When I was a kid, I spent the Fourth of July dressed as Betsy Ross.
I would give my right arm and one of my molars if I could show you a picture.
Trust me.
It was wonderful.
We celebrated Fourth at the Cape, and I was in the parade pulling Sally Pitcher in a red wagon, dressed in a turn-of-the-century style gray gown with ruffles and a mob cap and attitude.
At the risk of stating the obvious….
…I’m pretty sure I was waving the flag.
And I spent a parade that anyone who would listen said I invented it
Perhaps he spent the summer at the Cape and celebrated the Fourth in the heart of where it all happened.
Maybe it was fireworks over the ocean and bicycle parades and streamers and wheelbarrow races and fifty-yard dashes.
Or maybe because (I may or may not have mentioned it before) it’s our country’s 250th birthday.
Whatever, however, why.
I love the Fourth of July.
So here’s a red, white and blue decorating idea for you from my mob-cab.
Today I’m sharing this simple wreath hack to transform a basic wreath for the Fourth of July.
// Boxwood wreath //
Let’s start with the basic wreath I had on my front door.
I love this necklace so much.
People always ask me if beads like this hold up, and this one does. I’ve had it for over three years, and it has lived its life outside and still looks ready for the runway.
I have other doors and other wreaths (some other patriotic ones that I like) but this is my go to.
The OG beads that I love.
// Red star ribbon// Blue star ribbon // White burlap ribbon //
Usually, I just add a wreath sash to wreath for summer and call it a day.
But this year?
I wanted a wreath that you could see from the street. I really wanted a wreath that you could see from outer space, but the street was enough.
So I found this amazing ribbon (They are so next level and bright and brilliant and patriotic). Each ribbon is 4″ (4″ ribbon is essential if you want your wreath to be seen from the street). And they are also wired.
you Red ribbon can be seen here.
you Here you can see the blue ribbon.
you The white ribbon can be seen here.
Please note: I thought this ribbon was a bit of a splurge, but I have enough left over to decorate my whole house. The rolls are 10 feet (and the white ribbon is 20 feet long). I’m thinking about adding pieces of it to the bunting and the wreaths on the back door.
The secret to this hack?
It is actually this ribbon.
He did most of the heavy lifting.
I cut the ribbon into 60″ pieces.
I have two pieces of advice when cutting this ribbon.
- Don’t think too much about it. The ribbon is wired so it’s easy to fluff if one part is longer than the other.
- Don’t think too much about it. Oh, wait. I have already said. No worries. It repeats completely.
And then?
You tied the pieces onto the ribbon.
Just a simple knot and tie all three together at the same time.
After I tied the knot (I found it easier to tie the knot with the wreath sitting on the table), I then hung it on the door.
and fluffled.
And fluffed and fluffed some more.
Then I added a bead sash to add another pattern and make the knot look pretty.
That’s it.
And now?
This is the view from the street if you are a neighbor and walk by.
You might not see them from outer space, but from the sidewalk out front? They look very patriotic.
Also- if you’re a neighbor, please know that the bunny topiaries are going away and I’m replacing them. With these star topiaries as they arrive.
Can you see my bunting hanger?
In the upper right corner, standing on the porch roof.
If I could say one thing to Betsy Ross a long time ago?
Marry the man who loves the Fourth of July as much as you do. 🙂
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