June 22, 2011

Seeing Red, White & Blue!

A few weeks ago, my blogging friend Vivian organized a patriotic ornament swap. We each made six. One to keep and five to send. This vintage bingo card is the ornament I made.

The rest of my ornaments arrived Monday.

Aren't they lovely?

Thank you ladies, your items are just a delightful addition to my patriotic tree! One of the best parts of participating in a crafty/art swap is making new online friends. If you would like to check out these creative artists and their lovely blogs, you can find them at:

http://buckscountyfolkart.blogspot.com/

http://lindaruthiesblog.blogspot.com/

http://prairiesedgefarm.blogspot.com/
Link
http://aprilmechellesdulllife.blogspot.com/

Vivian even created a few extra goodies for my girls. Just look at these beautiful faux cupcakes!!

They will be perfect for treehouse tea parties.

Vivian has a quick tutorial on her blog with tips for making these cupcakes here.

With all my new red, white & blue items, I quickly got to work transforming Josie's superhero tree into a patriotic tree. I made the star ornaments last year using vintage postcard images, crepe paper and a touch of glitter.

I found these birds last summer when we were on vacation at a local thrift store. Super gaudy, but I love them!!

Here are a few more red, white & blue decorations that I have on display on top of my dish hutch.
I love these American Bisque salt & pepper bears & jam jar.

I picked up these bottle brush trees while on last summer in Pentwater.

The paper lanterns are currently at the Dollar Tree.
I added the tassels and hung them from our chandelier.

Have I mentioned that I love to decorate for ALL holidays?
See I really do use that tree all year long!!

XOXO
♥
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32 comments:

  1. LeeJune 22, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    Very patriotic and cute! The swaps are terrific-makes me consider doing some...
    I've never dome a redwhiteandblue tree but perhaps this year-you are inspiring!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  2. JbooJune 22, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    So very cute! Love all the red/white/blue! Have fun!

    Janet

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  3. KJ@letsgoflyakiteJune 22, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Your 4th of July decorations are perfect. I love the ornament swap projects, you are both so talented.
    (And those ballerina cupcakes!!! sigh... off to check out the tutorial) Thanks for all of the interesting links, I always learn something new from you.

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  4. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasJune 22, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Hello!!

    You are a woman after my own heart! I have a tree in the house decorated all year round!!
    I am embarrassed to say that I could not get my act together to do my patriotic tree yet.
    It will be done for the 4th of July even though I usually have it finished for Memorial Day and it stays decorated all summer.. But with my Kitchen redo, planting my Cottage Garden and working full time, I just could not get to it.
    Loving all of your decorations for your tree.
    I do have a Summer Tea Cup and Rose tree in my Craft Room. I do 14 trees for Christmas!
    Pics are on my side bar if you are so inclined!!

    hugs,
    Debbie

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  5. CourtneyJune 22, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    I love your patriotic tree! Beautiful ornaments, I think the cupcake is my favorite.

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  6. Michelle @ Dream Home DIYJune 22, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    You make me want to leave a tree up all year too :0)

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  7. AngelaJune 22, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    One of my 'dreams' is to have a tree up all year round to decorate. It's not like I don't have one (or 6 actually,lol) to do it..One day!!

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  8. My Vintage MendingJune 22, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Kim this turned out darling...I think you need to go to work for a florist company that decorates designer trees! I could spend hours looking at these...cute cupcakes...smiles...Renee

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  9. KristinJune 22, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    Very lovely! Your tree turned out amazing! Stopping by from "Free Pretty Things".

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  10. HeatherJune 22, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    I have to say, so far, your patriotic tree is my favorite! Boy, you swapped with some very creative people. I love all the decorations, and your tree is just wonderful!

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  11. birdie blueJune 22, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    love the patriotic ornament and tree, kim. it's always so seasonally festive at your house.

    could those paper lanterns be any more perfect, too? and the cupcakes for the girls? ever so cute.

    xo
    ~molly

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  12. BucksCountyFolkArtJune 22, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    WOWWWWWW!!! I am SO JEALOUS of your tree!!! How gorgeous is that?! I don't have enough ornaments for a tree this year, it'll take me some time to save up.

    I've been asked to have you take a picture of your flower lampshade from another blogger and share with everyone!

    Jill

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  13. ~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~June 22, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    OMG I love your tree. Sweet cupcakes too.

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  14. Pam KesslerJune 22, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Not that I didn't love the Justin Bieber tree or the super hero tree, but I love this one. I really need to dig my decor out. And those cupcakes are awesome. I'll go on over and check out her blog and see how she makes those.

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  15. Magical Mystical TeacherJune 22, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    I've never seen a 4th of July Tree before! Amazing! Shimmering! Just lovely!

    WOMAN IN THE SCARLET COAT

    Woman in the scarlet coat,
    Are you heading for a boat?
    Or perhaps you need a bus
    To get far away from us.
    Whether wheels or sails you take
    Don’t forget the chocolate cake
    To sustain you on your way;
    Red-clad damsel, now we say,
    “Go with grace, enjoy the ride,
    See you on the other side!”

    © 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

    Red-Roofed Lighthouse

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  16. Lisa's Creative DesignsJune 22, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    LOve the vintage inpsired Red White and Blue ornaments. I LOVE working with vintage images and am so intrigues with what paper artists can do with them. Your Patriotic tree is just darling!

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  17. LVJune 22, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    I do believe you ARE READY FOR THE holiday. Nicely done.

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  18. ★Carol★June 22, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    I SO wish that I could have gotten in on that swap, but I'm a bad crafter! I love all of the ornaments that you received, and especially the one that you made. Your patriotic tree makes me happy!
    Happy REDnesday,
    Carol

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  19. Cheryl G.June 22, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    You are so talented!
    What a fun tree!
    Those ornaments you got are so sweet.

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  20. Ann@A Sentimental LifeJune 22, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    love the patriotic theme! I need to get my few out to make a quick vignette!

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  21. KarinJune 22, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    SO VERY CUTE!!!! Love all your patriotic ideas. I used to have a ficus tree that I decorated for every holiday. It's gone now as is all my energy for holiday decorating. But I am sure enjoying yours. :)

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  22. JanetJune 22, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    I really love all of your patriotic decorations and tree! What a cute idea! I'm just starting a collection of 4th of July decorations!
    Blessings,
    Janet

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  23. Sweet Bee CottageJune 22, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    Sweet! I love your patriotic tree and all your ornaments. You've given me a few ideas! Thanks!

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  24. LauraJune 22, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Your tree and the ornaments are lovely and those cupcakes look yummy! We hope to get back to some of our decorating projects very soon!

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  25. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Oooo ... I'm feeling very patriotic now! LOVE your decorations! You are always so full of ideas! : )

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  26. JodeeJune 23, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    Love your 4th of July decorations! I also love to decorate for the holidays!

    I am headed to the Dollar Tree tomorrow to buy stuff for our 4th of July bike parade. I must have some of those adorable lanterns too!

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  27. vivianJune 23, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    Hey Kim, I thought I had left a comment here yesterday, cause I was here.. but must not have! duh! I'm glad you enjoyed the swap. I love ornie swaps. and I'm really glad your girls liked the cupcakes and that they made it in one piece. I think we'll be having a good time for halloween dont you? of course, we dont want to rush it yet.. summer is just getting here!
    xoxo
    vivian

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  28. ColoradoladyJune 23, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Your tree is so cute!!!! I have never done a swap, I have always been afraid that they might not like what I sent!!!

    I am sure you are ready for a great 4th!!! I love all your decorations.

    Happy VTT!

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  29. A Few PenniesJune 23, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Swapping decorations sounds like fun; those are so sweet--love your patriotic tree!

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  30. very merry vintage styleJune 25, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    It's all so pretty Kim--thanks so much for linking up!
    Mary

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  31. mzzbevJune 30, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    I'm all about vintage stuff. Patriotism and vintage go well together ~ I'm loving this post. Please enter it at my Patriotic linky party I'm current hosting. I'm in the middle of creating a vintage retro blog and I'm really excited about it too and looking forward to more of your vintage posts. By the way, that Patriotic Tree is fantastic!

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  32. Michaele SommervilleJuly 3, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    I love checking back in and seeing your year 'round tree! Now I need to track down a Halloween ornament swap- usually I'm creating Christmas in July, but it's the orange spice, licorice black, silver and spooky purple that have me inspired this summer!

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Thank you for following our adventures. I always enjoy reading your comments. Happy crafting! Happy thrifting! PS. Ignore that "robot" verification. You can ignore/skip that step since I can't seem to remove it from blogger.