Every year at about this time I have the same songs running through my head.
“America” by Neil Diamond
“Surfin USA” by The Beach Boys
and
“Living in America” by James Brown
If you are anywhere near me the week before the Fourth of July you will be sure to get my full rendition of each of them with the occasional dance moves thrown in to embarrass my family
for good measure.
So, it was no surprise that I was humming along to these songs while I added some super easy, super budget friendly and super festive
Fourth of July Decor to my front porch!
If only I could do the splits like James Brown. Or surf. Or sing.
But, I CAN be a big ol’ copycat, which is exactly what I knew I would be doing when I stumbled across the July 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping in one of my many piles of magazines.
I loved these ideas and wanted to see if I could try and recreate them.
This first idea from Good Housekeeping, is the epitome “No Sew” and took me all of about 5 minutes.
I dug up some old cushions which had been stored away.
Ummm…yeah…now that I look at them, I’m pretty sure they were the ones that came with that couch we got a long time ago and then subsequently gave away a few years later. Probably should have given them these too, huh?
Oops!
Oh well!
After gathering my materials (4 bandanas and some festive ribbon), I placed each cushion between the bandanas (I did the blue on the bottom and red on the top). Next I gathered up the corners and wrapped them with a rubber band. And then it was finished off with some fun coordinating ribbon.
It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Total cost for 2 pillows-$6 (for 4 bandanas and 1 spool of ribbon)
Next up was this “flower tower” as I like to call it.
I searched through my stash of pots and planters until I came up with 2 terra cotta pots that could easily be stacked. After filling them with potting soil, I took my red flowers and placed them all along the inside rim of the bottom pot. This left an opening in the middle for the other pot to be nestled in.
White flowers on top and the addition of 2 flags finished off this easy-peasy floral arrangement!
Total Cost: $5 for the plants!
This next inspiration photo I found to be just so lovely in its simplicity and really a fun twist on “Red, White and Blue”. Now, I didn’t have a darling little ticking stripe pouch.
But I did have this vintage inspired bucket/thingy that is flat on one side so it can be hung on the door.
That is the technical term I am told…”bucket/thingy which is flat on one side“.
I very happily clipped some roses from my rose bushes which are finally in full bloom.
Then, I placed them inside a Ziplock bag filled with water and then tucked
the entire thing inside my flag bucket.
Total cost for this project: FREE!
So, for a little over $10, I was able to add some “spark” to my Front Porch for the Fourth of July!
How are you getting ready to celebrate Independence Day?
Will James Brown be involved?
Thanks for joining us as we continue to decorate the Fence for the Fourth!
This post is Partying at the following places:
House of Hepworth: Hookin’ Up with HOH
Common Ground: Vintage Patriotic Party
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Stuff and Nonsense: Friday’s Unfolded
Common Ground: Vintage Patriotic Party
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Stuff and Nonsense: Friday’s Unfolded
So lovely ~ you look set to celebrate! Where can I find bandanas??
So I know we shouldn’t comment to each other on here but I don’t care! Seriously Vanessa I ADORE this! All of it! And the photos are fabulous!! (Okay so forgive me folks…I couldn’t help myself) 😉
Blogger ate my comment.
Bad blogger. Bad blogger.
Trying again but shorter. I love this and the bandana project is RIGHT up my alley. You might see me copying you. I also think the half bucket thingie is fabulous and like your arrangement even better than the hydrangeas.
Crossing my fingers and toes…
What great ideas! Yours looks spectacular!
Beautiful Patriotic arrangements all over the property…I particularly love The arrangement on the porch’s door…love it! I usually put my bow, that I have in my Patriotic post, right now…hope you visit. Happy 4th. of July. FABBY
I found your blog thru Sweet Bee Cottage….O LOVE your bandana cushions… Fun blog, thanks for sharing.
Great copy-catting!! LOL I like the small change-up with your bucket/thingy, too! If I don’t know the name of something or my aging brain forgets it, I call them “whatchmajiggers!” Love the re/white/blue theme. I have to run upstairs and get out my own decorations for my wreath. I’m slow this week- too much fun and partying at the wedding! hugs, Sue
I am so very lame this year, I have done NADA to get ready! Cute cute pillow!
Thanks for the great ideas. My head is spinning – in a good way!!!
I gotta do that bandanna thing!!
CUTE ideas!!!
Great ideas! Love to get “bang for my buck”!
These are great, Vanessa! So fun and festive and very inviting-looking. It looks as if you’re ready to play baseball, serve hot dogs and apple pie, and set off some fireworks! 🙂
Great ideas Vanessa! I love the flower tower!
Hi Vanessa, Such cute ideas! I especially love the bandana pillow. I guess I better get busy decoratng for the 4th.
xo,
Sherry
Really cute ideas, Vanessa! Isn’t someone hosting a copy cat series? These would all be perfect for that!!! Maybe DebbieDoo?
Love the pillows and the front door thing is very cool…and the planter idea is very sweet. Great job! xo Diana
Great ideas! Love the bandanas as pillow covers. Too cute!
Babs
Loving the flower tower and the pillow!! Great inspirations girl!
Hey Vanessa, I just wanted to drop by again to say thank you for joining my party.
xo,
Sherry
Very festive…love the idea of the flower tower!
What great ideas. Thanks for copying them, and sharing. I like the stacked pots. I just love red, white and blue… means summer to me!
MaryAnn
Excellent job of copying those. Love the bandana idea.
Great ideas each one! I love your flat metal thingy with the flowers. Beautiful!
How wonderful, great job. I haven’t seen the magazine but I bet your version is as good if not better then theirs. Your porch will be wonderful, have a great 4th. Kathy
How wonderful, great job. I haven’t seen the magazine but I bet your version is as good if not better then theirs. Your porch will be wonderful, have a great 4th. Kathy
You did so good girlfriend! I have a confession to tell you! Just a few weeks ago I figured out you changed your blog name! I’m soooooo sorry for being a little on the slow side!
Great ideas and good pricing too! Love the look of the door art and those pillows are such a great project for those who don’t sew.
love your bucket thingy! the flowers look so cute and great idea with the ziploc baggie. I will definitely steal that little useful tip! thanks missy 🙂
Gorgeous images!
Happy fourth!
Have a lovely weekend.
Found you through Kim at SSS!
xx
Alison
Love those bandana cushions!
Jeanine
Really enjoying your blog and linky parties! Your bandana pillows are super cute and festive! Love cheap and simple ideas!!
Lina
Fancy Frugal Life
Well this post the other day motivated me..so I did do more festive decorating around here. I love these copy cats. The bandana as I told you is my fav…I can’t get over how easy it is. Thanks for sharing, and YES, I will do this again.
Venessa, I love all of your items! The pillows are great! I love that simple and unique idea! And your roses are so pretty in that bucket thingy 🙂
OMYGOSH…I love those cushions..I have 4 outdoor ones that need something done to them and THIS IS IT, SISTER !!
My thanks…
This is such a fun party..so glad she is doing it again.
xo bj
The pillows are just genious! Your display is over the top fun to look at! Happy Fourth!
3 copycat challenges in 1.
They’re all great copys but the bandana cushions are my favourites.
So simple and yet so stylish, I have to find some bandanas!
Love all your great ideas for creating a big “bang” with your 4th decor. Such a cute idea with the bandanas!! Have a great weekend!
xoxo Debra
O’…I’m still trying to get my mine on the keyboard and can’t stop thinking about this copy cat,WOW! you sure are ready for the 4th, and every project turned out great, love this and I know you had ton’s of fun and gosh!..so inexpensive too, now that’s fantastic.Love it all!
Happy 4th to you and yours!
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly
So charming Vanessa! I love this project- it came out just fantastic- my favorite is your front door~ love it! Thanks for sharing this at FNF this week! 🙂
Excellent job. Those pillows are soooooo cute!
You’re extremely clever and you keep some cool stuff around the house….which means you were born clever! Beautiful copy cats!!
WOW! I mean you really made some cool items and your versions turned out great! I love the cushion and how easy it is. I think I love the stacked flower pots also. I came over from Debbiedoos and your copy cat was wonderful! hugs, Linda
Everything looks precious! Love those bandana pillows..happy 4th 🙂
Q~
LOVE THE PILLOWS & PORCH DECOR. SURE WISH WE COULD SIT ON THE PORCH WITH YOU!
MOM & DAD
What beautiful red, white, and blue decor for the 4th. I just love the pillows. I will have to remember this for next year decorating. It’s to late to make them for this year’s celebration, with all the cooking going on. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful 4th!!
Coming over from Common Ground’s link party to see your fantastic ideas you shared…xoxo, tracie
Eventhough I commented earlier in the wek, I’m back to say you did a great job in the Copycat challenge! After pulling my hair out, I came up with something, sort of.
Found you through a pin of your cushions on Pinterest this morning. Love the cushions, though I’d take the extra 5-10 minutes to make envelope back covers (my kids are too wiggly, the tied version would come apart in no time flat), the wall pocket floral arrangement is cute – better than a wreath, & the flower pots…I’ll have to replace my solar lights with flags – cute idea!
Thanks for sharing
♥hugs♥
Great site very informative I enjoyed it thank you…cheers Peter
These ideas are super!! My favorite is the tied bandanas!! Love the cushion!
xo Becca
Absolutely loved this! Great job…I’m always looking for “cheap and easy” ideas but look beautiful! Well done and a new fan here!