4th of July Memories

I made a second mini this month (woo hoo!) using the July Project Kit...
Let me tell ya, it was fun playing with that fabric trim from Pink Paislee!! I experimented at first...and I want to share a tip. Don't bother using glue-dots--go for fabric glue and a heavy book on this one. Simply put a dab of glue on one of the sides, and pinch it together.

You end up with an awesome ruffle! Want to play a little more? I used the black strip to do every other one, and used clips to hold the glue and shape into place. I love how it turned out (I'll post a pic of that one soon!) I digress...

So I took a cheap bandanna, ripped a few strips, and created a border underneath the ruffle. Next, I took a 4x8 piece of raw chipboard, and covered it with fabric I picked up at Jo Ann's (the words state the Pledge of Allegiance--and I love it!). Again--stick with the fabric glue here...

Go ahead and tuck the corners under. You'll glue that to the cover of the book! I added a bow tie for good measure...(and I plan on adding a tag with a decorative star embellie when I find the perfect one in my stash soon...I don't call it Work in Progress for nothing'!)

Repeat the same 4x8 fabric covered chipboard for the front and back inside covers, too...

I've always been one to entertain on July 4th--it's a tradition. I've taken tons of pictures over the years, and now they have a home!

Below is a sampling of the pages. It is not involved at all--photos and words mostly. I love that I intentionally do NOT go in chronological order (would you read a book if you knew what was coming on the next page?). I also love that it is random--pics of our home, family, food, you name it. I intend to print up a few of my standard recipes to include it in here, too.

I added pages by using plain red cardstock and the patterned paper that was included in the kit!

I also left a few blanks so I could add photos from this year's party.

And you know I had to use border punches for the edges of pages, right?

Hey--speaking of--I'll announce the winner to the contest this afternoon!! Check back later! :)