4th of July Picnic with Astrobrights Papers

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Growing up with sisters, we shared many experiences together. We shared closets and fought about clothing daily. We shared cars as we made the 45-minute commute back and forth to school. We shared a bed every Christmas Eve before we awoke to presents under the tree. We lived and studied abroad in Florence, Italy. We were teammates on our High School tennis team. We stood next to each other at each other’s weddings.

But, our most recent endeavor is our most favorite. We became moms…together. Our children span from 6-years-old down to 7-months-old, and our children now have the amazing gift of growing up with their cousins.

Now, we text and talk in the wee hours of the morning as we breastfeed our babies. We share photos and videos as our kids take their first steps. We relate to being totally and utterly exhausted, yet blissfully happy when we see our children smile. And, we are overcome with joy when we see our children playing together.

Our children are blessed to spend every holiday together. Watching the fireworks together on July 4th is one of our favorites. So, when presented with an opportunity to plan a 4th of July picnic with ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers, a line of vibrant color paper, we were delighted to bring our families together to celebrate. Armed with a stack of red, white and blue paper, sharp scissors and a really big donut, an Independence Day picnic can be really fun, inexpensive and absolutely adorable.

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Here are some of the details we used to #Colorize our red, white and blue picnic!

INCORPORATE FUN FACTS

We wanted to educate our children, and talk about the history of our fine country. So, we incorporated facts about the U.S.A into our picnic. We used the round labels on top of the mason jars, and to seal our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

The round labels with interesting facts are available for FREE. Click here for the free printable.

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LEARN ABOUT AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY AND ALL 50 STATES

We learned a little geography 101 prepping for this picnic. We wanted to incorporate the shape of good ‘ole U.S.A and all the states that make up this fine country in our picnic. So, we cut, and cut, and cut some more. You can find the shape of the U.S.A, as well as all 50 states for free online. Our Silhouette electronic cutter came to the rescue when our eyes were blurry at 1 a.m.

Who doesn’t love a gigantic donut?! Cut outs of the 50 states on toothpicks were positioned all over the donut. So, as the kids devoured, we talked about the shape of the states.

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We made DIY patriotic paper fans, both large and small, with ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers. Click here for the full tutorial. We used the fans to cover the wagon wheels, and decorate the wagon handle. Each fan represented the U.S.A with a cut out of the country in the center.

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All the picnic essentials were made of paper, of course. Follow this tutorial to make a DIY paper chip bag {we used 8×8 paper}. We sealed the chip bag with a cut out of the USA. The blueberries were propped up in a paper cone, and each child had their own brown paper bag with their name stamped at the bottom of it. Everyone was happy!

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A paper cut out of the U.S.A served as our sparklers sleeve, and the perfect decorative stakes around our picnic site. We covered match boxes with red, white and blue stars and stripes because you can’t light a sparkler without a flame, and a matchbox on July 4th isn’t a matchbox unless it’s red, white and blue.

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PLAN AN ACTIVITY

The most important part of our country’s Independence Day is to remember, honor and thank the men and women that serve our country. Their sacrifice is more than we can imagine, and our children may not know first-hand what it’s like to live in a military family, but they do need to understand that we always need to take the time to thank our military, no matter how big or small our thank you may be. With this free printable from Fleur de Lis, you can print these postcards, draw a photo on the back and mail them to someone in service. Or, they can be dropped off at a military establishment. Click here for the free printable.

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CELEBRATE WITH STARS & STRIPES

No 4th of July picnic is complete without our flag’s stars and stripes. We covered a Radio Flyer wagon with the American flag, then accessorized with paper.

We had the perfect setting under a large Willow tree, and our hanging stars made it all the more festive. The stars are easy to make. Learn how to make them here.

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We created DIY flags for the kids with a large USA on top and flowing strings of red and white paper stripes below. The kids loved to run around with their flag banners.

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May the stars and stripes forever fly, and may you have a wonderful, sparkling July 4th!

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You can find more inspiration and ideas to COLORIZE your life at COLORIZE.tumblr.com and the following social feeds.

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Thanks to Meredith Moran Photography for spending the evening with us and our crazy families to capture these photos.

DIY Flower Stakes

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It’s summer time. Thank the Lord. Bring on the sunshine, late summer nights, cocktails on the porch, birds chirping, sleeping in, pool time floats and sun-kissed skin.
Today we have a cheap and easy DIY you can do in less than 5 minutes for enhanced summer ambiance. These DIY Flower Stakes can line your front entry to greet guests with candles or flowers.  Or, they are a simple way to incorporate color and fresh blooms into a summer picnic without the need to find a spot on the blanket for a vase, or worry about spillage.
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Materials Needed:
Directions:
  • Slightly bend the plant prop so it is large/round enough to slide the mason jar in it, but snug enough to keep the mason jar in place.
  • Slide the mason jar through the opening and position along the rims of the mason jar.
  • Add blooms and a bit of water.

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its picnic time


June 18 is International Picnic Day. Save the date. Find a date. Or be your own date. And pack a snack.

1. Take the time to think about the space and ambiance…pick a pretty blanket, make it comfortable with pillows, find a beautiful spot, think about lighting with summer lanterns, candles or tiki torches, bring flowers in a basket, and pack an ipod player to really set the mood.

2. Use acrylic or melamine plates – there are bold and bright plates available now at Pottery Barn like these. Invest in Vino2Go’s for everyone, because they are fabulous and you will use all the time {you can buy at Fleur de Lis at 303.996.6885}. I am obsessed with this Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker from Terrain {$48} for other cocktails.

3. Don’t forget to pack a wine opener, utensils, knife, garbage bag for easy clean up, napkins and a knife. We love this idea of making Clip-On Picnic Utensils by Oh Happy Day – utensils attached to a paper bag.

4. Food should be easy to transport and eat – pack sandwiches, fruit salads, kabobs, salad, pasta salad, etc.
 Spring Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Artichokes, Food for My Family
Cheesecake in a Jar, I am Baker
my all-time favorite because it brings me back to my days in Italy Brie, Baguette, Grapes and Salami
Sliced watermelon

Our Picnic Necessities
LL Bean Horseshoe Set {$69}
Kate Space Picnic Blanket, Kate Spade
Picnic Basket Tote, Swoozies {$28.95}
Mason Jars for food, candles, flowers and drinks {found at Amazon}

{images via Everything Fab, We Heart It, RoveristaFood for My Family, I am Baker, Kate Spade, Oh Happy Day, Catch my Party, Swoozies and LL Bean}

styled shoot at st. george

Summer romance.
Bright colors.
Picnic setting.
Antique furniture.
Lemonade.
And, don’t forget Grandma’s pie.

How easy it is to fall in love with these photos!

What are some of your favorite features from this St. George styled shoot?

VENDOR LOVE

Photography:  Gideon Photography
Event Planner: 
 Middle Aisle Weddings
Floral Designer:  My Favorite Flowers
Invitation Designer:  Kortney Eggertz Design
Dress Store:  Lauren James Bridal 
Bakery:  Grandma Toblers
Event Venue:  Nisson Park