DIY Memorial Day Decorations

The Memorial Day celebrations are fast approaching and we’re back with more fresh ideas for DIY decorations - check out our previous blog for even more ideas, there’s some goodies in there to try again this year too! 

Stars & Stripes Vase -

Decorate a cylindrical vase for Memorial Day with ease using paper strips and hand cut paper stars. 

Supplies you will need for this quick project:

• Cylindrical vase
• Cardstock or craft paper in red, white and blue
• Cutting mat
• Hobby knife - also known as a craft knife with a fresh blade
• Ruler
• Glue
• Pencil

Measure the circumference of your vase. Protect your tabletop with a cutting mat and using the hobby knife cut red, white and blue strips of paper ½” longer than the circumference so that there is overlap. Arrange alternating the colors, glue one at a time.  

Next, cut out stars, draw them in pencil first as needed, and glue over the stripes.

So quick and simple! 

Use this idea for other containers like utensil holders or marker holders for writing names on water bottle labels. 

Red, White & Blue Polymer Clay Coasters - 

Coasters are a great way to protect the table surface and they also add to the celebratory table setting. If you’re unfamiliar with using polymer clay, read our earlier blog about getting started with polymer clay, we hope you find it helpful. 

For this project you will need the following supplies:

• Clay in red, white and blue
• Cutting mat
• Hobby knife, also known as a Craft knife
• Wax paper
• Sealer & finishing glue and applicator brush (optional)
• Rolling pin or clay roller
• Sanding stick with a fine grit sanding belt
• Circle stencil or a large round cookie cutter
• Glue
• Cork sheet for backing

Cover your tabletop with a cutting mat, select your polymer clay colors and cut into small pieces, approximately .5x.5x.5”, the pieces don’t have to be exact, they should all be slightly different to achieve the desired irregular stripe pattern. 

Work the polymer clay into thin logs approximately 5” long - they should be longer than the diameter of the cookie cutter, some could be thinner and some a little thicker. On wax paper, arrange in a pattern of red, white and blue stripes, alternating the widths. 

Once done with the layout, cover with another piece of wax paper and using a rolling pin flatten and smooth out into a uniform sheet. Lift the top piece of wax paper and using the circle stencil or cookie cutter, cut out the shape from the sheet.

Follow the polymer clay packaging instructions for baking temperature and duration. 

Once solid and cooled, using the sanding stick, smooth out any imperfections or distortions that may have occurred during backing. With the hobby knife, cut out a circle backing from the cork sheet and apply glue to the entire surface area. Glue the polymer clay coaster to the cork. 

As an added and optional step, apply a few coats of sealer to the surface of the polymer clay. Follow directions on the packaging for best results. 

Polymer Clay Napkin Rings -

Continuing the stripes theme for these projects, following the same directions as for the coasters, make a stripe sheet 6” or 6.5” long and 1” wide. 

Form into a cylinder, there’s a few things you can use as a form; a small cookie cutter or a paper towel roll cut into a short 1” cylinder. Maker’s Tip: Precut the side of the cardboard core so it’s easier to remove. 

Smooth out the seam, gently remove the form and bake. Follow polymer clay packaging instructions for temperature setting and duration for baking. 

Once baked and cooled, using a sanding stick, smooth out any imperfections and if you like, apply a few coats to the surface for a final finish. 

Water Bottle Labels - 

A simple way for a generic water bottle to be part of the themed table setting and know which bottle belongs to which guest by adding an area for everyone to write in their names. Download our template and print on your choice of paper. Then using a ruler and craft knife, on your cutting mat, cut them out one by one. 

Remove the original labels from the bottle and discard properly, then tape the new labels on. To make them water resistant, use packing tape to cover the full surface area of the label. 

Have fun this Memorial Day and don’t forget to tag us @excelblades, we’d love to see your festive settings!