July 4th | A Joyful Riot

July 4th Utensil/Gift Bag Patterns | Free Printable

July 2, 2015 ·

I can hardly wait for the Fourth of July weekend!! Which for some of you probably kicked off already! I know that my office is quite sparse this week (and especially today). But I am definitely fine with the low-key environment right now. It makes for a nice change of pace!

Before you all head out to celebrate, grab these free festive patterns below. I am calling them utensil holders but you could use these for anything! They are simply in the shape of a rectangle so just print them out on sticker paper, attach to your bag (these small ones are perfect for holding utensils or you can use larger ones for gift bags). Then, trim around the bag or item you want to cover!

Firework Cupcake Toppers

July 1, 2015 ·

There is almost nothing better than fireworks on a summer night, which is why I think so many people just adore the Fourth of July. But the fireworks don’t need to just be in the sky, they can be all over your party decor, including in your cupcakes!

And these are so quick and of course use probably out all time favorite craft supply – paper straws! Read more for the how to!Continue Reading

DIY S’mores Kits

June 19, 2015 ·

Summertime means s’mores time! Actually, it means a whole lot more than that with swimming, camping, outdoor movies, popsicles, snow cones, hiking, kayaking, and more! But isn’t there just something so amazing about having a little bonfire and making s’mores with your family? It is my favorite.

I definitely think that a glam camping party is in my future and I thought that these little kits would be perfect! Just use berry baskets and fill them with your typical s’mores supplies. If you want to get creative, fill them with atypical supplies like reese’s, cookies, or even donuts (have you seen this?!). And, even though this is not necessarily a Father’s Day gift, if your dad loves s’mores and camping I am sure he would love these! Or your Father’s Day party could be camping theme and then these would be perfect.

4th of July Pop Rock Sticks

July 4, 2014 ·

Happy 4th!! We hope you’re up to tons of fun today but if you need a simple, last minute craft or favor, these happy little holiday sticks are filled with poppin’ goodness!

Pop rocks to be exact!

This simple little craft can be whipped up in no time and is perfect for little helping hands!

Simply get some pop rocks and some paper straws, roll one end of a straw up a little, pour the rocks in and roll up the other end!

There are endless ways to decorate them other than just rolling them up too! Two things i did was top them off with a marshmallow {mine were even blue and blue raspberry flavored!}

And I attached little paper flags to others.

You can download the flags here. Cut them out, leaving a little bit of white paper to the left of the flag and glue that to your paper straw.

Cute little goodies to make your celebrations POP!

Thanks for joining us here on A Joyful Riot for this holiday! We’ll be spending it eating plenty of food and watching tons of fireworks with friends and family! What will you be up to on this summer holiday?

Party Men Fireworks

July 3, 2014 ·

These army men wanted to join in the Independence Day celebrations this year! They came ready in party hats and with balloons! {balloons that explode colored smoke I might add!}

Yup, these guys are a super simple little craft that combines one of the safest fireworks you can get with plastic army men in a really celebratory way.

Plastic Army Men //
Smoke Balls //
Patterned Paper (or these prints) //
Tissue Paper //
Glue Gun or Super Glue

First, attach your smoke balls by putting just a dab of hot glue on the army man’s head and pressing the smoke ball to it.

Because these balloons are so large compared to the men, they reminded me of Geronimo balloons and you certainly can’t have Geronimo balloons without tissue paper tassels, right?!

So let’s make some itty bitty ones!

Cut a rectangle of tissue paper about 1″ x 3″. Fold this in half three times hamburger style and then once the other direction. Cut a tiny fringe, unfold once, roll it up and then fold it back in half and twist it together. Use a dab of glue if yours are too tiny to twist tightly.

Now use hot glue or super glue to attach this tassel to your smoke ball.

Make tiny little party hats if you’d like. The following template is the right size:

Trace that onto patterned or colored paper (here’s the patterns I used), cut them out, roll and glue them into cones and attach tiny pieces of tissue paper to the tips. Then glue the hats to your army men!