August Traditions

August has been a blur of checking off lists and making last minute summer memories...following traditions we camped, school shopped, beached it and ate it (Family lobster cook-out).  I've spent the entire month running, so I'm especially thankful we're wrapping it up on Sunday with my Dad's traditional breakfast birthday party.  My sister and I bring the kids over at 9:30am for coffee, bakery fresh donuts and home.made.from.scratch German chocolate cake (my Dad's favorite!).  My Mom loves to bake (she's an artist really) so she has each of us choose what type of cake we'd like on our birthdays. It's a tradition I've loved since I was a kid.

I make birthday cards every year for my little family.  I enjoy designing them specific to each member, and the process reminds me of my great Bampa.  He used to draw his own cards, and I loved watching and listening to him tell the story created with each pen stroke.  

This is the card I created for my Dad's 65th birthday.

It's design is based on the tall & skinny sketch over at Mojo Monday's, 

and the inspiration came from a photograph of a father's bare feet with his daughter's.

I printed it on a "precious" piece of vintage graph paper (from my late Bampa's hoarded stash).  It makes the image personal and vintage-y.  I also painted over it with a fine crackle finish for that old photograph feel.  The chipboard frame is K&Company that I painted, crackled, distressed and stained just to make it look 'non-pretty' (my Madison's gentle way with words).

Vintage shabby perfection, in my opinion.

Then I loaded it up with everything that reminded me of all those incredible father-daughter moments we shared....a game tile, paperclip, vintage button, a bit of rusted screen, a metal sprig of leaves, a clock, a key, film strips, and a vintage slide.  The paper is DCWV and Colorbok that I hand stamped (Prima-Brick Wall is my favorite!) and clear embossed (the stars) for added texture and to balance out the grid paper.

Honestly, it could be indiscriminate black crayon on printer paper and my Dad would love it.  He cherishes tradition and has taught me the same.  I adore him for the man he is and for the person he's helped me to become.  

Happy birthday Daddy.

Have a wonderful day!

M.