Fathers

With Father’s Day on the horizon, my thoughts have naturally turned to my wonderful father…the man who’s given me…everything.

A few weeks ago, my mother asked me to make her something to display for Father’s Day—something to commemorate our fathers…here’s my first installment…

If I were keeping this for myself, it would go into my heritage album, of course…but I think I’ll frame it for Mom…and I know exactly where she’ll put it…

My idea was not just to focus on my own father, but on his, as well…

I love this young portrait of my father…such a handsome young man…just starting out in life.  What a perfectly amazing husband and father he became…I could never imagine a better one. 

A skilled businessman who still commutes between Los Angeles and his home in Utah each week for work (his boss won’t let him quit!)…but one of his greatest qualities, I think, is his quiet, loving service given to others…an example to all in his family…

His father--my dear grandfather—was such a wonderful influence in my life…but his greatest gift to me was that I always knew how much he loved me…

Another youthful portrait—long before his father and grandfather years—full of hope, full of life…a farm boy who grew up to be a businessman, a builder, a wonderful help and example to so many…

And his father…Asahel, the farmer.  A quiet, hard-working, loving husband and father.  I chose to portray them all when they were young on this page…such handsome men…so easy to see the resemblance between them in these portraits…

I love layering my pages…something about depth and texture I just love…

The vintage diamond pattern paper and the old journaling sheet are from Crafty Secrets’ new  “Vintage Paper Patterns” CD (it will be available VERY soon!)…

My daughters assured me that a lovely crinkled seam binding bow would be inappropriate here, so I went with a simple bit of ribbon and one perfect vintage wooden button…just right.

Vintage photo corners stamped on Kraft cardstock are found in Crafty Secrets’ gorgeous “Photo Studio” stamp set  (one of my favorites!)

And this fabulous pocket watch image is also from the new “Vintage Paper Patterns” CD.  I covered the watch face with Glossy Accents & cut out another watch frame to add some depth…almost looks real, doesn’t it?!

{the pretty flourish stamp at the bottom of my page is also from Crafty Secrets’ “Photo Studio” stamp set…}

Three of the most wonderful men…all three born in the same small Arizona town of Snowflake…my father and his father were even born in the same house there…

We’ll be visiting that beloved little town in a few weeks.  I’m so looking forward to revisiting those places where my fathers walked for so many years…from baby steps to prankish boyhood steps to a man’s confident, purpose-filled steps…all in that quiet little town…

…more stories for other days…

So much I could –and will--say in the future here about my father, but for now, I’ll just say…

Thank-you, Dad…I love you.

Julie

LiveJournal Tags: Father's Day,Clayn Riggs Smith,Rudger Grant Smith,Asahel Henry Smith,Crafty Secrets,heritage scrapbook