Father's Day Gift

[luvalwaysMandy]

I need ideas on gifts for my DH. Mostly from my son.

For DD 2 years ago I bought a t-shirt that says "Daddy's Girl" on it. I bought it in the biggest size I could find so it's like a 15/16 or whatever that biggest size in the girls section is. Anyway I take a picture of her in it every year and have it framed.

I wanna do something a little similar from DS but I don't have any great ideas.

Do any of you have any suggestions?

[genndan100502]

does you DH have a favorite team/sport? maybe get a jersey and do the same thing but title it like father like son?

[luvalwaysMandy]

does you DH have a favorite team/sport? maybe get a jersey and do the same thing but title it like father like son?

OHHHHH good idea! I'll have to price jerseys!

[TX Sweetheart]

I have no ideas, but I just wanted to say that your idea that you did for your daughter is absolutely adorable!

[luvalwaysMandy]

I have no ideas, but I just wanted to say that your idea that you did for your daughter is absolutely adorable!


Thank you!

[tgr68]

Looking for ideas here too. DD's first birthday falls on Father's Day. We are having her party the day before because I don't want to take anything away from the guys we'll will be celebrating with that day or vice-versa! Anyway, I love what you did with your DD!

[neenbean]

Thanks for sharing that fabulous idea of the progressive pictures of your DD!

Some other photo ideas we did last year... not nearly as creative, but appreciated by the recipients. ;)

I had a photo mouse pad made with DD and her daddy a few hours old- DH loved it.

Sent FIL a mug with a pic of DD and DH together- drinks his coffee in it every morning.

Had photo coasters made of DD with me, DH, my sister and my stepmother for my father. He loves them! They are big on coasters. :p

All were quick, easy and not too expensive from www.shutterfly.com.

Anyone else have new ideas for dad, grandfather or FIL??? I am at a loss this year and need to get cracking! :)

[Winter Biscuit]

I think I am going to have my 2.5 year old DD paint a picture on canvas that my DH can take to work and hang in his office. If you go to Michael's or any other craft store, you can buy a decent size wood-framed canvas (like 14 x 20 or something) for less than $10. You don't need fancy paints - the cheap bottles that cost 59-99 cents work just fine. You can pick whatever colors you want.

My DD has 2 canvas paintings hanging in her room above her bed that she is SO proud of. (We chose the colors so they would match her room, but she did everything else herself.) I haven't decided yet if i am going to hand her the paintbrush and let her paint whatever she wants or if I am going to be more structured and have her put her handprints all over it with some type of heading that says "Best dad, hands down."

[twinnyme]

For DD 2 years ago I bought a t-shirt that says "Daddy's Girl" on it. I bought it in the biggest size I could find so it's like a 15/16 or whatever that biggest size in the girls section is. Anyway I take a picture of her in it every year and have it framed.

This is a GREAT idea! I may just have to steal it, though this will be our second Father's Day! :D

It also immediately made me thought of those "Big Guy/Little Guy" t-shirts that they have for fathers and sons. Here's a picture:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/wackyplanetshop_1897_167538126

and a http://www.wackyplanet.com/big-guy-little-guy-tees.html. I've also seen "Little Buddy" and "Big Buddy" ones. Maybe you could take the photo of DS in the little guy/buddy shirt, and give DH the big guy/buddy one...?

(There are probably other options out there. This is just the first one I found when I googled it. I'm sure I've seen it in a catalog somewhere; just can't remember where.)

As for me, I have no ideas yet for Father's Day. I'll have to read more through this thread....

[luvalwaysMandy]

I think I am going to have my 2.5 year old DD paint a picture on canvas that my DH can take to work and hang in his office.

I haven't decided yet if i am going to hand her the paintbrush and let her paint whatever she wants or if I am going to be more structured and have her put her handprints all over it with some type of heading that says "Best dad, hands down."

This is a really cute idea! My DH doesn't have an office but a great idea anyway. Maybe I could do it for another occation.

BTW...Thank you to everyone else that liked my idea. I don't mind if anyone steals it!:)

[luvalwaysMandy]

Also I just thought I would mention that I did buy a jersey of my DH's fav team for DS. It's similar to what I do from DD so I like that. I actually found a great sale too!:)

[tgr68]

I love the painting idea Winter posted! Besides, we've been looking for some artwork/photos for our living room! ;)

[Chimichanga]

Looking for some ideas for this year. :)

My DH doesn't have an office (at this time) and we won't have a lot of extra cash to spend on it.

I like the picture idea, but it would hang in our house and we already have a ton of DD stuff up (not that more isn't great, but it wouldn't be *special*)

Any thoughts?

[Parrothead]

Hi, everyone -

I am trying to think of a gift for DH from me and/or DD for Father's Day this year. She is one...

Thanks!

[Tenny]

I'm doing this for DH's birthday that is later this week, but it could be a Father's Day gift also.

I have a picture frame with 3 openings. I'm going to get DS's hand prints and put them in the top opening, DS's footprints in the bottom openings, and a picture of the two of them together for the middle opening. DH is always saying he needs things to hang up in his office so I thought that this might be a good idea.

[Medako]

I got the idea here, but last year I took a picture with DS holding the letters D-A-D-D-Y and then put them in a 5 opening frame. One of the wonderful ladies here took my photos and turned them black and white and only left the letter in color. He loved it and everyone at his office thought I was the most creative and thoughtful mommy ever.


http://xce.xanga.com/67aa33504013061191885/z41020329.jpg http://x30.xanga.com/ac0804e523d7861192036/z41020453.jpg http://x39.xanga.com/0ec8031a2611861192542/z41020700.jpg http://x5f.xanga.com/30ba0351d163161192723/z41020958.jpg http://xb4.xanga.com/de38001b04d6861193223/z41021219.jpg




Father's Day Gifts (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19099)

[Ohana]

I'm doing sort of what Medako mentioned. I'm having the girls hold "D A D" though. I'll have 3 pictures, the first with DD#1 holding a "D", the second with both girls holding an "A" and the third picture with DD#2 holding a "D."

And I'll also get him this decorative football helmet he's been coveting for years.

[jh124]

Last year, we got DH a really nice watch to commemorate his first Father's Day. This year, dunno.

[whitlockan]

Medako LOVE THAT what a great idea!! Where did you get those letters, great array of colors and patterns. That is great, now I wish he wasnt 1 month old only I LOVE that sooooo much!! Does not get any cutter than the 2nd photo with what I call "pouty" face. DS does that when he wants nothing but attention.

[Medako]

whitlockan - I picked up the letters at Hobby Lobby (D-A-Y) and then got some basic scrapbook paper to cover them. I put glue on the letter, pressed it onto the back of the paper and cut around the letter with an exacto knife. It took a little time, considering I had to reapply new paper on the "D" 3 times, but it wasn't too hard.

You could do the same type of thing with a 1 month old...just put him up against different blankets/backgrounds and put the letter next to him.

I'm going to take new pictures again this year and refill the frame. I think it became my every year gift. :)

[Parrothead]

Cute ideas. Keep them coming!

[ihearttx]

whitlockan - I picked up the letters at Hobby Lobby (D-A-Y) and then got some basic scrapbook paper to cover them. I put glue on the letter, pressed it onto the back of the paper and cut around the letter with an exacto knife. It took a little time, considering I had to reapply new paper on the "D" 3 times, but it wasn't too hard.

You could do the same type of thing with a 1 month old...just put him up against different blankets/backgrounds and put the letter next to him.

I'm going to take new pictures again this year and refill the frame. I think it became my every year gift. :)

Sorry to bother you with another question, but do you remember where you found your frame? I can only find frames that are for 2x3 pictures and I was hoping to have the pictures a little larger than that... Thank you!!

[LRL]

ihearttx- I bought my frame at Kohl's. I did three photos last year for D-A-D. They are 5x7.

[Medako]

strangely enough, after searching all over town for a 5 opening frame, I found one at a store called "Walls". It was a brown frame and I sanded it down and painted it black (to match the pictures). It held 4x6" pictures (the frame itself was probably 8x30"-ish)

I've also seen accordian type 5 opening frames - maybe somewhere like Kohl's.

[twinnyme]

ihearttx- I bought my frame at Kohl's. I did three photos last year for D-A-D. They are 5x7.

I did this, too, and I'm pretty sure (IIRC) that I got my frame at Kohl's, too. I used a five-frame opening and had it say "DADA" and then just a picture of DD in the fifth one. I'll try to come back with a picture later.

ETA: (the last photo is of her holding a card she "made" him)

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/th_100_7158.jpg (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/100_7158.jpg)http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/th_good1.jpg (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/good1.jpg)http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/th_D-good4.jpg (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/D-good4.jpg)http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/th_Copyofgood21.jpg (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/Copyofgood21.jpg)http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/th_card.jpg (http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/melissakelleher/card.jpg)

My plan for this year is probably some sort of pottery thing and maybe some sports-related thing.

[Renrel]

I took DS to a pottery place and made DH a coffee mug with DS handprint on it. DH really likes it, though he fears breaking it. We made trays with the same theme for grandma's for mother's day.

photo cuff links or tie clips.

father/child swim lessons

A child seat or trailer for a bike if DH is into biking.

Matching shirts. DH loves it when he and DS wear their hawian shirts that almost match. Just enough to be cute without being cutisy.

[Medako]

for the DAD pictures...

I'm wondering if you couldn't get a long narrow frame (maybe the skinny poster type frames) and then have a mat made to fit at somewhere like Hobby Lobby or Michael's. They do different types of custom framing and have large selections of matboard, so I would think it wouldn't be too hard, right? You could have the openings as big as you'd like and as many as you wanted.


Another possibility, pick out your frame and then cover the backing with your choice of papers (scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, posterboard, etc) and then just place your pictures on top of it - evenly spaced and secured. Once the pictures are secured and put behind glass, you'll never be able to tell that they're not "matted" unless you look real close.

[ihearttx]

Ok, I will go to Kohl's first to check it out, then if not, I will probably just have the frame store do a custom mat for me. Thanks for the help!!

[Medako]

6 opening frame (http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_multiple1.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=383 730829&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=438586971&bmUID=1178741703820) from Kohl's

3 opening frame (http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_multiple0.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=183 250397&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=438586971&bmUID=1178741905839) from Kohl's

4 opening frame (http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_multiple0.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=216 307869&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=438586971&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=3440897&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=102027239&bmUID=1178742144356) from Kohl's

3 opening (5x7") frame (http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_vanilla0.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=3736 02751&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=438586213&bmUID=1178742230586) from Kohl's

3 & 4 opening frames (http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_multiple0.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=463 82381&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=438586213&bmUID=1178742326389) from Kohl's

[LexyLou]

We bought DH photo cufflinks from:

www.kathylo.com

They are adorable and super fast shipping. DH wears cufflinks often at work so it's perfect.

We're also going to get him a heart rate monitor...lame but he'll be very excited. He's a runner and a soccer player so these type of things excite him.

[lauren f s]

For DH's 2nd Father's Day I made a onesie for DD to wear that said "I love my dad". DH loved it and she got more compliments that day while we were out.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e323/laurenballew/fathersday.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e323/laurenballew/onesie.jpg

This year he wants a new Ipod. Not nearly as cheap as a cute onsie ;)

[ihearttx]

Another five opening frame:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=12874278&RN=410

[BerBer]

bump (stupid reason)

[Parrothead]

Anyone seen a 3 opening frame where the openings are 2x3?

[Parrothead]

Where is the best place to buy letters?

[kimthebride]

A round of golf - I secretly emailed his friend to get info on the best course I can get him on, and plan to go there to buy a round + a gift card for lunch so he can go and enjoy the day.

Shutterfly Photo Book with the 'story' of how DH becaqme a daddy. It will have pics of he & I as kids, our wedding day, me pg with each kid, him holding each kid for the 1st time, the kids together, etc etc...

Letters
You can find them at craft stores, kid's furniture stores, eBay, just search for "wall letters" as if you were spelling your kid's name on a crib.

D-A-D
I did this last year in a reversible 3-window frame. On the front I put DS holding each letter, then on the back there was a pic of DS, DH & DS, then DH his Dad & DS.

[twinnyme]

D-A-D
I did this last year in a reversible 3-window frame. On the front I put DS holding each letter, then on the back there was a pic of DS, DH & DS, then DH his Dad & DS.

What a fabulous idea!!! I think actually that I'll do this this year. I was going to do the D-A-D thing again (each year, to show growth) but I like this twist - it'll be something different. Thanks for the idea!

ETA: Kim - if you come back, can you tell us where you got a swivel frame?? Kohl's seems to have a big selection of frames.

Where to get letters - I remember looking in the various craft stores already mentioned, and I think I ended up buying the letters at one of those places. I had meant to paint the letters white but just covered them with scrapbook paper. But I have since seen them at Walmart - the letters were larger and already white.... I might use those this year.

[Toonces]

Last year I got DH a picture of DD in a nice frame - for his desk at work, and a watch with an inscription (I think it was from Red Envelope (http://www.redenvelope.com)).

This year I'm giving him wallet magnet frames - one from each DC, and a recliner/glider.

[kimthebride]

ETA: Kim - if you come back, can you tell us where you got a swivel frame?? Kohl's seems to have a big selection of frames.
I am almost positive I found it at Target. I didn't even realize you could put pics on both sides until I got it home.

[twinnyme]

I am almost positive I found it at Target. I didn't even realize you could put pics on both sides until I got it home.

Thanks!! It's about time for me to make a Target trip anyway....

[Bloomwood]

A hammock with a hammock pillow that says "dad" and a hand print plaque with prints of our DD and dog (she's our "first born").

[DianeCourt]

These gifts are from DD: I made DH an 18 month photo calendar on Shutterfly for his desk at work. I picked mostly pictures of him & DD. With free shipping & 20% off, I got a great deal on a desk organizer personalized with DD's photo from Shutterfly, too.

From me, he's going to get a gift card for greens fees + cart rental at his favorite golf course. I might even throw in some extra for a few beers. ;)

[Jen B.]

Its going to be DH's first father's day. So I'm creating a memory book on Walgreens photo website. Its basically going to be his first year of fatherhood since DD was born shortly after Father's Day. It has borders, and backgrounds to choose from and you can add captions. So I'm taking all the pics of DD and DH together since the day she was born and making a book out of it. I'm very excited!!!!!!!!! I just need to upload some pics I have saved onto their site. I hope to be done by the end of the week. :)

[twinnyme]

All such great ideas! Bloomwood - I love the hammock and pillow idea - will need to keep that in mind for the future.

I did my D-A-D photo shoot tonight with DD. Here are the photos I'm thinking of:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1406/535220469_d07f72fbba_m.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1074/535220493_c58c73cd9a_m.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1399/535220473_8a89d57555_m.jpg

I also have this "A" photo: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1270/535220513_ed0baf3947_m.jpg

I also realized as I was taking the pictures that she really calls him "Daddy" now, so I might go get a five-photo frame, buy a "Y" and try it again. Last year I did "Dada" and I really want to try to stick with what she actually calls him. (And if I have enough time, I might also buy a "P" and do a "Papa" one, too, for her grandfather.) But I'm pretty happy with these, so it'll really just come down to time. I'll also have DD make him a card.

I also bought DH the Departed DVD and a book called Moneyball (http://amazon.com/o/ASIN/0393324818/ref=s9_asin_image_1/002-9440781-2718418?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=01Q0FFJ2VWVPARYT18QC&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=265623401&pf_rd_i=507846) about baseball.

[PinkMartini]

It's DH's first father's day, so I got him an apron from ShutterFly with a picture of DH & DS on it (with a "Worlds Greatest Dad" border around the picture) and a personalized BBQ tool set with his name and "Grilling Master" on the handles... We got a new grill recently, so I thought it'd be nice to get him some stuff for it :)

I was going to make him a calender with pictures of DS on it, but I figure I'll save that for a christmas gift this year, and be able to put pictures of future DD on it as well.

[Toonces]

Melissa ~ I love that idea and esp LOVE those pics of B!! I couldn't see them in LJ for some reason. Great idea! :cool: :D

[twinnyme]

Melissa ~ I love that idea and esp LOVE those pics of B!! I couldn't see them in LJ for some reason. Great idea! :cool: :D

It is a great idea - but I can't take credit for it. I stole the idea from someone on here last year - it's fun to do it annually. Weird that you couldn't see them on LJ, though - I used Flickr instead of Dropshots like I usually do - does that make a difference? Anyway, I took some more P/Y photos this morning, and posted them there, so try again. :p

[LRL]

Melissa- those photos are SO cute! We did ours this past weekend, and I love the way they turned out. I took them on the day that DS started walking- he did not want to hold onto the letters for anything, but we managed to get some shots. Last year was challenging as well... I'm starting to see a pattern. Hahaha.

[twinnyme]

Melissa- those photos are SO cute! We did ours this past weekend, and I love the way they turned out. I took them on the day that DS started walking- he did not want to hold onto the letters for anything, but we managed to get some shots. Last year was challenging as well... I'm starting to see a pattern. Hahaha.

Thanks! Yes, it's fun to do, huh? Today at the store we walked past the aisle where we bought the extra letters last week and DD said "no more letters." I gave them to a friend yesterday just to keep them out of the house so I wouldn't be tempted to take any more pictures! But the frames came out cute; I put them together today.

[boilermaker]

I am so glad I found this thread. I am totally stealing the picture idea as well. Thanks!!!!

[Bloomwood]

ugh, now you have me thinking of doing the d-a-d-a photos. I just made alphabet wall letters for her playroom so I already have them...

twinnyme - your daughter is so cute, but my favorite part is the band-aid on her elbow. That is just so telling of her age and personality.

[twinnyme]

twinnyme - your daughter is so cute, but my favorite part is the band-aid on her elbow. That is just so telling of her age and personality.

Thanks! So true, huh, about the band-aid, and it's an Elmo one at that. :D I actually took a bunch more photos in two more different outfits, so I'm not sure if I used the band-aid photo in the end....

I'm so grateful to whoever posted this D-A-D photo idea in the first place, I don't remember who it was... because it's such a great annual tradition. I can't wait until SHE really gets into it herself someday.

[Medako]

I finished touching up our DADDY pictures last night.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/JackD1.jpghttp://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/JackA.jpghttp://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/JackD2.jpghttp://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/JackD3.jpghttp://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/JackY.jpg

[twinnyme]

Beautiful, Medako - absolutely stunning. I love how you do the B&W with the letter in color. It really stands out! Your son is adorable, too - I love the "A" photo with his hair sticking out; really cute.

[Medako]

Thanks! I was pretty pleased with the way they turned out. When we were taking pictures, I wasn't so sure. :)

[lcarlson90]

Medako - Your pictures turned out great. What program did you use to get the letters in color?

I am doing the same project for my DH. I wanted to spell out Daddy because that is what DS calls him but I could only get him to cooperate long enough to spell Dad. Oh well...

[Medako]

I used a free program called paint.net (www.getpaint.net) to do the coloring. I know you can also do it in Photoshop if you have it.

[sparkle&shine]

I stole the picture idea but I am definitely more impressed with everyone elses! Here is how mine turned out:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1291/554110912_689fdb6efb.jpg?v=0

[twinnyme]

Very nice, Sparkle&Shine! Is that football paper on the first "D"? I think that alone makes your photos fabulous. Very much thinking of DH on that.... Maybe next year I'll do football, baseball, and basketball paper!

[sparkle&shine]

Thanks twinnyme. It is football paper! DS is also wearing a Jersey in the A picture but you cant tell. I kind of wanted to combine the big shirt thing with the Dad thing.

Here are the pics up close:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/550395343_080e1c6ed2.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/550227618_8ddf8ee447.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/550395375_21d3cacffe.jpg?v=0


I can also swap out for these:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/550395401_cc9181992d.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/550395329_e311217e1a.jpg?v=0

[twinnyme]

Here's my completed D-A-D-D-Y frame - it had been wrapped until this morning! :)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1377/559657736_fb540717b7_m.jpg

I couldn't find a 5-across frame so I just went with this.... DH seemed to like it this morning!

Yesterday, I also bought DH this book: Just for Daddy (http://www.amazon.com/Just-Daddy-Salina-Yoon/dp/0843121793/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9440781-2718418?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182010412&sr=8-1)! I had seen it at B&N a couple of weeks ago and could have sworn I bought it but couldn't find it when I got home, and then I saw it at the supermarket yesterday morning. She had fun doing it!

[BooeyJ2]

Great job gals! :)

I took pics on Thursday (so that i'd have less time to keep things hidden hehe).
I'll probably do the letters again next year, I just didn't have time to paint or re-glue paper onto the letters this time. But hell, this was a MILLION times easier than trying to get her to hold those damn letters again anyway! LOL. Next year she'll be 3, so I think the "sit still, hold this and smile" thing might be a lot easier then


I just threw some pics in a frame this year.

This was the main pic......
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1300/558998158_8af6c7ba82.jpg?v=0

[Sophia]

This is what we did. He loved it. :)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1180/558771899_5b9efc8ce5.jpg?v=0

[boilermaker]

I forgot to take a picture of the finished product, but will upload the letter pics tonight to post. DH loved the "project" and I kept the letters for an annual tradition. And this is why I love CC..I never would have thought of this myself!

[boilermaker]

As promised, here are the letter pictures I took.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1121/578112457_9fbd8faad2.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/578112317_fa512eb116.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1213/578112391_f3e680dc94.jpg?v=0

Midway through the photo session, she got hungry :)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1248/578112329_1563470aff.jpg?v=1182437822

I ended up with about 50 pictures total and they were so cute that I gave DH the rest of them in a little photo book.

[twinnyme]

Very cute, boilermaker!! I love the huge colorful letters - and the photobook idea is a good one. I haven't even shown DH (yet) the probably almost 100 photos I took in order to pick 5... :rolleyes:

[Medako]

Father's Day is only about a month away. I thought I'd bump this up to give ideas to those who are looking, and for those who have come up with the perfect "something" to share. :)

[whitlockan]

I'll play. I orginally was going to get a sterling silver super nice business card holder for DH with DS photo squared on the front and center of it. Unfortunatly the company my photographer uses (isabelle chase jewlers) the supplier no longer has the holders so instead we found another place (Kimbra Studios) its not as flashy or elegant as I would like and the photo is way to big but to throw in your pocket for day to day use I dont mind. He does not know anything about it at all so it should be exciting!

The story behind the image....its DS in DH's uniform from college (minus the osterigh feathers; for being part of battalion staff; they wouldnt let him buy those), DS has a provisional appointment for 2029, we live and breath that school so this is VERY fitting...oh and DH works for a company that was orginally owned by an alumni; they have since been sold but he works with a ton of them still.

I ordered it in B&W (here is our image thrown on the website picture to see how it would look):
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/whitlockan/bshbw.jpg?t=1210778344

The sample my photographer ordered is in color:
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/whitlockan/bsh.jpg?t=1210778581

If I dont like we will swap, I am not sure which one I like better.

[Medako]

what a cute picture! I think I like it best in B&W.

Now, I need a little assistance. I took some pictures yesterday for our DADDY frame, and to my surprise, I got more than 3 decent shots with the letter D. Now I'm having a hard time choosing the 3 I like best.... so, help me! :)

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/DADDY067.jpghttp://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/DADDY068.jpghttp://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/DADDY069.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/DADDY070.jpghttp://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/DADDY071.jpg

**the picture quality is obviously a lot better in the full sized photos**

[peachtree123]

I like the first 3 shots the best Medako

[twinnyme]

Whitlockan - nice gift!

Medako - I love the 1st, 3rd, and 5th the best. Your son is so cute - I like seeing the differences from last year. I take it you're doing just "DAD" this year, too? You're on the ball with this this year. I like the paper you chose, too.

I bought my letters recently and need to do the photos - but I need to incorporate two kids this time so it should be interesting. I think I'm going to have DD1 do the "D" letter photos and DD2 do the "A" letter photos and do "DADA" again as I did the first year. I like to have the photos reflect what the kids are currently calling him that year (thus, "DADDY" last year and I would have done "DAD" this year but now I have DD2, too). I'm going to cover the letters with sport paper, as Sparkle&Shine did last year, I think.

I also had the girls take photos at school yesterday (only DD1 goes right now but they allowed me to bring DD2 into the photo as well) in Red Sox outfits for a photo for DH.

These two photo gifts will be the main gifts and then I'll maybe get him a Starbucks gift card or something, too.

[Medako]

I'm actually doing DADDY this year. I have the 5 opening frame that I've used the last couple of years and we'll just refill the pictures. If I did just DAD, I'd have to get a new frame, and that's just not a task I want to take on right now. :)

If it would ever stop raining here for a day or so then I'd be able to get the A and the Y pictures done, but at this rate, it might be the weekend before I'm able to even attempt them.

[1_mommy]

definetly the first one!

[Chimichanga]

I decided to do a Dada frame this year too :) I didn't do one last year, so we'll just start it this year. I'd also like to do Poppa for my dad. I think he'd get a kick out of it.

In addition to the pictures, I'm getting DH a spa gc. He's a SAHD and I know he'd like to relax a bit. I got him one last year and he LOVED it!!! We're getting my dad a leather coat. He's been such a huge help with helping us finish our basement. DH actually was the one who suggested getting him a nice coat.

[BusyBee21]

Maybe I didn't read far enough back in the posts, but where did everyone get their letters from? Arts & Crafts is so NOT my thing, and I never would have come up with this on my own--GREAT idea, ladies! Just need a little help with the letters....

thanks! :p

[Chimichanga]

I found mine at WalMart. I'd imagine Hobby Lobby or Michaels would have them as well.

[BusyBee21]

I'll try WM & Michaels this weekend--thanks!

[Medako]

I got my first set at walmart (smaller sized), I got this year's letters at hobby lobby. If you're going to Hobby Lobby or Michael's, don't forget your coupons!

For some reason I had a really hard time finding scrapbook paper that I liked this year. I ended up using wrapping paper - and I think I liked it better. It was much easier to cut with the exacto than the scrapbook paper!

[manatee]

Hi all, I'd like to do the DAD pictures also. Such great ideas! I have Photoshop CS2 on my computer but have no idea how to use it. Can someone tell me how to do the DAD pictures where you leave the letters in color? Thanks!

[twinnyme]

I've started to take my pictures and let DD (3yo) decorate the "A" with stickers. I may need to re-do it a bit after she goes to sleep some night. :o No good ones yet but I have plenty of time. In the meantime, I came across today this Sesame Street idea (http://http://www.sesameworkshop.org/parents/activity/article.php?contentId=54280&&) that I thought might be a cute card to go along with the frame - I can use some of the "rejected" photos and even let DD put it together herself.

ETA: I have found the letters at Walmart and also at the craft stores (A.C. Moore, Michaels, etc.).

[Pine Tree]

Is there any way to do the DAD photos (b and w with colour letters) in the paint program?

[Medako]

to do B&W pictures with color letter in Photoshop -

* Open the picture you want to use.
* layer > duplicate layer
* in the palette bin, select the duplicate layer (aka background copy)
* in the tool bar - enhance>convert to B&W. I always select the "portrait" option here.
* using the magnetic lasso tool, outline the letter you want left in color (you can also do this in portions if it's easier. ** I find it very helpful to magnify the area you're working with.
* Once you have an area selected that you want left in color, select the "move tool". It will show a box around the area.
* press the delete button on the keyboard and the area should turn to color.

**** basically, what you are doing is removing the color from the top B&W layer and letting that portion of the color layer show through.

* once you're finished with the recoloring, flatten the image (layer>flatten image) and save.

[Medako]

to do B&W picture with color letter in getpaint.net program -

This is a little more time consuming, but it can be done.

* open the picture you want to use
* at this point, it's much easier if you magnify the letter as large as possible to make it easier to work with
* using the lasso select tool, carefully outline the letter. (this is what is time consuming since you have to follow along the lines very closely). But remember, if your picture is magnified very large, tiny little oopies won't be able to be seen once the picture is scaled back down to printing size.
* once your area is selected, Edit> invert selection (everything EXCEPT your letter should be slightly off color now)
* Then click Layers> Adjustments> Black and White

That should turn everything outside of your selection to B&W.

**if you want to do smaller portions of the letter at a time instead of having to outline the entire thing at once, or when you're trying to turn the inside of a letter to B&W, then you will want to skip the "invert selection" step. But be sure what is inside of your selection area is what you want changed to B&W.


I hope those instructions make sense. If anyone has questions, I'll try to help.

[manatee]

Medako, thanks so much for answering here and in the photoshop thread. I responded there as well. I have CS2 and there is no "enhance" function in the toolbar. I can't seem to turn just one layer into B&W and leave the other layer. Can anyone who has CS2 help? Thanks!

[twinnyme]

I haven't gotten any really good photos yet for my D-A-D-A frame, but I've decorated two sets of letters - well, my DD1 (3.5) decorated one "A" - I used pinky orange paper and had her put scrapbook stickers on it that had to do with baby/little girls. She did the A and I did the D. She got a little sticker-happy. So I then got more letters and did a baseball/Red Sox theme.... I think I'm going to use those letters but work on getting more photos. Then, in the end I can put together a Shutterfly photobook of all the "trial" photos. :)

But I loved the idea someone had last year with the sports letters so I went with that. I got baseball scrapbook paper and then put on Red Sox stickers - I did let DD1 put on the stickers again so she felt involved but I directed it more this time!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/2524895075_59342e115a_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/2525749466_29b18615cb_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2524912585_0b70630aaf_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2525743118_e23172d9ba_m.jpg

The minute I told DD1 we were doing the letters for daddy she asked if we could go to the park - that's where we've taken most of the pictures the last two years. Amazing she remembers!

[ManteoChik]

What do y'all get YOUR dad??

I'm having a hard time figuring out something for my dad. I'm tired of getting him books, or fishing related items, or aviation related things (since he is also a pilot) - and he HATES getting clothes as gifts..lol.

[Pine Tree]

Thank you so much Medako!! Very kind of you to take the time to write out the directions for paint.

[ellidew]

ManteoChik - What about an emergency weather radio... the kind with the hand crank. I know it's pretty cheesy but it's what i'm getting dh for fathers day because he likes to listen to the baseball games on the radio and we don't have a good portable radio to take into the yard or camping with us, etc... They are battery operated or hand crank so we'll have it in case of an emergency but he'll be able to use it on a regular basis too. Some of them come with the weather band too so if there is inclement weather and your dad is without power he'll have access to severe weather warnings. Just a thought! :)

I've been looking at these: Eton Radio (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=eton+radio&x=16&y=19)

[ellidew]

I just bought Dh's Father's Day present. He's been complaining that he doesn't have a little portable radio to listen to Cardinals baseball games in the garage, backyard, while painting or doing other various chores, etc... He just wanted a cheap portable radio but instead i bought him a good portable hand crank emergency weather radio :)

It runs on 3 AA batteries or you can crank to charge a NiMH battery or AC. It gets AM/FM/TV/NOAA Weather radio, built-in LED flashlight, cell phone charger and emergency siren. It will be perfect for setting on the ground while gardening or plugging it in while in the house. We'll have it for camping and in the case of an emergency and since it gets the weather broadcasts when the satellite goes out during a storm we'll still be able to listen to the weather just in case. I have to admit, i'm pretty proud of this gift! I think it's perfect!

It's an Eton FR300 Emergency Crank Radio and I decided to buy it in (Cardinal) Red.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e144/ellidew/redradio.jpg

I think he's going to love it!

[Chimichanga]

My dad is the guy who will buy himself anything he wants, so he's hard to shop for. My sister and I (and my DH) decided to buy him a leather jacket. He recently bought himself his dream car - a Corvette. So we got him a Corvette leather racing jacket. it's thinner, so he can wear it during the summer; when it's chilly at night when he's driving around. I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

[Dan's*Girl]

DH likes anything sports, or anything he considers manly, like power tools. So this year I am getting him a new weed wacker for our ever growing yard.(this is the first summer in our house)
DS will probably make him a finger painting or something, and my MIL and I are going to SAMS to get big slabs of ribs so DH and FIL can BBQ together (something they love to do together) for dinner that night.

We got my dad 2 tickets to the baseball game in town that day.

[twinnyme]

So, I think I'm done with my DADA frame for 2008. It's not perfect but I don't care - I'm not as free with my time this year! I may try to still replace the first "A" photo of my older DD but we'll see. I would like to get at least one photo of her with her hair down but if it doesn't happen it doesn't happen....

Here it is:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2552539582_911a1eff9a.jpg?v=0

See this CC post (http:www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19099&page=7) for 2007 photos and this post for 2006 photos (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19099&page=3).

I also did another photo for DH:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/2547443273_3c47818dcd_m.jpg

And I'm getting him a Color-Your-Own gift card from Circuit City for DD to decorate:

https://ssl.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/enlarged/ffi/EC.FFI.CREATE307.JPG

I haven't decided yet what to get my own father. I asked my mother for suggestions yesterday. He (and FIL) will get a version of the Red Sox photos of the two girls.

[dizylizy]

My MIL and SIL and I are sending the guys on a golf outing. even getting them a cart! typically they walk... sending my dad a card with pictures of the boys.

[Medako]

I'll print this for my dad..

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/papaw.jpg

Now, my real challenge.... I'm going to do the same type of thing for FIL. I have several pictures of DH and DS together, and I want to use those - but I'm having a hard time coming up with a saying or phrase or title... I need some type of text, but I've gone braindead... anyone have any ideas?

[BusyBee21]

I just have to say THANK YOU!! to whoever came up with the D-A-D-D-Y (or in my case, D-A-D-A) frame; my husband cried when he opened his present, he was so touched! I'll post a picture of the finished product tomorrow! Awesome idea!!