Bing, Bang, BOOM! Kitchen Sink Stamps-Project of the Month
The 4th of July is quickly approaching, and to help you celebrate I've got the Kitchen Sink Stamps Project-of-the-Month for you a little early! Create this whimsical firecracker centerpiece for your holiday picnic table and everyone will surely have a bang-up good time! And you can "Go Green" with this project at the same time, as the firecrackers are made from paper towel and toilet paper tubes, and a mailing tube!
Each firecracker has it's own unique design using stamps from Kitchen Sink Stamps. Look closely and you will see *NEW* sets Playful Stars, Swirly Hearts & Stars, and Plaid Plus! Also, the center tube in navy blue is stamped with the little starbursts from Backgrounds & Borders. I stamped all my cardstock to make my own designer papers, then wrapped each tube using red-line tape. I covered a small piece of particle board (thanks Hubby!) with navy blue cardstock and applied modge-podge over the surface. Each tube was attached using a hot glue gun. Then the fun really began!
I used heavy-duty acetate sheets and stamped the stars from Playful Stars on the acetate using my Essential Glue pad, then applied glitter! After each star was dry, I cut them out. I poked a small hole in the center of each star with my piercing tool, wrapped 26-guage floral wire around a pencil, attached the stars to one end, then attached them to the inside of the tubes (with duct tape... thanks again, hubby!) *click on the pictures for larger images*
I ran strips of cardstock through my paper crimper, and cut the cardstock in very thin slices with my cutting board. Some were stuck inside the tops of the firecrackers for added dimension, while some were crumpled up and placed around the base (to hide any stray traces of hot glue!)
I also created place card settings using a tube of Lifesavers as a firecracker! And yes, I know... most picnics don't require place settings but what a fun little treat for everyone to take home and remember a fun evening! This one (for you, Maria!) is just wrapped in some designer paper with a glittery star on the top and on the placecard. The placecard was made simply by folding my cardstock and running it through the Cuttlebug with the smallest scalloped rectangle Nestabilities. Another glittery star was attached with a navy blue brad. And I made wraps for the plasticware with crimped cardstock and another glitter star!
Here are some close-ups of the firecrackers so you can see all the different stamps used! I hope you'll give this project a try, and please let me know so I can see it! Stay tuned, because after the holiday I'll be back to show you another way to further recycle this design!
Stamps: Playful Stars, Swirly Hearts & Stars, Plaid Plus, Backgrounds & Borders (Kitchen Sink Stamps); Cardstock: red, navy, light blue (ColorMates), designer paper (craft supply); Inks: Brilliance Crimson, Versamagic Night Sky, Red Brick, Encore Silver (Tsukineko), Colorbox Frost White (Clearsnap); Accessories: Essential Glue Pad (Tsukineko), Dazzling Diamonds glitter, red and blue brads (Stampin' Up!), blue and red Stickles glitter (Ranger), 26-guage floral wire (craft supply).
Tammy this is FABULOUS!! What a great job you did - so festive and patriotic. I looks just great!!! :) I may have to give that a try!! :)
Posted by: Julie Masse | June 21, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Beautiful job, Tammy!
Posted by: Nicole | June 21, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Wow! This is incredible and so, so fun!
Posted by: Alyssa | June 21, 2008 at 11:40 AM
This is AWESOME, Tammy! You are a girl after my own "green" heart. :) Girly also loves to dig through the recycle bins and make things with tubes like that. She just made a play rocket ship out of a paper towel tube the other day. I'll have to show her this!
Posted by: Erika Martin - Stampin' Mama | June 21, 2008 at 12:02 PM
DUDE!!!! That is SOOOOO AWESOME!!!!
Posted by: Anita | June 21, 2008 at 12:14 PM
FAB -U - LOUS!!!!! I LOVE the project and I LOVE that you can make it from stuff we already have!! This is a rockin' project Tammy, so cool! I am going to try like heck to make one - my son comes home from college today (wahoo!) and haven't seen him in seven long months, so I am not sure how much I will get to play but I really love this project! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Posted by: Alexandra Hobson | June 21, 2008 at 03:16 PM
This project is absolutley fabulous! Love the whole sh-bang!!! :D
Posted by: Kimberly Gajewski | June 21, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Wow!! Totally fun!! The 4th is a huge holiday for a family and this is such a fab idea :)
Posted by: Tracy Durcan | June 21, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Oh you have outdone yourself Tammy! This is wonderful! Can I come to your house for the 4th???
LeAnne
Posted by: LeAnne | June 22, 2008 at 07:37 PM
WOW!!!! This is fantastic, Tammy! I just love decorating for the fourth! It's so festive! What a great project!
Posted by: Becky G | June 23, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Wow Tammy this is awesome!!! So what time do we eat??? I love what you did here. This is gonna be a huge hit!!
Dee
Posted by: Dee Jackson | June 23, 2008 at 10:59 PM
this is SUCH a wonderful project!!! i love it! :)
Posted by: laura | June 25, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Too cute, Tammy! What a great idea!
Posted by: Wendy | June 25, 2008 at 06:38 PM