Hi Everyone!!! I am Stacie…the crazy woman behind The Creative Crate, and I can’t believe it…but Kari has asked me to be her guest blogger for today!

I just LoVe sharing ideas, and meeting all of the awesome crafters out there who share the same passion as me! Speaking of ideas…. here is another one that I recently made! Check It Out!!

Start off with any old window you might have…

I printed a star on some card stock from my computer…and cut it out with an x-acto knife…

then cut out your stencil…

start stenciling on your stars first on the wrong side and the wrong corner of your window…so that when you flip your window over…the stars will be on the right side…
I just used regular ol’ craft paint. Be sure not to use too much on your brush…or your stars will bleed under the paper and look messy. Don’t worry…you don’t have to be perfect…that’s what I love about it!
Wait for the stars to completely dry…then LIGHTLY (with ton of paint loaded on your brush) wipe your blue background over top of the stars. Don’t go over the same spot when the blue paint is wet…because it will wipe your stars away…believe me…it happened to me. oops! You can do more coats of blue after the first layer is completely dry!

Then…paint on your stripes!!!………..

I did about 2 coats of paint on each of the colors…….

Then when it is dry…I just sprayed mine with a clear spray paint to seal the paint. I don’t think it will completely keep it “scratch proof” but it will help!

And there you have it! Very easy…and Very CuTe!! HaVe FuN!!

Check out these other fun Independence Day crafts and recipes!

The post Painted Flag Window Tutorial appeared first on U Create.

I’ve included two different versions … one with the quilted design and another one with the added words “Land that I Love”.

Land That I Love Coloring Page

Quilted USA Coloring Page

Another fun idea…

I have a fun goal to visit all 50 states before I turn 50.

Do you love to travel and want to keep track of all the US states you’ve been to?

Color them in as you visit each state!

POST BY: Kari Sweeten

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BBQ TIP: My favorite party tip for a casual environment is to include the napkin, utensils and straw into a simple pint-sized mason jar that is used as their glass!

You’ll need the following for each guest:

• pint-sized mason jar
• decorative straw
• festive napkin
• fork, spoon, knife

Change up the napkins for any occassion, put a little surprise inside, add a tag with their name, or anything your heart desires! In case you are wondering where I purchased any of the supplies on this post, I found it all at my local Walmart.

SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS: Next? Have a little something for the kids to do. I created these printables to go along with two of the most popular kid-wanted items on the 4th of July – sparklers and glow sticks! My kids are so excited to light these up this weekend!

You’ll need the following for each child:

• 3-4 sparklers
• 2-3 glow sticks
• printables

Simply snip a slits and slide sparkler or glow sticks in place!

Find the FREE 4TH OF JULY PRINTABLES HERE.

SIMPLE, DELICIOUS FOOD: I went to my local Walmart and bought some King’s Hawaiian® rolls to make my Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with lemon cream cheese icing. While I was there, I saw that they made King’s Hawaiian® hotdog and hamburger buns, too. I really liked how the hotdog buns had a slit on the top instead of the side – a fun twist from the ordinary hot dog bun!

GRILL TIP: Do you see how I grilled the hotdogs in a spiral pictured above? All you do is put the hot dog on a skewer or kabob stick, slice the hotdog in a spiral, take off the skewer, and grill. Your BBQ guests will love this!

SOMETHING SWEET: Provide a sweet treat your guests will LOVE! No joke, this delicious recipe will only take you 15 minutes to make! Get ready to give out the recipe…cause they will ask!

Easy Strawberry Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing

 

Print

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

25 mins

 

Author: Kari Sweeten

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 12

Ingredients

• Pkg of King's Hawaiian® Original Sweet Rolls (12 count)
• 21 oz. Premium Strawberry Pie Filling (Duncan Hines)
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 4 oz. cream cheese (softened)
• 3 tablespoons butter (softened)
• ¼ cup half and half
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 teaspoons lemon juice

Instructions

1. Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl combine strawberry filling, cinnamon, and sugar.
3. Cut Hawaiian rolls in half and spread filling inside. Spread the rest of the filling on top of the rolls.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
5. ICING: Mix the cream cheese, butter, half and half, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice.
6. Spread generously on top and sides of the rolls while warm.

3.3.3077

Warning: you’ll want to make lots of these because they will disappear quickly!!

COUPON: Save $1 on TWO (2) KING’S HAWAIIAN® Hamburger, Deluxe Hamburger, Hot Dog Buns, Mini Sub Rolls, or 12pk Dinner Rolls for their 4th of July BBQ  (coupon here)

POST BY: Kari Sweeten

This post was sponsored by KING’S HAWAIIAN® and I was compensated to write it. Regardless, what I have written is my own opinion and experience, and I hope you find it of use.

The post DIY 4th of July BBQ ideas appeared first on U Create.

New free coloring page: “Quilted Flag” is filled with fun designs with a patriotic theme! My 10 year old daughter is coloring this and wants to frame it for our living room!

This version is fun for all ages and is even simple enough for a summer kids craft!

Grab your favorite pencils or pens, print out on white cardstock, and color away!

FREE DOWNLOAD: QUILTED FLAG

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So while you are enjoying the holiday with your little ones, here is a round up of some incredibly fun and creative crafts to do for the 4th of July!

4th of July Handprint Tees by This Grandma is Fun

How to Make 4th of July Slime by Little Bins for Little Hands

4th of July Driveway Stars by Mom Inspired Life

Firecracker Slingshot Tutorial by Lolly Jane

Popsicle Stick Flags with Ginger at GingerSnap Crafts

Tin Can Luminaries by Karen at Crafts for all Seasons

Pickle Jar Luminaries by Michelle at Create Something Beautiful

Parade Bike Handle Streamers by Alpha Mom

Paper Lantern Craft by Jamie at The Crafting Chicks

Confetti Popper Rockets by Brenda from Alpha Mom

Patriotic Paper Flowers with Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe

The post 4th of July Crafts for Kids appeared first on U Create.

Glow-in-the-dark sticks are fun for all ages! They’re fun at the fireworks, nighttime events, Halloween, etc. However, I’m sharing different ways you can create classic games with glow sticks!

Have a game night with some friends.
Throw a glow-in-the dark party for the end of school, birthday party, sleepovers or “just for fun” get-together. These games are especially great for teens who seem “too cool” for those younger parties and you’ll find they are fun for all ages!

Let’s start with bowling… READ FULL POST HERE

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We are always looking for fun fonts to use for our printables, vinyl designs, and other crafts.  Here are some of our favorite patriotic fonts for July.  Enjoy! 

Banner Star  
Ice Cream Sandwich
Independence
Janda Sparkle and Shine
Missing Man Out
Starz
Stars and Stripes
American Typewriter

POST BY…

The post Free Patriotic Fonts for July appeared first on U Create.

I was walking past a huge variety of bandannas at the craft store last week and had this idea to make some circle skirts for my girls.  Because we are planning to attend a few 4th of July celebrations next month, I grabbed some red and blue bandannas make some seriously patriotic skirts.  I like sewing with bandannas because they are so inexpensive.  And for summer clothes they are ideal because they are so light-weight.

The Bandanna Skirt Tutorial is so simple and quick!  It only takes about 10 minutes from start to finish…

Supply List:

-3 Bandannas from your local craft store

-1.5 inch wide Super soft elastic

-sewing machine and matching thread.

I have used the wide white elastic that you find in ANY sewing aisle of any super store and my girls hate it.  It is well worth the trip to the fabric store to buy this very soft 1.5” wide elastic because it saves me the whining I hear if I use the other stuff.

Step #1: Iron the pesky wrinkles out of the bandannas.  Lay all three of them on top of each other and fold in half.

Step #2: Fold in half again.  Now you have a square.

Step #3:  Measure 3 inches in from the point…or more for a shorter more gathered skirt. Cut the middle point off the square using a round cut…not a straight across cut.

{You can even lay out all three bandannas on top of each other and put your elastic circle from step five in the middle and draw a chalk outline on the OUTSIDE of the elastic. Then cut on the line.}

Step #4: Open the bandannas and you have a near-perfect circle.

Step #5:  Measure your little one with the elastic and cut the appropriate size.  Overlap the elastic about 1/2 inch and zigzag stitch the end down.  Flip over and zigzag stitch the other loose end down. 

Step #6: Stagger the bandannas so they are not laying perfectly on top of each other.  Make sure you can see all 12 points.  Line up the circle in the middle.

Step #7: Pin the circle.  I put four pins across from each other.  This makes it easier to attach the elastic evenly; allowing you to spread the pleats out a bit so they are not all on one side of the skirt.

Step #8:  Pin the stitch part of the elastic to one side.

Step #9:  Pin the opposite side of the elastic to the fabric across from the first pin you used.

Step #10:  Pin the sides of the elastic to the skirt with your remaining pins.  Try to make sure the pins are equal distances apart {without making yourself crazy, it doesn’t have to be exact}.

Step #11:  Now you are going to work between two pin at a time.  For example the back pin and the left-side pin are pictured above.  I am only going to work with the fabric between those pins right now.

Step #12:  Gather the fabric between the back and left-side pin and pin it into place. Make sure to spread it out equally between the 2 pins.  Next work with the fabric between the front and left-side pin and pin it in place.  Do this all the way around the elastic.

Step #13: Secure the fabric to the elastic using a zigzag stitch at the bottom of the elastic. 

Step #14: Take out all the pins and you have a super cute and seriously simple circle skirt.  It’s already hemmed and ready to wear!

I definitely plan on heading back to the store for MANY more bandannas.  They come in all colors and designs! Grab whatever design you want and start creating.

The post Bandanna Summer Skirt Tutorial appeared first on U Create.

I am all about accessories and luckily my little princess is, too; so with some inspiration from these hats, I made some DIY Patriotic Headbands adorned with bright and glittery embellishments.

Supply List:

• White Glitter Paper
• Blue Glitter Tape
• Star Embellishment
• Adhesive
• Silver curly ribbon
• Headband
• Stapler
• Craft Knife

Step #1: Create a cylinder using a 3” x 8” strip of the corrugated glitter white cardstock. Staple into place.Step #2: In order for the cylinder to hold its shape I cut the bottom of a plastic cup and slid it down inside.  This also made it simple to glue the top onto the hat.

Step #3:  Cut a 3” circle to create to base of the hat.  Cut 4 slits in the base; put the slits where the cylinder will sit on the base to create the hat.

Step #4 & #5:  Using the adhesive, tape two strips of cardstock on the bottom of the base and slide through two slits opposite each other.  Apply tape on the outside of the strips that are now on the top of the base.  You will glue these strips to the inside of the cylinder to create the hat.

Step #6:  Cut a 2.5” circle to create the top of the hat.  Tape it on the plastic cup.

Step #7:  Cut an 8” strip of blue glitter tape and adhere it around the hat.

Step #8:  Attached a red Pebbles Star Embellishment

Step #9:  Attach the Silver Curly Bow to the top of the hat for an extra festive look.

Step #10:  Thread the headband through the two empty slits at the bottom of the base.
Now my little one has a darling patriotic firecracker accessory for the 4th of July.  What a fun little craft!

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