Let's Hear it for the Red, White and Blue!

Memorial Day and Independence Day are the two holidays where we Americans are given the green light to go full-on red, white and blue.  As with every holiday, I look to the celebration maven, Martha Stewart, for inspiration on decor and food but  I've also included some great ideas from other very creative sources as well.  Just click on the links for recipes and directions and have fun!

Invitations:

While there are so may ways to make your own, festive invitations and a good selection of well designed, fill-in-the-information cards out there, if you're planning a more formal shindig, or just want the convenience of custom invitations, these graphically cool ones from Tiny Prints, are a great way to go.

Some other websites for fun Fourth of July invitations:

Invitation Box

My Good Greetings

Fine Stationery

Paperlicious

Decor:

Here are a few of my favorites from Martha Stewart:

Four-Star Dining Decorations

Fireworks Table Setting

Patriotic Napkin Rings

Easy Sand Castles

Oodlekadoodle Primitives: Flag Wreath

Treats:

Whenever I think of a fourth of July celebration, I'm reminded of the classic Martha Stewart, flag sheet cake my mother used to make.  Not only is it so visually cool, but it's incredibly delicious as well. 

Below are just a few of the many fabulous looking (and no doubt, tasting) red, white and blue desserts from Martha and other creative bakers and foodies.

Martha Stewart: Flag Sheet Cake

Martha Stewart: American Flag Tart

Martha Stewart: Flag Cupcakes

Martha Stewart: Pretzel Sparklers

Martha Stewart: Red, White and Blue Parfaits

Marzipan: Flag Day Cookies

A Cup of Sugar A Pinch of Salt: Fourth of July Fireworks Cookies

For The Love of Sucrose: Fourth of July Red Velvet Cupcakes

Kraft Foods: JELL-O Easy Patriotic Pie (video)

Bella Limento via Babble: Red, White and Blue Jell-O Stars

Gimme Some Oven: Stained Glass Jello

Brooke McLay via Babble: Patriotic Krispy Star Pops

Brooke McLay via Babble: Rice Krispie Treats

Pennies on a Platter: Patriotic Pops

Bake at 350: 4th of July Ice Cream Sundaes with Cookies

Brooke McLay via Babble: Red, White and Blue Cake-in-a-Jar

Love from the Oven: Patriotic Push Pop Cake

17 and Baking: 4th of July Flag Cake

Bakers Royale: 4th of July Fruit Pops

The Sisters Café: 4th of July Strawberries

Taste and Tell: 4th of July Toast

Betty Crocker: Red, White and Blue Pancakes

Chasing Fireflies is a great source for unique, luxury items like these, for every season or holiday.

4th of July Treat Hat

Liberty Lollipops

Happy 4th of July Gumballs
Clear paint cans, and polka dot ribbons like the ones here, can be found at Michael's.
You can make your own label on a computer or create one by hand.

Star-Spangled Cookies
Mason jars like the this one can be found at most supermarkets.

Addendum:
We're attending our second annual fireworks watching party tonight, and last year, for my hostess gift, I brought cupcakes, not knowing there's a making one's own cupcakes tradition hosted by the neighbors.  Whoops!  This year I wanted to bring something just for our gracious hostess, so, noticing that she used the same fabulous dish washing liquid that I do Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena, so I bought her a bottle and accompanied it with a patriotic dish towel and oven mitt set (and flag).  I'm already thinking about what I could bring next year if we are invited (I sure hope so!).  Does anyone have any great red,white and blue hostess gift ideas?  Share them here!