I love how raffia gives everything that Americana country casual look. This year, I decided that raffia would be the perfect to make a star garland from for my 4th of July party decorations. Enlist the help of your kids in making the Raffia Star Garland. Put them to work punching holes and adding the stars to the raffia. (While you're at it, you could also make these adorable patriotic bracelets.) The finished Raffia Star Garland makes a wonderful indoor or outdoor 4th of July or barbecue party decoration.

Materials

• blue raffia
• red, white, and blue card stock

• star-shaped cookie cutter, or scrapbook pattern (about 3 inches)
• round hole punch

Instructions

1.
Decide how long you'd like your garland to be, your garland will be made up of sections. Each section includes 1 piece of raffia, 1 bow, 1 red star, 1 white star, and 1 blue star, and measures about 6 - 8 inches.

2.
Cut out your stars by tracing them first with a star pattern, or by using a star-shaped cookie cutter. If you use 8 ½ x 11 inch card stock you'll be able to cut about 6 stars per sheet. If you use 12 x 12 inch card stock you'll get about 9 stars per sheet.
3.
Start by cutting out your stars, cut out 1 red, 1 white, and 1 blue star for each section of garland you plan to create. For about 6 feet of garland you'll need 9 to 10 stars of each color (for a total of 27 to 30 stars).
4.
Once you've cut out the stars use the hole punch to punch two holes in the middle of each star. Punch 1 hole to the left of the star's center and 1 to the right (see photo below).

5.
Take two pieces of blue raffia, and tie them together by making a bow. Pull the center of the bow tight so it won't come loose later. Leave the outside ends of the raffia long, so you can add the stars.

6.
On the long end of the raffia add 1 red star by weaving the raffia up through the first hole and back down through the second hole in the center of the star. Repeat this process with 1 white star, and then add 1 blue star.
7.
Add another piece of raffia onto your garland by tying a bow with the end of the piece you just strung the stars on and a new piece.
8.
Weave 1 red, 1 white, and 1 blue star onto the next piece of raffia by repeating step #6.

9.
After the stars are added to the raffia add on a new piece, tie it in and make a bow make a bow, and begin the process once again. Keep repeating the process until the raffia star garland is as long as you want it to be.
10.
Tie off the end of your raffia by making a loop to hang your Raffia Star Garland.

Tips

• Make this garland in other colors to decorate for other holidays. It would also make a nice garland for your Christmas tree.