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24.6.11

4th of July and Flag Jello



First and foremost:
4th of July is my most favorite holiday, and I am SOOO excited for it this year. I'm not sure why but it has always been my favorite holiday. Maybe it it the sense of community, or that it is the pinnacle of summer, or you get to lay around all day and do nothing if you want, or maybe I've just always had REALLY great 4th of July's. It's probably a combination of all of the above tied with the fact that there isn't ever that much expectation that comes with this holiday, so whatever happens can be fabulous. I have yet to be disappointed on a 4th of July.
(knock on wood.)

Secondly:
I'm not typically a cutesie-make jello into crazy holiday caricature or turn cotton balls into various woodland christmas creatures- type. But... the 4th of July rocks, and deserves Jello, and preplanning. This is the first year that I have actually had time to decorate and think about and plan for this fabulous holiday.. and I WILL go all out.

Thirdly:
I'm not a recipe writer... I'm a photographer. Try and stay with me, I hope the photos help immensely.

Flag Jello

4 (3 oz) packages of some sort of red jello
3 (3 oz) packages of blue jello
4 packets of KNOX Gelatin
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Lots of Boiling water

Blue Jello:
Mix your 3 packages of Blue Jello with 1 package of KNOX and 3 cups Boiling water. Mix until all is dissolved and then pour the entire contents into a 9x14 GLASS dish. *the dish NEEDS to be see through, you will understand why at the end*
Set in refrigerator and let sit for 30-45 mins (this depends on how cold your fridge is, mine took 40.)

While your blue Jello is setting prepare red and white jello.

White Jello:
Mix 1/2 cup COLD water with 2 packets KNOX, let sit for 2 mins. In another bowl mix 1 cup BOILING water with your sweetened condensed milk. Then mix 1/2 cup BOILING water to your gelatin mix. Once Gelatin is all dissolved, mix with Milk Mixture. Set aside.

Red Jello:
Mix your 4 packages of red jello with 1 package of KNOX and 4 cups Boiling water. Mix until all is dissolved. Set aside.


Because you will be using both the RED and WHITE over a long period you need to keep it semi warm so that it does not set. AFTER both had cooled a significant amount I simply put the 2 bowls in a sink of warm water.


Take out your Blue jello from the fridge after it has set enough to not leave on imprint when you touch when your finger to it. Get a sharp knife and run under hot water. Cut Horizontally across the pan, 1 inch strips. If you run your knife under hot water after each cut it cuts much more smoothly. Now....remove every other strip of jello.


Add 3tbl of red jello to each empty strip.

Place back in fridge for 15 mins or so take out when jello passes the finger indent test.
Add 3 Tbls of the white jello to each strip containing just red. (If this doesn't bring it right up to the same level as the blue jello you can either add more white or place back in fridge and add another layer of red until it evens out.)

Once again, place in fridge.. you know the drill....
*at this point your jello should all be the same level.*
once set, Add 1 and 1/4 cup of red jello... this will cover your entire pan
Let set in fridge
Add 1 and 1/4 cup white jello
let set
Red
White
Red
White

Until you run out.


Let set at least another Hour or so before cutting to make sure all of the layers are jello-ed together and well set... waiting longer will probably be better.


Check out the side of your pan, start cutting horizontally where the blue begins. Cut on that same side of the blue on every strip of blue. Then cut jello vertically, I like "flag sized" pieces so I kept them about 1/2 inch apart.

See the flag? Its upside down but it is there! Cut out, flip over, serve on dish and walah!!!
You are eating our US flag...
YUM.


You better believe there is another DIY for the 4th coming next week.. maybe even 2...

I linked on:
topsy turvy tuesdayslil luna link party button
Somewhat SimpleTransformation Thursday
504 MainJoin  us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap  up           party!A Little Knick Knack
The Girl CreativeSumo's Sweet Stuffcraft
Making

21 comments:

  1. this is super cute! thanks for sharing the how to :) happy 4th of july!

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  2. What a project! It looks beautiful but definitely would be a stay at home day project.....pour some jello, fold laundry, pour jello, wash dishes, pour jello, feed the kid, jello, bathroom, jello, laundry, jello, feed the hubby and the kid. _Claire R.

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  3. I love that idea! So creative! BTW this is Chelsie's husband (Michael's) sister, so I'm not some weirdo haha. Love your blog!

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  4. These turned out awesome. I saw you over at 504 Main. Thanks for sharing this cool idea!

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  5. that is the coolest thing ever. I will def have to make this! thanks for the diy

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  6. I'm not a major jello lover, but this is worth making! Magnificent!

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  7. This is so darn cute!

    Can you come link up to my summer party series? It's my first ever and it's totally dedicated to summer parties!
    http://sweetcsdesigns.com/archives/907

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  8. That's a neat idea. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. This is super impressive! I would love for you to link this up to MMM this week! Such a great idea :)

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  10. How freakin cute are these! I love layered jello. This will be a must for me this year!!

    http://btanders.blogspt.com

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  11. that is genius! and i love how amped up you are about this holiday, lol-you sound like me, except i'm talking about halloween.

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  12. This is such a cool idea! You are a genius. My boys would adore this, so I'll have to give it a try this weekend. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Found you via, sugar and dots... The 4th is my favorite holiday too (a holiday in the MIDDLE of summer- what could be more awesome! These 4th treats are really cute.

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  14. WOWSERS! These are UH-mazing! I am your newest follower! I would love it if you check mine out and if you like it become my newest follower! Have a great 4th!

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  15. What a great idea! Super job

    I am having a Red, White and Blue Linky Party that I'd love for you to join in on by adding your link!
    http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/07/red-white-and-blue-linky-party.html

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  16. What an amazing site you have! Your pictures are just wonderful! I loved this idea so much I featured you on my site, so grab a button if it suits your fancy!

    -Kate

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  17. I made this today and my family LOVED it. They have demanded that it become our new Fourth of July tradition. Thanks for the recipe!!

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  18. I made this for my 4th of july party and it was a huge hit...although I added a bit of rum to the red jello. :D

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