Wednesday 19 May 2021

90 years young!

My wonderful and so young at heart 'Uncle Frank' is 90 years young tomorrow (how did that happen?!) and I really struggled with ideas for his card. In the end, I used a stamp set that's saved me a few times in the past and seemed so perfect for him as he likes a wry smile:

I used:

- white DL card, tent style

- backing paper from a 12" x 12" Studio Calico paper pack appropriately called 'Snippets' so kindly gifted to me a few years ago by a blogging friend - thanks B! x

- trimmed the paper to just smaller than the card front and set it aside

- then stamped the numbers and sentiments onto a piece of white card, using the Misti, Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a really handy set of stamps by Woodware called 'Numbers'

- was going to paper piece the '90' but it just felt a bit messy when I'd fussy cut the numbers in readiness, so I coloured it instead, using a (perfectly matched to the backing paper) red Faber-Castell Polychromos pencil

- trimmed the sentiment/numbers strip and backed it with a piece of black card to show - just a narrow strip at the top and bottom of the sentiment piece

- added it to the patterned paper then glued it all in place using Collall All Purpose Glue - finished!

I had a couple of false starts with the stamping - used a new black ink Memento 'Tuxedo Black' pad - and forgot how lightly you need to use them when they're 'fresh'. Also did the background patterned piece twice as the first one didn't have enough red in the pattern where I'd cut it.

I've written here before about Uncle Frank and his late wife , the sweetest ever Auntie Alice, who were in fact my own parents best friends many years ago in Germany. When Mum and Dad 'ran away back to England', leaving me aged 16/17 at boarding school, they had to appoint guardians for me. 

Alice and Frank were their immediate choice and as as they weren't due to leave Germany until after I'd finished my final year at school it was just meant to be. Their task was to step in if, for example, a signature was urgently needed for something medical. Or, we kids were evacuated due to anything untoward happening (the Cuban Missile Crisis had not long ago happened - showing my age there!) and plans were in place to disperse 600+ children from the boarding school on the North coast of Germany overnight.

Plus, I spent half term breaks with them where they lived in Hanover, Germany - too short to return to the UK those days although always great fun and they were so very kind to me. Bearing in mind they didn't have children of their own, it must have been a bit of a shock having a teenager land on them - who couldn't usually see much beyond her fringe. Frank has subsequently confessed that he longed to take a pair of scissors to it ☺ Goodness me, good job he can't see my fringe right now!

Alice used to spend time baking, with me avidly trying to help - I always remember her with such fondness if I bake a lemon drizzle cake. Her orange drizzle cake would be topped with chocolate frosting and to this day I've never made another one. Why aim for perfection when you've already had it - but I do a lemon drizzle cake (no topping) instead.  Plus Frank and I probably wrecked their record collection by playing them at 45rpm, rather than 33rpm - to make them sound more trendy and rather like chipmunks on something akin to drugs! Such happy days.

We had to go to the NAAFI to restock my toiletries, writing paper and (ahem) certain personal items. Frank always made himself scarce for the 'girlie stuff' but did reappear for the 'tuck box' goodies selection process.

He really was such a sport - and still is. Most days I get a message on FB with a 'funny'. This is the one that arrived today, Tuesday:

No description available.

And finally, this is me, with Alice and Frank in their Aberdeenshire back garden, a good few years ago, a photo I treasure so much:

My beloved surrogate parents - and I'm so very grateful to this day for their love and kindness. Have a wonderful day - my dearest Uncle Frank - and here's to the 100th Birthday telegram in 2031!



27 comments:

  1. What a sweet story on your aunt and uncle. Great card for him too. How lovely to have those memories about them. I hope he gets 10 more great years and y'all can celebrate his 100th. I love the photo and the beautifully manicured lawn. [Bunny]

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  2. Fabulous card for Uncle Frank, Di. I so enjoyed reading your post, what wonderful memories of a special couple. xx

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  3. Oh what a fabulous fun card Di, and an equally fabulous story. Thanks for sharing this heartwarming account, you should write a book! Xxx

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  4. A great card Di and I'm sure Frank will think so too.

    You have lovely memories of Frank and Alice - a super photo of the three of you too.

    Kath x

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  5. Hugs to you Di for having such a beautiful lot of memories and sharing them with us all. Happy Birthday to your uncle and I hope he has many more. VCheers Maurs xxx

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  6. This is a really super card, something a bit different and so lovely to hear the back story as well.

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  7. Ooh Di what a lovely card it’s absolutely perfect for your uncles 90th birthday love the snap crackle & pop l feel it myself now 😂 and the photo what a treasure lovely memories l am sure enjoy your day xx

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  8. A fantastic card Di and what wonderful memories you have of your youth too.

    Sue xx

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  9. Thank you for sharing this precious memory Di - they are very special people for you and must have been so loving to have taken you in like that!
    Love the card - that is a beaut!
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  10. Hi Di the card you have made is gorgeous. I love the story you have shared. It is so nice to have people like that in your life. I too have a lovely uncle Frank. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  11. How sweet. Happy birthday to Uncle Frank.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  12. This is so original!! What a great card for your uncle. You have great memories and I always say: those who have greeat memories live twice! So true!!
    Lia xx

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  13. Beautiful card, Di, and thanks for sharing the stories, too xoxo

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  14. What a wonderful post Di. Uncle Frank will love that card for sure, such a clever design xx

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  15. A Wonderful and clever card Di, I'm sure he will be thrilled with it, (who wouldn't?) What lovely memories you have of your life with them.
    Faith x

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  16. No one can ever take away the love of family who cared for you and watched over you when your parents couldn't be there. Great photo and a great card, and it just so happens that a dear friend of ours is turning 90 today - the 19th of May! It's a small world after all filled with 90-yr old memories :)

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  17. What an amazing time you have had Di, Happy Birthday to your dear uncle

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  18. How many memories of your young ages, so lovely!! And a photo to treasure for sure! Your card for your uncle is so much fun, I'm sure he will laugh! :) Happy Birthday to him!

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  19. Great card for a major milestone birthday. Sweet you have him in your life for so long.

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  20. What a great post, especially had a lol with the snap, crackle and pop image. A really great stamp so suitable for lots of age milestones.

    Kath x

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  21. A great card and love the design Di. Hugs, Carol S.xx

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  22. Such a creative card and perfect for the occasion, so glad you shared your memories and the picture!

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  23. What a lovely story about your Uncle Frank and Auntie Alice and how they cared for you at that time Di, and what a great photo of the three of you, and a super fun card which will make him smile I'm sure. He obviously has a great sense of humour and I think that 'snap, crackle and pop has been happening around here for a while now...lol. x

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  24. What wonderful memories of your "surrogate parents" and such a great photo! Your Uncle Frank will love his card - good for him reaching the great age of 90, using FaceBook, keeping in touch with humour!

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  25. Fabulous 90th birthday card for a very special person. Lovely story. Hope he had a good day. Interesting to see a pic of your younger self too. Xxx

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  26. Viv, this is a perfect card to celebrate someone who evokes such fond memories! Love your use of the numbers, quite brilliant in fact!

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  27. Such a lovely card Di and obviously made with great love. I really enjoyed reading about your memories of Frank and Alice and the photo is wonderful. Vicky xx

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