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Thursday, June 23, 2011

4th of July Tin Can Windsocks

A few weeks ago, I was browsing through an awesome post {at Under the Table and Dreaming} that included a ton of Flag Day/4th of July inspiration. The one project that really caught my eye was Stephanie Lynn's Tin Can Flag Windsock. It looked like such a fun project to try with the boys and I knew that I had almost everything I would need for the project already in my craft stash...lucky for me I've been hanging on to some old formula cans for more than a few years:) I headed to the store for some red and white ribbon and then gathered up all my other supplies {old formula cans, blue spray paint, some twine, and white contact paper stars cut out using my Silhouette} at home.
The first step for us was to take all the paper off the outside of the cans. I love letting the kiddos help along the way and pulling off the paper was fun for them and made them feel more involved.
Then we used some old rags and the water hose to clean out any of the old formula powder that was stuck to the inside of the can.
We gave each can a quick coat of blue spray paint and waited for them to dry.
After the paint was dry, we took our projects inside to add our stars and stripes. To keep the blue paint from getting on the table, I gave each kid a paper plate to place under their can. Then they got busy peeling the backs off their sticks and adding them to the cans however they wanted. I added my stars evenly around the can and Grant did a pretty good job of that too, but Eli's were kind of all on the same side and Henry made a three by three square of stars:)
While the boys were adding their stars, I cut the ribbon into strips about 15 inches long. I used a 30 foot roll of each color and that was just enough to cover our four cans.
Using my hot glue gun I added the strips of ribbon to the open end of the can alternating red and white. Unless you have a low temp glue gun or a kiddo who already knows how to use a glue gun, this should be a grown ups job:)
After all the ribbon was added, I used a screwdriver and a hammer to make two holes in the bottom of the can. Then I poked some twine through the holes and tied them on the inside. Stephanie used a different technique for her hanger so you might want to check out her way and decided which would work better for you.
After you  make sure you hanger is secure, they are ready to decorate your yard. This is what they look like hung on our front porch in celebration of the 4th of July....very patriotic I must say:)
Do you decorate your yard of the 4th of July?
Pin It!

52 comments:

Kmama said...

Those are seriously cute, and so easy!!

No, we don't decorate. However, we are usually out at the lake Jdaddy's parents live on and everyone decorates their boat!

christina said...

you really do come up with some of the NEATEST things!

Anonymous said...

I love this Kelli! I really should get some decorations up soon!

Jennifer said...

I love this cute project! Those formula cans worked perfect for this (wishing I had some too). Thanks for sharing this. I think my kids would love to make these!
Jennifer

Kelli said...

I love those!!!! You really inspire me to do more crafts with my kids. And I love your porch.

Unknown said...

TO DARN CUTE, LOVE THEM, AND THIS IDEA. They look so cute on the porch. Winks-jen

Angie said...

Those are so cute...I think I may make them too :) Your boys did a great job!

BTW, I love this new pop up window!! So much easier & faster. Although I'd comment anyway I could!

xoxo

Miller Racing Family said...

What a fabulous idea. I love how you always involve the boys in the fun. The windsocks look wonderful on your front porch.
Blessings!

Becky @ UCreate with Kids said...

Really cool. I LOVE IT!

Nicole said...

Now I wish I had some formula cans!! How cute I want my boys to do this! Great idea!

Haberdawoman said...

What a wonderful idea!!! Thanks for sharing :)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Those look amazing hanging from your front porch!! I think the boys did a great job--you are a good mama for letting them help out too. :)

Jaimee @ Havenwood House of Boys said...

Oh these are darling! Love them!! I'm going to share this on my crafty facebook page : )
Jaimee @ craft-interrupted.blogspot.com

Tracy said...

Love this idea, super cute! Being in England we don't celebrate 4th July but you've given me a great idea for using old formula tins - thanks! x

Joanna said...

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. We don't usually decorate, but easy ideas like this we could totally do, just to add a little touch of patriotism.

Dee said...

I don't decorate-but that sure is easy!!

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

This is so cute--my children would love making something like this!

~ Sarah

Brooke said...

How clever! I'm totally pinning this

Mary Moury said...

These are lovely! I like the slightly rustic simplicity. We usually just replace our flag on the fourth, mainly because my whole family goes to my aunt house to have dinner and watch fireworks, and she always decorates.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! and as for painting stripes they really couldn't be easier. I just used painters tape, and that was that! :)

Seven Sisters said...

these are just the cutest things ever! i'm on a "making crafts out of cans" craze...perfect!
♥Jaime...sevensisters

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

Those are so cute!! You always come up with the best projects!!

Andrea . Charcoal and Crayons said...

Oh my gosh! I HAVE to make these (except maybe a Canadian or even beachy version)! Thanks for the inspiration!

Christine @ sugarandtrash.com said...

These are so adorable and they look really good on your porch! I love how you had your kids painting, its great that you start them early ;-)

Ami Allison said...

OH MY GOSH!!! These are awesome! I have a TON of coffee cans too! Can't wait to try this! They look WONDERFUL on your porch! :)

Would LOVE for you to stop by and say hello! :)
http://alililly.blogspot.com

Juf said...

So cute and simple! I'm bookmarking these!

Bethany @ A Fish Who Likes Flowers said...

Ok, this is one of the cutest things I've ever seen!!! I'm bookmarking this post to try with my nieces. Thanks for the inspiration!

Fonda @Southern Scraps said...

I've never decorated my yard for the 4th of July but these are so cute I'm tempted to do so!

Kristin said...

These are so cute! Totally taking the idea and making summertime wind sock cans! Stopping by from {CSI}

@pril said...

This is a great project. The theme ideas are endless really. Thanks for sharing. I featured this on my blog: http://koolbeenz-blog.blogspot.com/2011/06/gallery-of-featured-crafters-5-with.html

Feel free to grab my Featured Button if you like.

@pril

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Well, you know I loved these but I had to come and thank you for joining my party! :) Wanted to let you know I featured you today too!

Holiday Snob said...

Love this! Just featured this on our blog if you want to check it out!

http://holidaysnobs.blogspot.com/2011/06/ahh-patriotic-on-pinterest.html

Karima said...

These look great, good idea!
New google follower via Skip to my lou link party, please pop by, karima x
www.karimascrafts.com

He & Me + 3 said...

Way to be GREEN and recycle. Love it. They are so cute.

That Crazy Ajumma said...

Very cute idea!
I would even make this!

Jill@Barnes Yard said...

I loved this idea so much that I just went out and dug a formula can out of my recycling dumpster!

Bella @ Bella before and after said...

Kelly, your kids are adorable, and those windsocks turned out incredibly cute. I love them so much, and can't wait to try some out myself. I just have to figure out where to hang them, lol.

I'd also LOVE to invite you to check out my weekly parties. I would be so happy if you linked up, this and any other fabulous project you are working on.
Stop by anytime to say hello!!!
Hugs, Bella :)
**AMAZE ME AUGUST** @ Bella Before and After Any projects, recipes, diy welcome.
**PARTY PLANNING TUESDAYS** @ Euro Style Cakes. Any party planning tips, decorations, invitations, recipes welcome.

Tanya said...

Hi there! I just loved this project. I featured it on my 4th of July edition of my Friday Favorites...come over and check it out. Happy 4th!

Lindy@Itsy Bitsy Paper said...

Hi! I just featured this project on my blog today. I hope you can stop by and take a peak. Grab a "Featured" button while you are there.
www.itsybitsypaperblog.com

Lindy@Itsy Bitsy Paper said...

What a great project!

I am having a Red, White and Blue Linky Party that I'd love for you to join in on by adding your link!
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/07/red-white-and-blue-linky-party.html

Hani said...

This is such a great idea.. I have included it as a feature in one of my posts i.e tin cans organizers.. come check it out and if you like you can grab the featured button..
Thanks and I appreciate it!
Love
Hani

www.craftionary.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

brilliant!!! thinking I may give this a go w/my childcare kids!!

Angell said...

I featured you today!

I have a button if you'd like :-)

http://passionateandcreativehomemaking.blogspot.com/2012/06/friday-finds-new.html

Lena said...

thanks for sharing this darling craft. i recently made these for my girls retreat with 23 girls ages 5-8. they all loved it. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
http://joyfilledfamily.blogspot.com/2012/06/god-bless-america-windsock.html

Unknown said...

great idea, just featured this in a fourth of july Pinterest post http://www.stayingclosetohome.com/2012/06/patriotic-favorites-mix-and-food-and.html

Connie Nelson said...

Love this wind sock! I will be sharing your idea tomorrow (Monday) on my blog with a link to you of course. Please stop by and check it out.

Anonymous said...

I made my own version and linked to you on my blog. They are adorable! Thanks for the idea!

Marigold said...

Great job Boys and Mom you did a good job too................LOL
Seriously they look fantastic. Happy 4th of July.

Carissa B said...

I love your project! Thanks for doing the great tutorial. I featured you today on Creative Green Living.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelli!

We loved your gorgeous patriotic wind sock craft and featured you at our blog, MPM School Supplies Blog!

Here's a link to the full feature:
http://blog.mpmschoolsupplies.com/5316/patriotic-flag-day-wind-sock-craft/

We were sure to give idea/photo credit, as well as a link back to your lovely website, but we'd love for you to check it out! If there are any problems we'll be sure to take the feature down immediately!

Hope you're having a great summer!
Kayla

Crystal- http://www.sewcreativeblog.com said...

This idea is fabulous, so creative and so much fun. I love it. I featured it in my blog post on 10 DIY Fourth of July Ideas Kids Can Help Craft. I'd love for you to take a peek if you have a minute:

http://www.sewcreativeblog.com/inspiration-diy-fourth-of-july-ideas-kids-can-help-craft/

Best wishes,

Crystal

Anonymous said...

By any chance do you remember what color blue you used? I want to do this project with my son this year :)

Unknown said...

Hi, I am so inspired by this idea! Great craft activity for kids as well. I have included this in my roundup of great 4th of July craft ideas here:

http://www.hipmamasplace.com/2013/06/12-fun-creative-and-easy-4th-of-july.html

Thank you so much for sharing this creative craft!

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