In Stitches

Posted by Sarah, Editor-in-Chief

If you are ever looking for the real-life Clark W. Griswold, he is alive and well and living in Rhode Island. He is my dad. In addition to various Vacation-like debacles over the years (yes, a few involving holiday lights), my dad is known for making grand statements. These proclamations usually occur when he is in the company of his beloved family or close friends. And no matter how sweet the sentiments, they almost always incite ruthless heckling from said beloveds.

In search of a good Father's Day gift a couple years back, I decided to immortalize two of my dad's most profound -- and profoundly ridiculed -- declarations on needlepoint pillows (clearly, we Blueprinters are really into needlepoint!). I grabbed a pad of graph paper and a book on needlepoint alphabets (you can also find basic alphabet designs online) and started stitching. It took me 'til Christmas to finish them, but hey.

This first remark seems innocuous enough ... until you learn that he uttered these words on a guys-only golf outing, sitting on the clubhouse veranda with his buddies after 36 holes. Yikes.

The second one is, well, so mind-blowing that it defies explanation. All I can say is that it happened on a trip to Hawaii while he was watching the sun set, and it caused the entire Humphreys family to collapse on the ground in hysterics.

These pillows reside on a pair of club chairs in my parents' family room -- cherished reminders of, you got it, special times.

Comments

[nutmegg]

My father-in-law fancies himself quite deep and eloquent, and is given to making sweeping statements such as "Bread is Amazing". I think you've just given me an excellent Christmas present idea!

[TeenSleuth]

Great story! I relate ... my dad is quite a "Clark" too. I think I'll lift your idea and do one with some of my dad's wisdom embroidered on it. Let me set the scene: Me and my best friend are 15 and on vacation with my family in Panama City Beach, Florida. We beg dad to let us go to the (in our minds) legendary Club La Vela; he refuses. His explanation: The world is big and round. Oh, of course! Now I understand.

[Amy]

That cracks me up, Sarah. Glad to finally peruse this blog. Congrats on the new May/June issue - great stuff! - A new subscriber

[Jess]

Aw, how great! This is a heart-warming and adorable story. I love your dad! My dad's pillow-quote would be, "Well, you want me to be comfortable, don't you?" I leave the rest to your imagination.

[susan]

I love those pillows...and every time I see a pillow with a saying that I just have to have, for some reason the store is closed or for some reason I don't get the pillow! I've looked at so many, but I love the idea of it being a DIY project. Much more personal and very special.

[Diana]

What a clever idea! I've been mentally collecting some doozies over the years that might be perfect for this project.

[Sarah]

Jennifer:
That is such a good tip. Next time I make one of these I'm going to branch out from the standard sampler font. Thanks!

[Jennifer]

Here's one of my cross discipline discoveries (graphic design/cross-stitch):

Do a google search for pixel based fonts (some are free like Dafont.com) and the letters will transfer easily to cross-stitch since they are formatted to fit square pixels!

[Jenny]

I [heart] needlepoint! Where I grew up, it's all the rage to make needlepoint belts with personal little details--perfect graduation gifts if you can finish them in time! Anyone know of online sites with fun needlepoint patterns?

[becky]

That is such a cute idea! I keep meaning to take up knitting, but I forgot about needlepointing - that would be a heck of a lot easier since I used to do it as a kid. Your dad sounds like a riot,and I can't wait to copy off you and make some gifts like these!

Becky

[Abby]

My dad is Clark Griswold as well....I just wish he had a better sense of humor about it so I could make cute needlepoint pillows for him!

[Patia]

That is so cute! Dad sounds like quite the philosopher.