Last-minute 4th of July crafts

Here's a quick and easy craft project to spruce up your 4th of July buffet or picnic basket: all you need to do is to download and print out the template I put together, then a little bit of cutting, folding, and glueing, and then you're off to enjoy the day!

The template includes bunting in two sizes for the banner, and a variety of stars-and-stripes inspired labels that you can use to mark wrapped food items and decorate utensils such as straws and picks. You can also use the labels as napkin rings and write your guests' names on them to use as place cards.

You will need:

• Printed template (ideally printed on a laser printer, to make the art moisture-resistant, but in a pinch your inkjet will do just fine)
• Ruler
• Craft knife (e.g. X-acto)
• Xyron sticker machine or double-sided tape
• Pens, scissors, yarn

For the labels, cut out the template by lining up a ruler on the crop marks on opposite sides of the page. Cut along the ruler with a craft knife.

Back the cut out labels with adhesive — this is especially easy with a Xyron sticker machine, but double-sided tape works just as well. 

Write on your labels with colored pens and adhere them to your food items, or affix the smaller flags to straws and toothpicks, then trim the ends to the desired length and shape.

For the banner, print out the template (make as many copies as you need to get the desired length), then cut out along the dashed lines with a ruler and craft knife.

Fold the diamond shapes in half and adhere them to your yarn with double-sided tape (put some tape along the fold, and a little bit towards the point; fold over and press). Alternate sizes and patterns for a fun look.

That's it! Let me know if you come up with other fun uses for the template, and have a wonderful 4th of July!