Citrus Straw Umbrellas | Free Printable

So last week I was on vacation in Mexico and even though I came back to really quite freezing cold windy days here in Utah, there are some green leaves sprouting and lots of trees blossoming! This leads me to believe that Spring is in fact coming which then means that summer will eventually come too and I just could not be happier about this.

Of course, I don’t need the trees to tell me it’s going to happen, I do know it’s pretty inevitable, but you know seeing those little indications of life really do make the whole thing seem sooner and THANK GOODNESS! I never loved winter growing up, I’ve tried to reconcile myself to it in the last several years, but this year, for some unknown reason, my hate for it really came back with a vengeance. Look, I know it’s important, and beautiful, and after all, I am choosing to live here where it faithfully makes an appearance for at least five months every single year. But, that doesn’t mean it’s not painful every time I have to get into a below-freezing car, or slip on the ice, or look at my pale white skin and red nose in the mirror.

So, we’ve decided that whether or not the weather catches up any time super soon, AJR is done with winter and winter crafts and all things snow or cold-related (unless its a refreshing treat or drink) and we are diving head first into summery, bright, happy, colorful, warm crafts! I think we can all agree this is ok, right?

And to kick it off on a really bright and colorful, summery note, we made lemon, lime and orange fruit slice straw umbrellas that are free to you and a cinch to whip up! We’re big fans of paper straws, and adorning them with umbrellas (see these watermelon umbrellas and our donut umbrellas) and so this just seemed like the most natural thing to do, given the circumstances. Click through for the free download and instructions!

Materials
• Free printable limes, lemons and oranges (see below) //
• Assorted paper straws //
• Scissors //
• Tape //
• Glue stick //
• Hole punch

1. Print out whichever and however many umbrellas you want by following the download button above.
2. Cut around each fruit slice.
3. Cut out the triangle from each slice, meeting in the middle of the slice.
4. Use a hole punch right in the middle. I actually found that I needed these holes just slightly bigger for my straws, so I used my scissors to go around it a little more.
5. Wrap your slice around a straw and meet the two ends together, overlapping slightly
6. Use a piece of tape to adhere it underneath and also to attach it to the straw so it doesn’t slide around.
7. Apply glue to the under side of the top flap and press it down.
8. (alternatively, do steps 6 & 7 in reverse, it might be easier for you)

I already have a plan to use all these straws I whipped up for Stella’s second birthday party so stay tuned to see how I’m going to twist them up a little and use there! Don’t worry, we’re not doing a massive, all-out bash with tons of tables and games like her first birthday party was, just a little family get together. But don’t you know it’s still gotta be themed and cute ;)

Oh paper straws, I just cannot resist you! If I see a color or pattern I don’t have (for a decent price of course) I feel like I MUST purchase them! The one stop section at Target is my best friend/worst enemy because really I do not need any more paper straws but also I love them and finding a new style is just so much fun. I need less things to be addicted to in my shopping life… but as long as I have thousands of paper straws, I might as well make them even cuter with fun little DIY umbrellas!

Do you have any events coming up this summer that these umbrellas might be perfect for? Or a child who just loves fruit and would be delighted to see these on the table?