Sunday 4 September 2011

Fathers’ Day Finish

Today, the first Sunday in September, is the date we commemorate Fathers’ Day here in Australia.   A day to celebrate our Dads, Stepdads, Grandads, Nonnos, Pa’s, Daddys, Pappys, Papas, Padres, Pops or whichever name you’d like to call your Father or significant man in your life!

I designed this “Good Things” stitchery (which, btw,  you can download for free for your own use from my sidebar!) to celebrate my Father In Law, a strong Italian man who loves both his garden and his fishing (not to mention his food and wine….and family!).

Now my FIL, who is in his late 70’s, has had a stroke quite a few years ago, and his memory is not like it used to be.  He is always referring to his “Brainbox” as he calls it……his diary, where he writes every little detail down in case he forgets. He brought out his little diary the other day to refer to some notes he took down about a joke he just HAD to tell me, but thought he might forget the details of….and promptly couldn’t find the notes as he’d written them on a piece of paper and stuck them randomly in the pages…..he was so relieved when he found them!!!! He even writes on backs of envelopes stapled together, and puts them ‘somewhere safe’  but forgets where he’s put them when he’s looking for them later! 

So I thought I’d put my stitchery to good use and created a notebook cover for a notepad where he could jot down all his thoughts and have them all in the one place.

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There’s a holder for his pen so he doesn’t lose it and the ‘button’ to close it, is even a sinker!

Inside, there’s a pocket,004

and a ribbon to hold his place.006

I used Alexander Henry “Caitlin Stripe” on the cover because I thought it looked just like the waves, and  Henry Glass “Daisies and Dots” for the lining and pocket because, well…..they just looked like his sinkers!!!

I must give credit to Craft Passion for the notebook cover tutorial and pattern.  I did make some modifications as I used a different type and size of notebook and my cover design was different but basically, it was the same.

Now, all that’s left to do is:

  1.   wrap it up and take it to its intended recipient     and……
  2. add it to my list of OPAM finishes for 2011….my first for September!

Have a wonderful Fathers’ Day wherever you are.

Sugary hugs

X Wendy  :O)

6 comments:

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Wendy, that is just fantastic...great words...LOL...my DH would love this one...

Jan Maree said...

What a great job Wendy and very thoughtful. He is sure to love it and maybe more importantly, use it!

Allie said...

Oh Wendy darlin' that is an AMAZING gift - you are the most thoughtful dil ever! It is gorgeous and I know he will love it!!!

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

The notebook sounds like a great idea and is sure to come in handy.

Marilyn said...

It is so lovely that your FIL wants to share his jokes and special thoughts with you. That notebook just may become a wonderful book about a wonderful man and his life.
Have a lovely week, my Friend.
Hugs,xx

rosie said...

What a lovely story Wendy.. I miss my FIL, and can relate to the notes, after having worked in aged care!!