why I love our country

When I was asked to do something with the theme of “why I love our country,” I decided that I wanted to do something special for my son’s baby book. I wanted to share my thoughts on why I'm thankful for our freedom and how it relates to him, for him to look at someday and think about when he’s older. I usually just record milestones and growth records, so this was a fun break from the norm to include in his book, and the page will fit nicely next to the last layout I did with the Independence line.

I wanted to try to put something fun that resembled fireworks or streamers on the page, so I folded ¼ strips of paper in a “fan” fold, like this:


When I put my layout together, I first glued down flat strips of paper.


Then I added the folded strips to make them pop off the page.


Here is my finished layout:


Journaling reads: “You are protected and safe. You have good healthcare to keep you healthy. You can get a good education. You are free to worship God as you please. You have clean water to drink. You can marry whoever you are in love with. You are free to be whoever you want to be. Never forget, little one, that freedom always comes with a price… always be thankful for this great land of ours.”

Product list: patterned paper: GCD Studios; Chipboard frame, epoxies, and jewel brads: GCD Studios; alphabet stickers: Jillibean Soup & My Little Shoebox; rub-ons: Hambly; foam glitter stars & ribbon: Joann’s