During the hot Summer months in Buffalo, NY as a little girl (yes it gets hot in Buffalo!)I lived in a little white “tennis short jumper”. I didn’t have a lot of fancy clothes, so this was very special. It had red, white, and blue stripes on the edges and I just adored it. I also played tennis by myself against the garage for hours with it on. What a fun little redhead I was. Those days are gone, but I still have a little fun here and there, and part of that fun is decorating for the holidays. That includes the patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veteran’s Day. I want you to know though, that there is no need to spend a bunch of money on plastic decorations at the party store. You can even look right in your back yard, or in the woods 😯 . I hope you are inspired to try one of these “12 Affordable Patriotic Decorating Ideas”…
First up, my “American Flag Candle Log” is made with a big log from our back yard. I give a full tutorial on how to get those stripes painted and the holes drilled out for the candles. This would look so pretty on a picnic table, or even indoors on the kitchen island. Ohhh…even better, the mantel.
You won’t believe what this red cake stand below is made out of. I went to the thrift store for the supplies for this one. It was super easy to put together, and it looks like it came that way. I use this at all of our birthday parties, and I plan on bringing it out for our daughter’s graduation. Information on those long candles and tiny flags are in the post, too.
Red Cake Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds
This last patriotic idea of mine you may remember from a few years back. I still can’t believe the crib mattress spring I slept on as a baby in 1969 had exactly 13 rows for this beautiful homemade American Flag. I have our American flag hanging in our walk-out basement and I bring it out on the Fourth of July.
Crib Mattress Spring Turned American Flag
Wait, there’s more! Here’s the DIY Housewives with the remaining 9 “Affordable Patriotic Decorating Ideas”…
Tags: DIY Housewives, fourth of july, memorial day, patriotic, red white blue Posted by

Your patriotic log is one of my favorite projects Julie!
Aww! Thank you, Maryann!! It was a keepee for sure. I need to get it out of the crypt!
Great job, love to all, Dad in NY Thanks to everyone who served.
Here you go again, stunning us with your fabulous, amazing creativity. I love this project. Thank you Julie.
Hi Julie:
I love the log candle you made. Living in Canada I think I will make a log candle with our Maple Leaf on it, for our Dominion Day holiday on July 1st. If I get it done I will send you a photo.
Happy Spring to you.
Bette
That would be so beautiful, Bette!!