4th of July Mason Jar Luminaries

We got together today for another Group Craft Monday.  I was in charge of the craft, and it being the week before the 4th, I felt obliged to sport the red, white and blue.  I couldn't decide between this craft and this craft, so we did both and the kids couldn't have been more into it.  Although can I say, the finished crafts they display on Martha's and BHG's websites have to be the product of adult hands, right?  I mean, what kid believes in minimalism?  More is more right?  More glitter, more stickers, more paint, more, more more.  So these very neat, pretty, less-is-more finished crafts could not have possibly been made by kids.  That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

Anyhow, it was an awesome day, made even better by the fact that I got to do some crafting of my own.  I made these mason jar luminaries, tricked out for the 4th of July.  I gave a full tutorial back in October for Halloween that you can reference if you'd like to make your own.  They're super easy and cheap and they look so pretty lit up at night.  I think they look even better lit up on a summer night where it's dusk for so much longer.  Gives them a chance to actually glow. 

We're hosting the 4th at our house this year and these will line our walk way for our guests, and serve as some subtle lighting when we're lighting fireworks off at night.  No stumbling around in the dark when these babies are lit.  I realize that I'm posting a lot of pictures here of the same thing, but I just couldn't resist.  They just breathe summer to me and, I just don't think there's anything prettier than outdoor candlelight.

Plus, as I was climbing around on the ground to get these shots, I rolled over onto a slug on the sidewalk.  True story.  If I went through that to get these pictures, you best believe I'm showing as many pictures as I darn well please.  ;)  XOXO  Have a great day friends! 

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and Sweet Floweret's 20 Minute Tuesdays