockets and things of that sort.  She had a very Jaqueline Kennedy, (mom's name was even Jackie) or Chanel Coco sort of style.  Simple was more. 

I can remember Grandma occasionally sewing on her old treadle singer sewing machine. I'm so proud to be the owner of that old sewing machine of Grandma's now.  Mama had a singer too, which I learned to sew on.  Thank goodness it was an electric machine.  I've had several sewing machines since then and none have been as good as that one was.  And none have certainly lasted as long.  That was way back when they were American made and made to last and last.  Most items were made that way back then.  It only seemed practical to make a product that would stand the test of time.  Later as business dynamics changed.  Companies came to the conclusion, that for a business model, that may not be the most profitable plan.  And so started the long or short road to the throw away society.

I love America and to me America means the history of our ancestors.  The strength that it took for them to fight for such a young country, to believe totally in it's purpose through good times and bad.  To be proud to call America home in the worst of times.  Always banning together for the common good when it truly mattered.  For the great sacrafices that families endured in times of war and how they still continued to love and believe in this great country of ours.  A country built on freedom, liberty and justice for all. 

I'm sure every country believes they are doing whats best.  And it's citizens are proud and have undying love for their country but as an American I know that our forefathers left their homes and came to this unknown land to make a better life for future generations. 

I've seen our society go through a ME generation and I believe we're seeing what was reaped from that now.  If anything positive has come from the economic crisis our country has recently faced, it's the coming together again.  The equal suffering of the rich and poor.  Oh' there will always be ones who are still spending what we as middle class could never even concieve.  They bank accounts may have even taken a hit but it's not like their daily lives will ever feel it.  But for the most part neighbors are more empathatic of others because they have been touched in some way by this shift in money.  Maybe there's something to be grateful for in that.

Thank God I live in America, The Land of the Free!!!

Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend. 

XOXO's....Tracy :)

Featured Post - Staring Lori Hairston and the Red, White and Blue

I adore her creations.  And I couldn't wait to share my new to me discovery with you.  You may have already found Lori but if not, it's my pleasure to introduce you to Lori Hairston.  Lori's the cutest girl from Oklahoma City who creates the most fabulous paper art.


As soon as as saw this 4th of July banner I was enthralled with her art and wanted to see more.  Lucky for me she's been blogging since 2008.  I found so many adorable things that I didn't want to leave the page.  It's a good thing Lori leaves so far away or I'd be begging her to come over and craft with me every day.  Lori was kind enough to let me feature her and answer a few questions for me.  Be sure to read Lori's (my first) interview at the bottom of this post. 

Isn't this the greatest Americana banner ever!!!

I'm lovin' the vintage goodness of it.  This really speaks out and celebrates our 235th birthday!

 These block she made are so fun and super cute.  This is just one of six images.

Here's a 2nd image from the set of blocks.

I  can just imagine some child (or me) being over the moon when they receive a ribbon like this one.  Don't you just picture a home town parade or country fair and this being the Grand Prize Ribbon!

And Lori's not just a Red, White and Blue Girl.  Oh' no she's much more than that.  She has such a love of vintage images and her creativeness knows no bounds.  Take a look at this Sweet Cherries card.

 Is this not the most precious Easter Card?!  Called the "The Sweet Girl with the Really Big Hat"  says it all.  You know how they how a fruit of the month club as I've always dreamed of, the gift of a flower arrangement a month for the year.  Well now I'm dreaming of receiving a card (or any other thing) a month from Lori.  Wouldn't that be the perfect gift from the hubby a prepaid year of goodness.  There's a new business there for you Lori.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at Lori's creations as much as I have.  You can click here or on any picture to be taken to that particular page to visit with her.  She's a must see!

My first featured interview with Lori herself.

CPC: How did you first begin crafting?

LH:  I had always dabbled in crafts, but really began scrapbooking when my daughter, Lauren, left home for school seven years ago. I had empty nest syndrome really bad - had to have something to fill up my time...

CPC: Are you interested in other crafts besides paper crafts?
LH:  I also create soldered jewelry, do a little sewing (purses, little animals), and also enjoy baking.


CPC: What is your favorite creations so far?
LH:  Favorite creations include holiday decor (especially Halloween, 4th of July, and Christmas).

CPC: When do you find time to craft?
LH:  I work, so crafting takes place before I go to work, lunchtime, after work and weekends - just about every day!

CPC: Have you published any of your awesome art?
LH: I have had a few projects published in on line publications, like Scrapstreet Magazine.

CPC: What influences your works?
LH: Influences are mostly just what makes me happy - vintage images and pretty papers and stamps. Then I just have fun with them!

CPC: Do you sell your art?

LH: I do sell my creations. I have my things in two stores here in OKC and then twice a year I have a show and sale at my house, so that people can special order things.

CPC: What's next?

LH:  What's next? I'm not sure... I'd like to put together some "few-of-a-kind" specialty kits that include vintage items and perhaps have them in an etsy shop.

CPC: Do you have any tips on organizing your craft supplies, your time. Do you have any tips on planning your designs, etc...

LH: I have no trouble organizing -but can't keep it that way! I'm a mess! It's too bad, because some days I spend a lot of time looking for that certain item I KNOW I have


SOMEWHERE...


CPC: Is there anything you'd like to tell us about you?
LH:  I've been married 29 years to my wonderful husband, Dennis. We have one daughter, Lauren, who lives in Wichita with her husband. Our house will be turning 102 years old this year, which is really old for Oklahoma. We love it, but is it ever a money pit! When I'm not papercrafting, I'm often reading.

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us Lori!

God Bless America

Happy 4th to everyone.  Please be safe and have fun.

XOXO's....Tracy :)