Happy Independence Day!
Amber Packer here, with My Mind’s Eye. What an honor it is to be with you on such a special day. The day we Americans celebrate our independence, our freedom.
Like most things, each passing year I am realizing more and more the freedom I enjoy (and maybe take for granted).
Amidst time with family, I would like my boys to realize the importance of this day. It helps that they know their great grandpa who was injured twice in WWII. They are pretty proud of him and my youngest thinks Marines are awesome because of my Grandpa.
I decided to create a layout to remind them of some of the freedoms they enjoy because of the continued sacrifice of others.
Freedom by Amber Packer. Photography by Haylee Bean Photography.
I used the My Mind’s Eye American Made Collection to create this layout. I love how the papers are slightly distressed and the patterns reminiscent of small town America. The Accessory sheet is easy to layer and makes journaling easy.
Did you notice the firecracker on the bottom left side of the page?
It’s so simple. When my layout was complete, I found a scrap that was about 2 1/2″ x 3″. Then I rolled the scrap side to side around a sucker stick so that it is still 3″ tall. I took it out and rolled from the other side to make sure it was tight and smooth.
Then I opened it just enough to add adhesive to the end, rolled it back up and made sure the adhesive was tight. With the stick still in, I wrapped thin wire around the firecracker and about 1″ above. Pull out the stick and add the rhinestone star using hot glue. Voila!
Guess what!? My Mind’s Eye would like to give one Creating Keepsakes Blog reader the American Made collection. Leave a comment on this post about the memories you’re making this 4th of July for your chance to win!
Whether you live in the U.S. or elsewhere, I hope you will take the time today to think about what makes the place you call home special.
Amber Packer
What a beautiful layout–and I LOVE the firecracker! =)
Cooking out with my family, then going to our town’s fireworks, where I sang the Star Spangled Banner before the show!
Love My Minds Eye! I spend this fourth of July with my family and extended family at my cousins house. I was so happy that he and his wife extended the invitation and brought all of us together for a barbeque. And we had our own private fireworks display! It was wonderful. You created a great layout, I love that you showed us the details. Thank you for sharing!
Katie B.
We will be having fun with family and friends! Sparklers and the camera will be on board, too. Oh, and I can’t forget my daughter’s delish 4th of July cheescake! Yum!
I love everything about this layout – but especially the firecracker! So cute and easy. I am a huge MME fan. Always find myself drawn to the beautiful papers. Can’t wait to feature a page about my wacky nine-year-old son and his love of fireworks.
This is my favorite patriotic collection EVER! Love the nostalgic feel without being distressed.
We spend the 4th going to the local parade and then having family over for a BBQ. The best way to celebrate our freedom, in my opinion!
I would LOVE to win!! Last year I was ill and in a wheelchair for the 4th of july, this year my 4 small kids were thrilled mommy could play with them and get back to our traditions of good food, fun and fireworks!
My husband and I went to a neighboring town’s July 4th celebration where they had live music, watermelon, kids’ movies, a sky diving exhibit, etc. Fireworks were banned this year in central Texas because of the extreme drought and the danger of fires, but we found a way to have fun without them.
Thanks for this nice giveaway.
Our favorite 4th of July memories are grilling out with family and watching fireworks with friends!
What great patriotic papers! MME comes through again. Had a great 4th celebrating with family and friends – BBQing, playing games and doing fireworks.
We always go to Grass Lake, Michigan for a parade. The kids get candy, the adults get Jiffy mix, and we all have a good time. This year is the first time DS will get to see the parade.
This fourth of July we celebrated with my immediate family. We got together to watch fireworks, play outside, cook and help Dad make Bar B Q. It’s on days such as this that we remember how fortunate we are to be in our wonderful USA! I even took pictures this year! Thanks for the chance to win some fun products!
Red, white, and blue. We don’t always realize how lucky and honored we are to live in such a wonderful place. Coming from a Cuban background, having heard, and still hearing the many horor stories that my family went through in their country makes me appreciate everything I have, and don’t have for that matter. Now that I have kiddies of my own, I am truly blessed to be able to give them the life everyone deserves and wants, simply because we live HERE. Good luck to everyone.
Our 4th of July memories were all about family. Great company, good food, fun games and fireworks. It was awesome!
This 4th of July was extra special because I got married five days earlier. I took lots of photos and spent time reflecting how amazing it is to live in America where I am able to live and love openly. My wife and I live in Massachusetts and feel incredibly grateful that we have the right to marry. Our hope is that by next 4th of July, Americans in every state across the nation will be able to marry whomever they love.
Awesome layout! I just love anything patriotic!
Oh Wow! I absolutely love your layout Amber! Beautiful papers + great design work = Heavenly layout! Great imagination. Love the firecracker!
Beautiful layout… This year my dh worked so, we are homebound for the day. He works from home so, at least we can spend the day together!
Just love this collection, so classic, some 4th of July papers are gawdy, yours are perfect! Celebrated my birthday along with our countries bd. Sorry late, just found this site and love it. Thanks
Love the great layout ideas! Spent the day at the parade and fireworks show with my family. Can’t wait to scrap the pics!
We went to the local “Let Freedom Ring” celebration. Great food, great music and so much fun!! I even tried taking pics of some of the fireworks and am happy to say I got a few good ones!!!
We had the family over for great barbeque and corn on the cob. We watched the fireworks in our neighborhood and tried to capture some in photos!
I love the clever firecracker! We had chicken and watermelon and watched the fireworks next door.
The firecracker is ADORABLE! I will definitely have to use that in the future! My family & I went to the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens, NYC and enjoyed a 4th of July birthday party & jazz concert. Lots of pics to scrap! What a wonderful world!
oh my goodness, this might be my new favorite line!! the firecracker is fabulous
this was my first time celebrating Independence Day on an Army post… lemme tell ya, they know how to put on a FANTASTIC fireworks show!!
Amanda–awesome page and amazing products from MME. Thanks so much for the firecracker idea.
This layout is super fun! We had a nice relaxing day. We watched the town’s parade, played in the beautiful sunshine outside, had a fun lunch, rode some rides at the carnival that was in town, had a yummy dinner and went to watch fireworks! A beautiful day that will be charished for ever!
Love the layout! Picnics and fireworks for two days, then the neighborhood parade that I started. Perfect weather, the kids’ bikes looked so festive, wonderful little parade. Lots of photos that need to be scrapbooked.
I love everything you do. YOu are awesome! Great Ideas here.
Spending the day with family at a reunion (great food!) and then going to watch fireworks. This is a great layout!
Camping with my husband, 2 sons, their wives and my 2 grandchildren. We go every year. We call it primative camping as there are not many that make it that far away so it is never crowded! Miss the fireworks, but the stars are so beautiful you don’t mind.