Faux Fireworks Patriotic Centerpiece

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope you’re enjoying the holiday weekend, and if you know American soldiers who gave their lives, that you’re honoring their memory in a really special way today.  It’s a great day for Patriotic crafts, and I love that today’s project is perfect for both Memorial Day and the 4th of July in another 6 weeks.  This red, white and blue craft makes for great decor on your summer mantel or as a centerpiece at your barbecue!

This craft is part of a FloraCraft® Make It: Fun Foam Ball challenge, and I had so much fun partnering with FloraCraft® to make it!  They sent this fabulous box of goodies to see what I could come up with using their Make It: Fun® Foam Balls and Tools.  And if you like my idea, then you can get lots more foam inspiration at makeitfuncrafts.com.

I added some paint and a few basic craft and household supplies to this box of foam goodies.  And some glitter.  Glitter makes everything better. ;)

Here’s what you’ll need:

• FloraCraft® Make It: Fun® Foam Balls (1″ and 1-1/2″ for the fireworks, and other sizes to fit your base)
• FloraCraft® Make It: Fun® Foam Cutter
• Cotton swabs
• Toothpicks
• Spray paint and spray glitter
• Scissors
• Wood dowels and/or bamboo skewers
• Patriotic base (check your local dollar store or dollar section!)
• Craft glue
• Paper shreds or confetti

First, use 1-inch and 1.5 inch foam balls to create your fireworks.  I used cotton swabs with one tip cut off and toothpicks to create two different styles of pyrotechnics.  The larger the ball, the more swabs or picks you will need, but also, the fuller it will look when you’re done.  I recommend using a mix of sizes and supplies so that you get a variety!  When you’ve filled your foam ball, insert a slim dowel or a bamboo skewer into it.  Again, variety is key here, so using sticks of different lengths will help you build a great visual display.

Next, I cut two larger balls up to line the bottom of my base with foam, using the foam cutter.  I cut one in half, and another into quarters.  Use craft glue (or hot glue) to secure the flat sides of the cut foam to your base.

Next, take your faux fireworks outside and spray paint them.  I used a mix of red and blue, and finished them off with a silver glittering spray – but get creative!  When spray painting foam, use multiple light coats for best results.  I sprayed mine twice and allowed them to dry for 30 minutes between coats, and for 60 minutes to dry before assembling.  My total craft time was under an hour of active craft time, and 90 minutes drying time.

Finally, assemble it, topiary-style!  Poke the sticks into the foam base at various heights.  You can cluster them together more easily when they’re offset, so you can create a fuller display.  Cover your base foam with paper shreds or confetti, and it’s ready to share!

You can find other bloggers’ great crafts using FloraCraft® Make It: Fun® Foam by following the #MakeItFunCrafts hashtag, and visit their website for more products and craft ideas.  Thanks for joining me today for this red, white and blue craft project!