Reflections on Father's Day

Stanley R. Baker

1924-1994

For a long time, a much smaller, younger version of myself carried a very important secret conviction in her heart. I knew, without doubt, that I had the most handsome, wonderful Daddy in the whole world. I did have some tact even at 7 or 8, so I didn't brag about it to my friends, but I so knew it was true. I remember every eye in the schoolyard following me as I crawled into his squad car when he picked me up to have lunch with him as a special treat. I don't remember many memories of being as proud as that in my entire life.

Dad was a police officer when they were considered heros--no, not a cop or (cringe) a "pig" as policemen were sometimes called in the 60's. He was a calm, patient, "gentleman" who, as one partner of his commented at his service, would make friends with a felon before arresting him. He had the gift of a true storyteller and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. His book collection spanned every genre from the classics to scifi to biographies, and he was always in the middle of a good one. My love of reading began when he read from the classics to me at bedtime.

As his only daughter, I learned unconditional love on his knee and comfort and safety against his broad chest. I can no longer trace him a picture of my hand or buy him a tie for Father's Day, but I can honor him and remember all those happy moments of sitting watching him in his workshop or darkroom developing photos or on a riverbank cleaning a creel full of fresh trout he'd just caught--heck I remember begging my mother to let me go with him to the dump! All those memories just come flooding back. I hope all men know the legacy they leave as fathers. Mine left me one without parallel. Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Box full of Thanks

So last night I saw this cute project at Barbstamps.com and thought I'd give it a try and look what happened! I made this cute little box and then it just begged me to fill it up. The box is about 3-1/4 inches square and 2 inches tall (quite tiny) so I had to make something pretty small to fill it. I ended up making 5 little 3x3 inch notecards with envelopes. They are popped and layered with the stamp/embossed "Thanks" sentiment on the daisy design which has been embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder and then finished off with little Twistel leaves. The box is topped with several Prima whisper blossoms and a jewel brad. Anyway, I'm quite taken with my little creation. Click on the photos for more detail.

.

Folding Space

I am so enamoured of this wonderful tri-shutter folding card design that I have already made three of them! Bonnie Szwalkiewicz (in my head I've been pronouncing it "soda crackers"...forgive me Bonnie) has posted a tutorial on her website ---> Click here.

Anyhoo, here is my first attempt...what a great way to use up all those gorgeous bits and scraps of dp that I couldn't bring myself to toss.

Here's another photo of it all folded up.

I love my wall o' ribbon...I took some initiative and put up some hooks for my collection. It's such a pretty rainbow. After trying every ribbon storage system ever known, I finally found the perfect solution--no more tangled, wrinkled mess and I can actually find exactly the color or type I want almost instantly. It's called ribbon ring. Check it out here.

On a roll...

I'm actually making some progress on filling up little Rowan's scrapbook. This past weekend, April and the two grandbabies were here and Rowan really enjoyed Grandma's big tub. We got some darling photos so I had to do a page. Who can resist adorable bathtime photos...