sixteen

Ethan is today. UNBELIEVEABLE. i was going through old scrapbooks the other night, and it's surreal how he's grown/evolved in the 5 years since i created my first scrapbook page. ( him and my artwork- i won't go into detail on how i feel my work has evolved! let's just say... we've come a long way baby! ) my first published scrapbook page was actually on eth. CK's a world of memories.

so, being the eccentric that i am, here is this 'card' i made for eth on his sixteenth birthday. first a little background-  it's amazing how you can give some of the 'toughest' guys a piece of artwork, and they turn to sap. savor it completely. i can honestly say that the men in my family appreciate my art. my boys are like that- they harbor everything that i make for them. they also love family memorabilia. i recently received a box in the mail. it was full of priceless treasures that my grandad collected for years. i went through the box when i was trying to find a concept for eth's card and i was happy to find many things i could use that fit into the turning 16, driving theme. the wallet ( card shell ), the bottom piece of a matchbox car, a SHELL (gas) keychain, small key with GAS imprinted on it, my grandad's old driver's license, and the  photo on the front of the wallet is of my grandad standing next to one of his old cars. on the inside, i put a lot of messages and personal thoughts using book text, and i also incorporated old family photos that contribute to the eth's coming of driving age, and our 'truck' family. eth's namesake, G.William had a trucking company and the photo is one of him standing on one of his trucks, a photo of my grandad washing his white dodge truck MANY years ago, eth and rich the night eth got his own truck. the back of the wallet you can contribute to 'mom's message'.....   because even though we've been through this once already with bobby, it's scarry when your kids start driving and growing up.

i am seriously in love with this card and the fact that i could incorporate important family elements as well.

eth's response "i think this is the coolest one you've made yet" 

for me... i just watched him take every element in. i love it. happy birthday baby!