creativity
Happy New Year from Designer Daddy, Depeche Mode & DMK
Early on in Designer Daddy’s existence, I learned about DMK — a Depeche Mode cover band from Bogatá, Columbia. If you’ve never heard of them, do yourself a favor and check out my Q&A from a couple of years ago with lead singer/video producer/dad extraordinaire, Dicken Schrader. He and his kids Milah & Korben (the “D,” “M,” and “K”) have added another Depeche Mode classic to their growing catalog, a whimsical cover of “But Not Tonight.”
The production and special effects are certainly more involved than their early, simpler videos. However, it still maintains the innocence and joy this family still seems to have performing together.
I thought the lyrics of “But Not Tonight” and DMK’s accompanying video were a fitting soundtrack as we reflect on the end of one year and the dawn of the next.
The stars in the sky
Bring tears to my eyes
They’re lighting my way tonight
And I haven’t felt so alive
In years
The moon
Is shining in the sky
Reminding me
Of so many other nights
But they’re not like tonight
Wishing you and yours a bright, peaceful, magical, Happy New Year.
Much love,
Brent
Designer Daddy
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Be sure to check out Designer Daddy on Facebook & Twitter for lots of exciting/silly/sappy stuff in the coming year!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Power Lunch Back-to-School Giveaway
That title’s a mouthful, ain’t it? Yet it’s certainly befitting my epic team-up with fellow Dad Blogger and Lunchtime Super Power, Lunchbox Dad! We’re serving up some fun and creative ways to prepare school lunches — plus a ginormous giveaway to help you make lunchtime awesome!
One of the unexpected perks of blogging has been all of the interesting, talented and just downright nice people I’ve met. Whether online or hanging out in real life, I’ve found support and inspiration from so many of my dad blogging bros. One whose creativity I’ve admired for a while is Beau Coffron, AKA Lunchbox Dad. Check out his web site or Instagram to see what I mean — he puts so much fun and imagination into the meals he makes for his kids. It’s a scrumptious sight to behold!
I had the pleasure of meeting Beau in person at a conference in July. While we were there, we did some brainstorming over beer and Happy Meals for ways to combine our lunch-related passions into a cool giveaway for our readers.
DooDad of the Day: Pig Notecards …and a Giveaway!
Real-life, actually-printed-on-paper, delivered-by-a-human-being correspondence is a rare and wonderful treat, dontchathink? But if you’ve ever had even a hint of an original thought in your head, you dread the idea of darkening the doors of your local convenience store to pick over the post-apocalyptic disarray of syrupy, clichéd, annoyingly musical greeting cards.
So why don’t you take some of these perkily porcine Pig Notecards off my hands?
These blank cards are perfect for party invitations, get wells, birth announcements, thank yous, you’re welcomes and more progressive Bar Mitzvahs. And also meat-themed baby showers. (Seriously, I once sold a set to someone for that very purpose.)
THIS LITTLE PIGGY NOTECARD SET
• 2 each of 5 different styles
• High-quality printing on uncoated, heavy card stock
• Comes with 10 envelopes in 5 matching colors
• Guaranteed to produce a squeal (or make a tummy grumble)
$15.00 + shipping/handling
To pay with Paypal, send your name, mailing address, quantity (number of boxes of 10), and PayPal email address to daddy (at) designerdaddy (dot) com. Or just hit the CONTACT button up there on the right side of this page.
Take a peek at the 5 precociously punny designs… and scroll to the bottom to get in on some free swine swag!
Proud Papa Gallery of Greatness 2014
Father’s Day has come and gone, and yet those of us who are dads are still dads, and still have dad stuff to do. One of the most important is instilling self-confidence and a sense of achievement in our children. Stereotypes dictate fathers only appreciate the physical accomplishments of their children — especially for their sons. But the best dads appreciate the artistic as well as the athletic — and man have I found a great bunch of art-loving dads for this year’s (POST) FATHER’S DAY PROUD PAPA GALLERY OF GREATNESS!
Welcome to our virtual fridge, take your time, and please visit the gift shop on your way out.
Please note that many of the images can be enlarged if clicked on. So click and enjoy!
Artwork credits key:
Title of work
medium
Artist name, age
Father of artist (links to their website/blog)
Artist’s (or artist’s dad’s) description
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THE CLASSICS
Monet
tissue paper, construction paper
markers on paper
Chris, 5
Carter Gaddis
Based on the Water Lilies series.
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SuperLunchNotes: The Power Of Dad…and Oral Hygiene
Some of my favorite moments as a dad are ones I don’t even see. Like my son’s face when he finds the note I put in his lunch every day. I make them either the night prior or before he gets up the next morning; I then sneak them into his lunch bag, and send him off to preschool with Papa. I’ve heard plenty of compliments about them — from Jon’s teachers, his classmates, his classmates’ parents. And every afternoon when I pick him up, I ask Jon if he liked his note — you know, as a way to strengthen his memory recall and attention to detail…
So even though I don’t observe my son’s daily discovery, or get to see his friends huddled in anticipation of each new character, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve been doing this for nearly a year now, and while it’s sometimes a chore to keep coming up with new ideas, it also forces me to think of something positive to say as I send him out into the world each day. It’s my little way of staying connected. A way to pass down my vast and vital knowledge of superheroes and pop culture. And it’s a way to use my powers as a Dad for good!
For this Father’s Day, I was included in a campaign for Oral-B called Power of Dad. One of the components was to post photos illustrating my paternal powers or other special fathering moments. I decided instead to dedicate a week’s worth of SuperLunchNotes to the campaign, while offering some much-needed reminders to my son regarding oral hygiene. I’m setting my #PowerOfDad to stealth mode.
Below are the notes, each captioned with a feature of Oral-B’s newest toothbrush, the Oral-B 7000 Black…and also a plug for their awesome floss.
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WEEK 43: June 2 – June 6, 2014 (Oral Hygiene Week)
Hulk | The Count | Wonder Woman | Venom | Princess Leia
Indicator® bristles remind you to replace your brush head every 3 months (sooner, if you’re a Hulk), or once they’ve faded halfway (or turned green, if you’re a Hulk).
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R.I.P. M.A.
Maya Angelou • 1928-2014 • Rest In Peace
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I initially published this drawing without words. How is it possible to honor someone so eloquent with any language of my own? But as I thought about Maya Angelou, I recalled a special memory I wanted to share.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was published the year I was born, and from my earliest memories it sat on my parents’ vast bookshelves amongst my minister Father’s religious books, my English professor Mother’s literature, the World Book Encyclopedias. Long before I read Caged Bird, I remember asking my Mother about it, as the title (and cover) intrigued my young mind. She painted only the broadest strokes of the plot, but in the process I received my first lesson about racism.
The book is set in Arkansas, birthplace of Ms. Angelou, as well as both my parents, and home to nearly all my relatives. I lived there between the ages of 2 and 7, and one of my frequent playground pals was Felicia, a black girl. Racism was confusing when my Mother explained it then, and I dread the confused look on my son’s face when I explain it to him.
I’m thankful to Maya Angelou for finding beauty in the midst of horrible humanity, and for teaching generations (and generations to come) what it means to have hope.
Mother’s Day Crafts: Eggceptionally Easy Tulip Garden
If you’re looking for some quick and easy Mother’s Day crafts to do with your kids this week, here’s one that fits the bill on all counts. Plus it recycles all those plastic eggs you’ll probably end up throwing out before next Easter.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• large plastic Easter eggs (long halves only)
• green straws (forage through your trash or recycle bin and wash; or snag a few extra the next time you’re at everyone’s favorite coffee shop)
• foam paper or construction paper
• Elmer’s glue (if you’re working with kids)
• hot glue (if you’re in a hurry)
A Taste of Wedding Cake
I’m back from a weekend of weddedness, and wanted to pop in to say how truly blessed I am… with a wonderful (LEGAL!) husband, a precious son, devoted family & friends — and an awesome outpouring of love and well-wishes from all of YOU out in Internet-land! Seeing your myriad of comments, likes, tweets and all-around cyber-support contributed to what was pretty much a perfect day.
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There are photos and details and heartfelt reflections to come, however today I shut my brain and body off to reboot. But I wanted to at least give you a little taste — of our wedding cake!* The Daddy & Papa bears (which are salt & pepper shakers) topped the cake at our commitment ceremony 10 years ago. As it was in a church and more of a formal affair, they were dressed in white top hats and bow ties. Our wedding this past Saturday was more about home and family. We had it in our backyard and were a little more casual, so after hunting down a small bear to represent JJ (and painting on some eyes, ears & nose) I made them all neckties out of ribbon and felt to match the actual colors we wore.
And oh yeah, the bottom layer of the cake was vanilla, the top layer was pumpkin, and it was ALL delicious.
More to come…
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Hungry for additional fun and feels? Follow Designer Daddy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
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*Cake created by Fancy Cakes by Leslie, Bethesda, MD
SuperLunchNotes: Fire Week!
In case you’re new here and wondering “WTF are ‘SuperLunchNotes?'” Well, my son started preschool last year, and every day I’ve put a note in his lunch bag featuring a doodle of a superhero. You can check a bunch more by visiting the SuperLunchNotes category on this site, or follow me on Instagram @SuperLunchNotes, where I post them daily!
Is it hot in here, or is it just me? Welcome to FIRE WEEK!!!
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WEEK 34: Mar 31 – Apr 4, 2014
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SuperLunchNotes: Umm… Full Face Mask Week?
This past week was kind of all over the place. By Sunday night I knew Monday would be yet ANOTHER FRAKKING SNOW DAY, and Thursday was an already planned school closing for “teacher inservice” — which I think is just teachers sleeping in. Not that they don’t deserve it, but let’s just call it what it is.
So on Tuesday I cranked out an Iron Man and figured this would just be a short week of random, non-connected notes. But I came to realize I couldn’t NOT do a theme. After finally doing the oft-requested Lord O’ The Sith, I considered “Armor Week” for a bit — but I needed a DC character, and only Thor or Rhino came to mind. Then I noticed both Stark and Skywalker also have creepy eye slits in common, and landed on the Full Face Mask theme. Weak, I know, but still pretty cute I thought. Okay, creepy cute.
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WEEK 32: Mar 18 – Mar 21, 2014
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Iron Man: 3.18.14
Can I tell you how hard it was to not have Iron Man say “TALK TO THE HAND?” But then I pictured JJ running around school throwing shade and thought better of it.
