Here’s one of my favorite party projects, from July 4th a few years ago… Shrinky Stemware Charms made from recyclable #6 plastic (like from to-go containers)!

“For the 4th of July, my husband and best friend were running the Peachtree Road Race, so I decided to have brunch at my house and invite over friends for mimosas and food. Since we were doing mimosas (champagne and OJ for the uninitiated), i figured everyone would be drinking out of stemmed glasses and they’d get mixed up, so what about making some fun, temporary glass markers using shrinky dinks. I made up 6 the night before on a whim, and they were quite loved by all, but the funny part was that the morning turned into a shrinky dink party as everyone wanted to try and make their own (both more glass markers, and other fun stuff).”

Go Read the Whole thing and get the How-to! Shrinky Dink Stemware Charms

Here’s some more cool Independence Day links, too!

• Dessert and Drink ideas for the 4th of July from An Opera Singer in the Kitchen
• Creative July 4th Party Ideas at Tip Junkie
• A Frozen Trio of Red, White, and Blue (sort of) at Perry’s Plate

• Recipe: Coconut Granita with Lychees (she suggests adding red and blue fruit for 4th of July colors!) at Zakka Life
• Mega-crafty’s cupkins for July: Cupkins: 4th of July Red, White and Blueberry Muffins …and Red White and Blue Cupcakes from her partner in crime, Ready, Set, Craft!
• More Cupcakes! Independence Day Cupcakes at Ooh Shiny!

• Lots of Decor and Food Fourth of July ideas from Chica and Jo
• Rhubarb, Blueberry & Cream Parfait From the Chronicle Kitchen
• One Pretty Thing’s Fourth of July Roundup Here, and more 4th of July here!

• July 4 Roundup at Dollar Store Crafts (lots of cupcake ideas…)
• Love this Nautical Crab Boil at Design*Sponge
• Hot ‘n’ Smoky Baked Beans from Niki, here at Foodwhirl!
• And here’s Rawls’ Potato Salad, if you need more food…

And More from Foodwhirl:

• Red, White & Blue Strawberries
• Spotlight: Blueberry Cobbler Bars
• Happy 4th! – Holiday Food ideas… a Foodwhirl Roundup