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5.31.2010

Dearest Dad

Me @ Arlington Cemetery

Dearest Dad, I miss you. But, today I am going to celebrate your life. Thank you for being a great father who exemplified strength like no other.

My dad, a retired USAF veteran served as a military member and made the U.S. a safe place for me and you. Unfortunately, his life ended after fighting Multiple Sclerosis for over twenty years. My dad exemplified strength like no other.



Arlington Cemetery

Below, is a photo of my dad when he was stationed in the far east during his military career. I made this canvas altered project in honor of my dad a couple of years ago. I removed that polka dotted ribbon and it sits in my office at work. I love it. You can see the original post here.


My dad LOVED sweets! So, in his memory I made pecan turtles. You can find the recipe here. I used PTI's egg box and created a matching card. Hopefully, this project will give you a few ideas for a father/dad in your life to celebrate. So, who will I give mine to? My mom! She was my dad's caretaker for over 20 years. Although I had a dad for a long time, my mom was in many was like a dad too since my dad was ill most of my childhood. I'm sure she'll just take the candy and run! :) Don't get mad mommy when you read that part! *giggles*

My mom @ my wedding

Card + Chocolate Box Ensemble


Box Details


Box Top Details


Box Inside Details

Instructions
  1. Paint egg box and lid with brown acrylic paint.
  2. Stamp wood grain pattern on box using vintage cream ink.
  3. Cut felt strip and adhere to box.
  4. Die cut square from brown felt and pop off box lid center.
  5. Die cut circles from kraft and cream cardstocks.
  6. Stamp sentiments, layer and pop off felt square.
  7. Add buttons.
  8. On inside, cut cardstock to fit inside the box. Adhere wax paper to cardstock and punch half circles on each side to be able to lift each chocolate layer up. Add chocolates.
Supplies

Stamps :: background basics (woodgrain), just for you
Ink :: vintage cream, simply chartreuse; SU! - chocolate chip; Ranger - old paper
Cardstock :: kraft, vintage cream
Embellishments :: simply chartreuse, dark chocolate felt, dark chocolate buttons
Tools :: Making Memories - chocolate acrylic paint; Ranger - Claudine Hellmuth brushes; Helmar - craft glue; Spellbinders - standard circles large nestabilities (S4-114), classic squares large nestabilities (S4-126), wizard


Card

Inside Card


Instructions
  1. Trim dark chocolate cardstock to 2.5" x 5" and stamp woodgrain pattern in vintage cream ink.
  2. Pop woodgrain stamped cardstock off a 3" x 5.5" dark chocolate card base.
  3. Die cut circle from kraft cardstock and adhere to card front center.
  4. Stamp leaf on ripe avocado cardstock, cut out and pop off card front.
  5. Stamp sentiment on rustic cream cardstock, trip and pop off card front.
  6. Add buttons with twine.
  7. On inside, stamp world with watermark ink and sentiment in vintage cream ink.
Supplies
  • Simply Chartreuse and Ripe Avocado pair well together! Don't be afraid to mix hues!
Supplies

Stamps :: background basics (woodgrain), masculine motifs (sentiment, leaf)
Ink :: ripe avocado, vintage cream; SU! - chocolate chip; Versamark
Cardstock :: dark chocolate, rustic cream, kraft
Embellishments :: simply chartreuse buttons, twine
Tools :: Spellbinders - standard circles large nestabilities (S4-114), wizard


Make sure you check out what the other PTI Designers created for their "Dearest Dad!"


This is my last project as a guest for Papertrey Ink. I had a great time and am so grateful for designing along with those great girls! Thanks so much!
Thanks for visiting!

36 comments:

~kelly marie~ said...

Such an amazing post and tribute to your father. Thank you to him and your family for your service to this country. Lots of love.

Latisha said...

Ashley,
Today I thought about you, and the story of your Dad you shared with me in Arizona. My children and I tonight said a prayer for all of our fallen soldiers, thanked them, and said we would never forget. Your Dad (and Mom) raised a wonderful daughter, and I think you got your love of sweets from him :) Your canvas you made is beautiful, and the pictures of his grave, made me shed a tear. Thank you for sharing this post.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend.
hugs
Latisha

Deborah Young said...

I love this, Ashley. Your post and your projects. Now with my dad, it was chocolate-covered cherries. We gave them to him every year for Christmas until he started having heart issues...then my mom decided he didn't need them anymore. Well, on his last birthday (three months before we lost him), I decided to make him some homemade chocolate covered cherries. First and last time I did that. But I know that he loved them, and that's what counts!!! Thanks for bringing up the memories, dear friend.

Nadine said...

What a touching post today for your dad. The pictures just bring tears to my eyes. Your work is lovely and inspirational as well.

Nadine

Debbie Olson said...

Ashley, your project is touching and perfect. You're amazing!

Tiff said...

What a beautiful tribute! Your creations were truly made from love :) I adore the button band and that cool hanging canvas you created!

Charlene Austin said...

Oh Ash...what an incredible heart felt post. I loved everything about it. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Stef Perry said...

What wonderful tribute to your father. Thank you for sharing such dear memories that are so close to your heart.

I have enjoyed seeing all your contributions as a guest designer for PTI the past month. You have been an inspiration to me for some time and this was another great venue to showcase your wonderful creative talents.

Nichole said...

Bravo!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, Ashley!
The pictures are really touching.
Your dad was a wonderful man, and this is a fantastic way to honor him. Big "thanks" to him and for all that he did!

Els said...

Wonderful card and treat box! And that canvas is just amazing!! Beautiful tribute!!

Unknown said...

Ashley, your post touched my heart!! the first pic is so....dont know what to say...so emotional! I can see how much you love your dad and its great that you are celebration his life!..thank you for sharing this beautiful project with us!

Ann said...

A lovely tribute to your Dad Ashley and what a handsome man he was! I posted about my Dad's war this weekend without even realising it was Memorial Day in the US - we were remembering Dunkirk here in the UK.

Love your project - my Dad has a sweet tooth too and loved treacle toffee which stuck to his teeth! I especially love your use of felt on the box - something I'm really enjoying using again since PTI started the felt inspiration. I have lots of it in my stash from years ago.

Oh and do tell your Mum she looks FABULOUS!!!

Unknown said...

Big Hugs Ashley.

Cassandra said...

Oh Ashley - just beautiful.

Aimes said...

Ashley your project is stunning! I adore the simpliciy of your card - it's so bold and beautiful at the same time. What a wonderful way to celebrate your father's memory - I hope your Mom enjoys that candy!
Hugs,
Aimes
x

Michelle said...

Gosh Ashley...your post made me cry... I didn't know we had this in common. My father was in the Army...in Vietnam....born in 1948....and died in 2005 as a result of the effects of Agent Orange. Father's Day just is not the same now that he's gone. I love that wall hanging you made. I have a picture of my father on the beach in Chu Lai (Vietnam) with his fatigues and his dog tags...I should do something with that...it would be special for me to have....and to share with my kids who never met him. Thanks for the inspiration - really.

- - and your moms is a beauty.

Kim Costello said...

BiG HuGs Ashley such a heartwarming tribute to your dad, God Bless! and your projects are fabulous, the canvas is stunning and your gift is so very special I hope your mum thoroughly enjoyed those chocs LOL HuGs Kim :)

jan metcalf said...

You wonderful lady you! I am sorry your father suffered, what courage he had! I am so glad to have found your blog and will continue to be a fan!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute to your father.

It has been a pleasure to see what you have done as a guest designer for PTI and today is no exception.

I love how you used the woodgrain on the side of your box!

Steph Zerbe said...

This card layout really is gorgeous! Sophisticated and strong. Love that! What a wonderful story, thanks for sharing. Love what you did with the egg box. The woodgrain looks awesome!

BeverlyBL said...

Thank you for sharing your projects on PTI. I have really enjoyed them and finding your blog. I will be keeping you on my favorites. I really enjoyed your story. Thank you for sharing that and your recipes too.

Jessica said...

What a wonderful tribute! I love the canvas you made. Thanks for sharing your heartfelt memories of your Dad.
My Dad has been gone for almost 40 years now, and I still miss him. He's never far from my thoughts. Especially this time of year.
Thanks again, Hugs
Jessica

Robbie said...

Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart and life! I do appreciate all that our servicemen have done for our country, whether they died in duty or not. Our freedom was obtained and kept because of them. Your Mom is beautiful, too!

I love the projects you did. You will be greatly missed on the team but I will continue to follow your blog and beautiful work.

Mariana Grigsby said...

Thanks for sharing all this. Beautiful tribute. Hugs to you and to your beautiful mom! ;)

Vicki Bray said...

Wonderful tribute to your father (what a handsome man). Your mother is sure to enjoy the chocolates and the lovely box they came in. Thank you for sharing.

anya said...

This was a beautiful post about your father, Ashley. The tribute was very touching, and the project you created is stunning! *Love* that card!

Michelle (abzzymom) said...

Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself. I've really enjoyed your creations and am glad that I was introduced to your blog through PTI. I look forward to seeing more.

Kelly S. said...

Such a gorgeous post, Ashley! I am sure he is sooo proud of you, and loves looking down and watching you shine in all of your endeavors! Thanks for sharing bits of your parents with us today, too!

Nancy L. said...

such a beautiful post!! LOVE your project!! I know you still will use PTI and I love to see what you create!!!

Jessica said...

Thanks for sharing a piece of your heart, Ashley!!! It was very touching. The project is perfection at its finest. Excellent for honoring your dad.

Hugs

Lorus! said...

Beautiful projects and beautiful post! My dad was Air Force in Vietnam as well. I'm so proud of my dad and his service to our country and I know you are too. Thanks for sharing!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Thank you for sharing such a personal and touching story. I honor your Dad and all he did for my freedom!

Your box and card are just amazing. You have so much STYLE!!! I am constantly trying to imitate you!

Hugs - from someone whose Dad is also gone, whose Dad was also USAF and served in Vietnam (at the end of his career).

Courtney Baker said...

Ashley this is such a beautiful post and project! Thanks for sharing!

Melanie said...

What a beautiful tribute blog post. I love the photos you shared and the scrapbook page is beautiful. I love the cards and the treat box. Thanks for sharing!

Anthonette said...

HI Ashley,
What a great loving tribute to your dad. I loved the pictures. Your woodgrain card and box are fantastic!

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