The Kraft Journal Memorial Day Challenge

Our Memorial Day Challenge at The Kraft Journal is in full swing and there plenty of time to join us. All the details regarding this challenge are available by clicking on our Current Challenge link that is located in the top right sidebar of our blog.  You have until this Sunday at 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time to enter for a chance to win prizes and adorable blog buttons too!

Before I share my project with you today, I wanted to share this you, first.  USMemorialDay.Org says that since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and guard the graves for 24 hours to ensure the flags remain standing. They go on to say that with few exceptions (like the one above) traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.across the United States. However, to help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

As a Veteran of the United States Army, I wanted to take the time to share that information with you today, as well as create a card that I felt best shows the traditional observance of Memorial Day by including an image I found at The Vintage Workshop.

I created this card from Brown Kraft Coverweight Cardstock cut into a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 side-fold card and layered it with Buff Ivory Cardstock cut to 5 1/4 x 4 inches and adhere pattened paper on top of that cut to 5 x 3 3/4 inches. I wrapped the card with 7 Gypsies Victoria Seam Binding in cream and royal blue. A button tied with red and white Baker's Twine and Antique Jenni Bowlin Stick Pins top the bow. I printed the digital image/sentiment that I felt conveys the true meaning of this holiday onto Buff Ivory Cardstock to finish the card. A Buff Ivory envelope adorned with patterned paper completes the project.

I hope you find time to create a Memorial Day inspired project this week and share it with us at The Kraft Journal!