(the only photo I took of the salad was this one I posted on Snap Chat - follow me at: pnpflowers)

The 4th of July may be behind us but if you are looking for a great new salad to bring to your next potluck, Summer BBQ or workplace luncheon...you just might want to try this one!!

This BLT Salad is something I fixed for my family on 4th of July as part of our family reunion this year. And the platter was empty. *wink*

Besides, you really can't go wrong with homemade croutons, bacon, tomatoes and lettuce topped with a creamy buttermilk/parmesan dressing.

Looking for something paleo-friendly, dairy-free and gluten-free?
I created a Whole30-friendly version for myself as well.
Instructions are shown beneath the original recipe below. *wink*

So let's get right to the recipe(s), shall we?

BLT SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK PARMESAN DRESSING + BUTTERY CROUTONS
(From Southern Living Magazine - June 2016 - pg. 151)

Serves 6 - I doubled the recipe for our family reunion

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups cubed white bread
3 TBSP butter, melted
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 TBSP. minced shallot
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup buttermilk - I used 1/2 cup milk plus 1 TBSP. white vinegar mixed together
3/4 mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. sugar
12 oz. romaine lettuce hearts, chopped
1 1/2 lbs. assorted fresh tomatoes, sliced - I used small vine ripe tomatoes
6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
Flat-leaf parsley and torn basil leaves to garnish - I totally skipped this!

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375º

2. Prepare Croutons: Toss together bread, melted butter, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Place on a baking sheet and bake 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

Tip: I baked mine until I felt they were nice and crispy - I think I ended up doubling the bake time.
Also, I baked mine the night before and then put them in a Ziploc® bag overnight. The next morning they felt a little soft so I put them back in the oven at 400º for about 5 minutes to crisp them up again. Then I decided to leave the Ziploc® bag unzipped to keep them from softening again.

3. Prepare Dressing: Combine shallot and vinegar in a medium mixing bowl and let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk in buttermilk and next 5 ingredients.

4. Make Salad: Arrange romaine lettuce hearts onto a serving platter. Top with sliced tomatoes and chopped bacon, and drizzle with 3 TBSP of dressing. Add croutons, parsley and basil. Serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side.

••••••••••••••• WHOLE30 - FRIENDLY VERSION BELOW ••••••••••••••• 

BLT SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK PARMESAN DRESSING
(Adapted from Southern Living Magazine - June 2016 - pg. 151)

Ingredients
1 TBSP. minced shallot
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup buttermilk - I used 1/2 cup unsweetened whole30-approved coconut milk plus 1 TBSP. fresh lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise - I made THIS mayo
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. apple juice
12 oz. romaine lettuce hearts, chopped
1 1/2 lbs. assorted fresh tomatoes, sliced - I used small vine ripe tomatoes
6 slices cooked bacon, chopped - whole30-approved brands
Flat-leaf parsley and torn basil leaves to garnish - I totally skipped this!

Directions
1. Prepare Dressing: Combine shallot and vinegar in a medium mixing bowl and let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk in buttermilk and next 5 ingredients.

2. Make Salad: Arrange romaine lettuce hearts onto a serving platter. Top with sliced tomatoes and chopped bacon, and drizzle with 3 TBSP of dressing. Add parsley and basil. Serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I always love finding new recipes to try for large gatherings and I was really happy with the way this salad turned out. As was everyone else.

I hope you'll try it my friends!!

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I was up until midnight on the 3rd, making this salad and two different desserts.
But it was all worth it.
I hope you all had a fantastic 4th of July weekend!!
I spent mine celebrating with my entire family at our Family Reunion at the Encore Club at Reunion Resort, here in Orlando. It was so awesome to see everyone and soak in the sun for a few days together. I'll be posting a few pics soon!

IN THE SHOPPE | Patriotic Posters

So here's what I did with that other hand-lettered art I shared with you the other day.
I turned it into a 24x36 chalkboard poster…and I…

SHARE | Fun Ideas for 4th of July

Hello sweet friends. I sure hope you've been enjoying your Monday.

Mine sort of got away from me - hence the "late-in-the-day" blog post.

I hope you saw the FREE "As American As Apple Pie & Ice Cream" Art Print I sort of sneaked in on Sunday. (shown above). It was all part of the bigger plan I'm sharing with you today!

I've teamed up with 4 of my very favorite blogging friends to completely inspire you for all of those 4th of July celebrations we have coming up!  It's less than two weeks away now you know! 

Check out these adorable ideas which include

FREE | 4th of July FREE Chalkboard Art Print

Well hello friends - here's that little something I promised to share with you from Friday's post.
Remember the hand-lettered artwork I posted?
Well here is PART of the the surprise I've been working on...

"As American as Apple Pie and Ice Cream"  5x7 Art Print

Download your FREE favorite version right here:
As American as Apple Pie and Ice Cream 5x7 Art Print - WHITE background 
As American as Apple Pie and Ice Cream 5x7 Art Print - CHALKBOARD background 

You get two 5x7's on one 8.5 x 11 Sheet so you can print one for yourself and share one with your friend. OR keep one at home and take the other one to the office! *wink*

Hope you love it!
Stay tuned for more hand-lettered artwork as well as more 4th of July fun!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
We are celebrating over here!!
Sweet Ella Pie no longer has dermabond attached to her forehead!
See the details RIGHT HERE on my Instagram Feed! Yay!!

CUTE IDEA | Cupcake Liners = Clever Dessert Packaging

Want a REALLY cute idea for wrapping up treats for celebrations, picnics, or food gifts?

I'm just loving how easy it is to take a cupcake liner (or cupcake wrapper - whatever you want to call it) and add a little bit of creative fun to any dessert presentation.

The liners provide an easy way to add a quick splash of color AND they make it convenient to "grab and go" - so they are perfect for dessert tables, bake sales and

SUGAR | Supermom Dessert :: Easy Whoopie Pies

Do you have a favorite dessert you enjoy making that makes you feel like a "Supermom"?
You know…the desserts your kids rave over and beg you to make over and over again.
Desserts that teachers are still requesting you bring them…YEARS after you first shared them with the staff?

I LOVE desserts like that.
I have a handful of them and these Homemade Oreos, Polar Pies, Whoopie Pies (whatever you want to call them)…are

FREE | Monthly Printables Blog Hop :: Patriotic Printables

Who's ready for the Memorial Day weekend we've got coming up? I know I am. And I'm planning on taking full advantage of the time I will have with my family. It seems like the last few months of my life have been out-of-control-busy. I am trying to reel it all in and simplify but it seems the more I try to simplify the more things/tasks/deadlines/commitments seem to multiply. I think things are exceptionally busy for me with a daughter who's getting ready to graduate from High School this year. (Graduation, 18th birthday + present, college preparations, Graduation Party, Graduation Present, Graduation Photos, Graduation Announcements, Baccalaureate, Senior Prom, Grad Bash, Yearbook, and on and on and on…

Plus…I've got little Ella who will be graduating from Pre School - and since I've done NO volunteering in her class this year…aside from chaperoning a couple of field trips and handing out food & drinks at one party...I took on the task of organizing the graduation party for her class coming up on May 22nd.

Meanwhile, Ema is still waiting on me to take her to her birthday lunch from March. 

So I'm looking for something simple…simple and cute for celebrating ANY of the Red, White & Blue holidays throughout the year!  These might be just the thing you are looking for too!!

FREE Patriotic Dessert and Straw Flags

These were supposed to be part of the MONTHLY Blog Hop I've been participating in this year but I missed the deadline to get it posted with everyone else's things!! Yep! I'm that girl! See…too many irons in the fire. *blushing*

Anyway, you can use these on cute party straws, toothpicks for food items and desserts, lollipop sticks, The Pastry Pedestals and Pretty Party Skewers too!

Even though I missed the group deadline for participating in the Blog Hop...no worries for YOU!
You can still download them for FREE 

AND…you still have access to all of these other fun (and FREE) Red, White & Blue printables from these talented bloggers by still participating in the actual BLOG HOP I missed out on this month!! Just click on the links below to snag your FREE goodies!!

Top to Bottom - Left to Right
Hostess with the Mostess – printable party popcorn labels
30 Days – 4th of July printables for kids
Catch My Party – Patriotic BBQ sign
Skip To My Lou – printable flag pinwheels
NoBiggie – United States Flag print
Nest of Posies – pinwheel cupcake toppers
Kori Clark – Summertime BBQ invitation
Living Locurto – free printable patriotic wall art

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I still have not photographed my own daughter for her graduation announcements but I'm happy to say I was at least able to photograph one of my beautiful cousins for her graduation announcements. (on Mother's Day as a matter of fact). If she gives me permission I'll post some of the pretty photos here on the blog! *wink*

HOLIDAYS | 4th of July Watermelon Centerpiece

Happy Birthday America!!

I hope you enjoy your 4th of July barbecues and celebrations!

I used the NEW Pretty Party Skewers to create the festive fruit kabob centerpiece

for our Neighborhood Bike Parade this past Saturday.

I absolutely love that the party skewers are recyclable!!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

CELEBRATIONS | Annual Neighborhood Patriotic Parade

I love celebrations with a small town/nostalgic feel...
which is why I absolutely love our...

Annual Neighborhood Patriotic (Bike) Parade

 (click the "READ MORE" button below)

RECiPE RADAR | Watermelon Salad

It's July 1st...
We are smack dab in the middle of Summer...
4th of July is fast approaching this week...
and I've got watermelon on my brain - like the rest of us, I'm certain.

Although it's a fabulous treat all on it's own...
I'm looking forward to creating one of these delicious looking Watermelon Salads this week...

Summer Watermelon Salad - by Fab Fit Mommy

There are 8 more recipes to see...(click the "Keep Reading" button below)

RECiPE RADAR | Berries and Whipped Coconut Cream

To celebrate Day 22 of the Whole30 challenge I've been participating in...
I thought I'd share a recipe from the newest cookbook I 've purchased...

Well Fed - by Melissa Joulwan

It's a GREAT  book filled with tip and tricks on how to keep your meals fun, filling and with less prep work.

After 22 days of adopting the Whole30 way of eating...
I must say that I have learned quite a bit.
Not just about "how" to eat more sensibly and fuel my body in the right way...
but I've also learned a lot about myself.
I'm much stronger than I give myself credit for most of the time!

One of the excerpts from the book described perfectly what my life has been like for the past 22 days...

"For the first few weeks, [I spent a lot of time in the kitchen]. I felt like I was on an endless loop of chop, cook, eat, wash, repeat. It was tedious."

For me...it has taken a lot of prep work to be successful on this journey.
My days consist of getting up WAY early to prepare lunch and breakfast for J before he leaves for work.
3:15 a.m. on Tuesdays...grrrrr!!

Between all of the lunches and breakfasts I prepare for everyone else and myself...
at the end of each day...I feel as though I've been in the kitchen for a good majority of it. *frown*

Well Fed has re-fueled my fire!
I love the casual approach of this cookbook...
and not only does it offer some great recipes to inspire you to cook up some wonderfully healthy meals for your family...
"it's healthy eating like you've never seen it - a collision of flavors, textures, and colors designed to impress your eyes, stimulate your taste buds, and nourish your body."

I also love all of the awesome pointers offered about how to make the prep work less tedious,  suggestions for how to shop and ideas for how to plan your meals!!

My favorite part of the book?

"...the right cookbook will inspire you to discover your own creativity and tastes and establish your own experiences and traditions. Well Fed was written to do just that, and will effortlessly allow you to cultivate your own rock star inner chef."

I love that Well Fed encourages you to get creative...
You KNOW I'm all about tapping into that source any chance I get.

So...
with all of that said...
in addition to the plethora of delicious meals from Well Fed on my radar this week...
here's a little guilt-free treat I'm looking forward to "whipping" up...

Berries and Whipped Coconut Cream

photo source: The Clothes Make the Girl

It's simple and is oh-so-perfect for the Summer months we are heading into!
Think "4th of July celebrations"!

GO HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Let me know if you try this out!!

BE INSPIRED:
Here's a little bit of background on Melissa Joulwan, author of Well Fed.
"Many of the recipes in Well Fed debuted on my blog, The Clothes Make the Girl.
I started my blog in 2008 to write about my workout and fashion adventures. As my diet
evolved to focus on paleo foods, I started to casually write about the the things I was eating. 
Soon my adaptations of family recipes were some of the most popular pages on my site, and the ideas
for the cookbook started to simmer."

How's that for some inspiration??

By the way...
just in case you are wondering...
I made the "Zoodles" I mentioned last week!  using the recipe from Well Fed
The julienne peeler I bought worked perfectly...
and the Whole30 approved "Spaghetti & Meatballs" meal I made turned out awesome!
J was surprisingly satisfied! The pasta-lovin-spaghetti-connoisseur that he is...
rated the meal a 9.25 on a scale of 1-10!
SUCCESS!!

Have a great week everyone!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I have to keep it real with you.
The Whole30 has been a HUGE challenge...
which is obviously why they call it a "challenge".  *wink*
I have been discouraged for the majority of it...
not really seeing a big difference in myself...
sitting back watching J reap some real, measurable benefits from it.
I told myself that no matter what...
I would keep pushing through all the way to Day 30.
I'm happy to report...
that FINALLY...
on Day 22...
TODAY...
I've felt the shift with my energy...
and I've noticed my clothes fitting differently.
I NEEDED that little win BIG WIN today!
I'm so grateful!!

RECiPE | Tortellini Pasta Salad

Fourth of July celebrations may be over for now...
but picnics and barbeques will continue to be part of our summer activities.

Because of that...
I am always searching for something new, (and yummy)...
to bring or make for these gatherings.

Not only is this Tortellini Pasta Salad absolutely delicious...
it can be made up to a day ahead of time...
making your life much more simple.
I don't know about you...
but I like that.
A lot. *wink*

Tortellini Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Artichokes

Download this FREE 4x6 recipe card I created for YOU...

TiPS:

Double the recipe for a super large crowd.

(Regardless of the crowd size, I actually double this EVERY time...hoping we are able to bring leftovers home). *wink*

After cooking, draining and rinsing the tortellini under cold water...

I submerge the entire colander of pasta into a large bowl of ice water, (just for about 5-10 seconds), I have waiting and THEN let it drain/dry. 

This immediately prevents the pasta from cooking further as well as assists in the chilling process.

For my personal tastes...

I have never had to use the entire amount of dressing...

(I don't add in the remaining 1/4 c. or more that's left over)

I hope you try this out...

and if you do...

please come back and share your results.

Enjoy!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I'm not claiming this is "healthy"...

but it is quite delicious and there's not a person who hasn't liked it.

I actually got this recipe from a neighbor after sampling it at a community picnic. 

My entire family LOVES it...

which is a good thing...

otherwise I would eat it all myself.

LiFT | Art Print • Spark

In keeping with the festivities of last week...
I created a new piece of art to get our week started off right...
inspired by Katy Perry's song "Firework"

ART PRiNT | Spark

click here to download this FREE 11x14 art print

ART PRiNT | Spark (aged)

click here to download this FREE 11x14 art print

I hope you love it.

TiP:

Want a different sized print without compromising print quality?

You can always go DOWN in size but don't go up:

For example...download the 11x14 art print but have it printed as an

8x10, 5x7, 4x6, 3x5 or smaller.


PRiNTiNG OPTiONS/iDEAS

• Print from home computer.
• Have a photo print made by your favorite photo developer.
• Don't like your printer? Have FedEx Kinko's, Office Depot, or Staples print it for you onto cardstock.
• Have a canvas print made.
• Frame it to hang in your home.
• Frame it and give as a gift.
• Email it to a friend



KEEPiNG iT REAL

I had a FUN day with the girls on Saturday...
We spent the day at the beach together while J had a day to himself...

But now it's back to the grindstone:

Work to catch up on...

A FABULOUS party I'll be posting this week...

My favorite pasta salad recipe I'll be sharing...

Why I love participating in "Photo-A-Day"...

and the start of my "Green Smoothie" journey.

By the way...

Were YOU the winner of the 3x5 Vinyl Banner Giveaway from Banners On the Cheap?

Go here to find out!!

Thank you to everyone who participated!!

STYLiNG | 4th of July Survival Station

Fourth of July Survival Station...

I created this "Survival Station" for practical purposes.
It's a GREAT way to add some festive flair to your neighborhood block party...
but it's also a brilliant, clever way to provide the "essentials" for an evening of fun.
Setting up a centralized location for grabbing blankets, snacks, drinks or even bug repellent
keeps you and your guests outside - where all of the fun is happening.

Although I actually used a table for this particular display...
For those of you actually attending a local fireworks show...
The Survival Station can actually be something as simple as a basket, bag or crate...
filled with a few essential ingredients:

SPARKLERS, SNACKS, BEVERAGES, BLANKETS & BUG REPELLENT
(in addition, if you are hosting an adults-only party, providing matches or lighters is a MUST!)


SIMPLE SNACKS
Stick with simple snacks that can be grabbed quickly and aren't too messy.
You want something that can be munched on while watching the fireworks show.
(And if it's a hot night where you are celebrating, you don't want snacks that are prone to melting)





TEACHING MOMENTS
Keeping little ones occupied while awaiting the fireworks display can prove to be a challenge.
Why not take the opportunity to actually share with them, (or reiterate), the importance of the holiday.
Grab one of the blankets you've conveniently put out for guests to sit on...
and have a couple of age-appropriate patriotic books available for them to sit down and read.
 Or simply find a story online you can share.
(Use that smartphone or iPad of yours - or just print it out beforehand).




MORE TEACHING MOMENTS
Believe it or not...most adults, (let alone children), don't know proper "Flag Etiquette"
Lucky for me, I had the opportunity to host a patriotic themed party some years back.
I researched "Flag Etiquette" and discovered a lot of things I never knew.
I decided to share the information I had learned by creating some simple "Flag Etiquette" cards for guests to take home.





KEY DECOR ELEMENTS
Some of the key decor items used throughout this "Survival Station" include:
Decorative Paper Snack Cups
Striped Straws
DIY Denim Pocket Banner (click for the tutorial)
Small and Large American Flags
White Crates
Aluminum Buckets



FOCAL POINT
I hope you took notice of the fabulous 3x5 vinyl banner hanging behind the table.
It made for a GREAT focal point, don't you think?
 I designed it so it could be used for ANY patriotic celebration/holiday...
 as well as for any "Nautical Themed" event. (smart thinking, right)!!
Banners On the Cheap did an amazing job printing it for me - I love how it turned out!



In fact...
I love the "Celebrate Banner" SO very much...
I want one of you to have one too!
Banners On the Cheap has generously offered to give away one of it's 3x5 Vinyl banners...
to ONE LUCKY winner!

The winner will have the option of choosing the custom designed "Celebrate" banner - exactly like the one shown here...
OR...the winner may select something different from the Banners On the Cheap online shop.

If you live in the contiguous 48...
Here's what to do to enter the giveaway:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

VENDORS/SOURCES

Striped Snack Cups - TomKat Studio

Striped Paper Straws - TomKat Studio

3x5 Vinyl Banner - Banners On the Cheap (custom designed by Pen N' Paperflowers)

White Crates - JoAnn's

American Flags - Family Dollar

Aluminum Buckets - A collection from over the years from Michael's, JoAnn's, and Homegoods.

Beverages - Coke & Cheerwine

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I did a mock set-up prior to the actual photo shoot...

When J pulled in the driveway...

he came in the house with great concern...and said,

"The neighbors are going to think you are selling fireworks!"  Ha!!

A couple of days later, while I was in the middle of the actual photo shoot...

I had three different neighbors stop by to buy some fireworks find out what I was doing.

They offered up many compliments and seemed really inspired.

I even had one of the neighbors come back over with striped Popcorn Boxes in-hand to incorporate into the shoot. (see the very first photo). *wink*

Those are the kind of things that make me happy!!

COMiNG UP | 4th of July Survival Table (Preview)

Good Morning everyone.
I've been enjoying the Summer with my kids...
I hope you've been doing the same.

I'm working on finishing up a post for today...
(among the thousands of things I have on my "To Do" list)...
So...
before the morning escapes me (us)...
I wanted to give you a little peek of what to expect later this afternoon:

How to create a simple 4th of July "Survival Table"

You will NOT want to miss the details...
Especially because there's a fabulous giveaway involved!! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I would've liked to have posted this LAST week...

but life tends to have an agenda of its own sometimes. *wink*

I'm really just trying to maintain a sense of "go with the flow"

as last minute Summer propositions keep popping up.

That IS what Summer is all about, right?

• Making memories...

• Taking the extra time we've got with the kids and making the most of it...

iNSPiRE | The Party Dress Magazine - Summer 2012

The next three days mark the very last days of school this year for my girls.
I'm sure some of you have already...
• expressed heartfelt gratitude and final farewells to some fabulous teachers, faculty and staff members
• participated in end-of-year parties
• attended an awards ceremony (or two)

and perhaps even...
• shed a few tears during milestone graduation ceremonies...
from kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school and perhaps even college.


Well wipe the tears away...
Summer is here!!!
It's time to get focused on how to make it magical!
Whether you are looking for some much needed "lazy days of summer"...
or if you are looking for some clever ways to keep busy...
Check out some of my favorite images from the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine...
you're sure to spot something you'll be inspired by to help make your summer memorable...

The Party Dress Magazine • Summer 2012

Sponge Waterballs by Casi Densmore-Koon of CupcakeMag

Snow Cone Cupcakes by Melissa Johnson of Best Friends for Frosting

Ice Pops by Charynn Olsheski of Two Sugar Babies

Flavored Ice Cubes by Kelly Lyden from the WH Hostess + The Party Dress

Festive & Fun Drinking Straws by Casi Densmore-Koon of CupcakeMag

Star Watermelon Pops by Kelly Lyden of WH Hostess + The Party Dress

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes by Tori Spelling

View the entire issue of the magazine in digital print
or order a printed version of it right here.


Other fabulous contributors and features included in the Summer 2012 Issue include
Jeff Peabody & Jennifer Billingsley, Honeycomb Events  |  Lynlee Beckett, Lynlee’s Petite Cakes
 Kathy Wolfe, Kathy Wolfe Photography |  Katie Nguyen Wells, Petite Social
 Leoni Jena, Just Call Me Martha  |  Jenny Steffens Hobick, Everyday Occassions

I hope you're inspired to get the summer started right...
I know I am!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

First on my list of things to try will be those snow cone cupcakes.

I can totally see those displayed on The Pastry Pedestal...can't you?

And yes...I'll be doing the wooden spoons as well!! *wink*

TEACH | All-Occasion Denim Pocket Banner (Part II)

When I told you the "Pocket Full of Posies" denim pocket banner was versatile...
I meant it.
By simply adding a splash of red and white to the denim pocket banner...
We're now ready to celebrate every patriotic holiday we have coming up...
and this could even be used at Christmas and Valentine's Day too!! LOVE!!!

Here's how to do it.
First, reference Part I of the "Denim Pocket Banner" tutorial right here.
Second, gather your supplies:

SUPPLIES NEEDED:
• Pre-made Denim Pocket Banner (already strung together)
• Red Fabric (or ribbon of your choice - amount is dependent on the amount of pockets on your banner)
• White Fabric (or ribbon of your choice - amount is dependent on the amount of pockets on your banner)
• These Fiskars tools for cutting fabrics easily (or just your favorite sharp scissors)
• Scissors (for trimming the ends of the fabric after they are tied to your banner)

STEP ONE: Cut your fabric. (or ribbon)
Cut your fabrics into strips that are 1 inch wide and about 8 inches long.
The number of strips needed will be determined by the number of pockets you are using for your banner.
Count the number of pockets, add one to that number and you've got your total.
I used ten pockets therefore I needed 11 strips of both fabrics.

STEP TWO: Pick ONE fabric color - either the red or white- and cut the existing strips in half. 

By cutting one of the piles of strips in half, you will actually create a surplus for yourself to store away for use on a future project of your choice. (Keep reading to see how this works)

STEP THREE: Creative tying

You'll be tying the fabric strips at both ends of the banner and in between each pocket.
Place the longer strip of fabric, (right side facing down), underneath the twine.

Lay the smaller strip of fabric, (right side facing up), on top of the twine - creating an "x" with the two strips of fabric.

Working with the longer strip of fabric, grab both ends and creat a knot. (Like the first step in tying your shoes).

A 2nd knot is not needed and will make changing out the fabrics much easier for your next celebration/holiday.

STEP FOUR: Trim 

For a more finished look, I used scissors to add an angle to each of the ends of the tied strips of fabric.

Notice how even though both strips of fabric started off at different lengths, they ended up just about the same size.

TIP: Use the technique above for all of your ribbon tying projects. 

You'll thank me for saving you tons of money because of  all of the extra ribbon, string or fabric you end up with.

Now...
Who's ready for Memorial Day?
And why bother taking it down when you are already set for 4th of July too!!
I LOVE when holiday decor items effortlessly and conveniently flow into the next celebration.

KEEPiNG iT REAL

If you don't have a sharp blade on your rotary cutter...

Your fabric strips will end up looking like this...

You THiNK you cut nice clean strips of fabric...

but when you go to pull them apart...

...they are partially stuck together because my wimpy blade never cut completely through.

Good thing I have another one as back up...

Note to self...
pick up some fresh blades.