Memorial Day Parade

There is nothing like a small-town parade to make you feel patriotic! People line the sidewalk and there is a celebratory feel in the air. Neighbors visit while they set up lawn chairs and spread-out blankets. The noise goes up in volume and kids start clapping when you finally hear the faint sounds of a high school marching band in the distance. Then the firetrucks and police cars come slowly down the road with honking and quicks bursts of sirens and every float that passes by throws candy to the little (and not so little) kids lining the sidewalks. This was our experience at the Schoharie Memorial Day Parade.

Alyssia was playing her saxophone in the school band and Jim, the boys and I went to watch. It was a beautiful night and the boys were loving it! I probably took fifty photos that night, and we made some awesome memories I will share here on later dates, but this layout focuses on the actual parade.

I take pictures of practically every float / truck that drives by and the boys watching the float / trucks drive by. These are the photos that "made the cut." The picture I selected as my focal point features the back of the boys as the "grand marshal" float drove past. It had two active-duty soldiers in a mock cemetery with the names of local heroes who gave their life in the line of the duty. It was a powerful visual image of the true meaning of Memorial Day, and it obviously impacted Zach who felt compelled to salute as the float went by. I was thrilled I was able to capture that memory.

Scrapbooking Tips:

This was a fun layout to create. I used a Scrapbook Generation sketch that focused on 3x4" inch photos. It is a great way to include lots of photos and the predesigned cards included in paper collections. The backdrop behind my 6x4" photo was also created with 3x4" inch papers.

I followed the suggested stitching on the sketch . . . and there was a lot of stitching! I also fussy cut some of the flag hearts out of the pattern paper to use as embellishments as you can see in the photo below.

Another thing I did was add arrow stickers to point out Alyssia in the band. As hard as I tried, I could not get a good picture of her. When I zoomed in the photo was too blurry. You could see her in these photos if you looked, but to make it less like "Where's Waldo?" I literally pointed her out.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Bazzill

Pattern Paper and Puffy Star Stickers: Bella Blvd

Embroidery Floss: Hobby Lobby