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There are many people who are not only patriotic, but like to have visual symbols (like the American flag, eagles, Lady Liberty) of the country they hold so dear to their heart.

This is a great gift for someone who has served their country, someone who loves art, someone who loves flags or someone who loves America.

This gift would be even more personal for someone who has Texas or San Antonio roots, since all the headlines are taken from the “San Antonio Express Newspaper” as the artist, J.M. Strawn, was born and ...read more]]> When I saw this American Flag Collage Paining ($140), I was immediately drawn to the uniqueness of the mixed media, the arresting look of seeing news headlines within each white stripe of this flag and the boldness and familiarity of the red, white and blue!

Click to Purchase

There are many people who are not only patriotic, but like to have visual symbols (like the American flag, eagles, Lady Liberty) of the country they hold so dear to their heart.

This is a great gift for someone who has served their country, someone who loves art, someone who loves flags or someone who loves America.

This gift would be even more personal for someone who has Texas or San Antonio roots, since all the headlines are taken from the “San Antonio Express Newspaper” as the artist, J.M. Strawn, was born and bred in Texas.

This gift is a one of a kind so, if you know someone who would love this, you shouldn’t hesitate to get this gift!

Photo courtesy of the artist, J.M. Strawn. If you would like to see more work by the artist, please visit her Etsy shop, J.M. Strawn Studio.

Happy gifting!

You read about it, you hear about it and yet, what can you do?

So, you try to live your life and ignore the problem because you feel helpless.

What if you could live your life and help save the Gulf all at once? You can!

I read Please Login or Register to read the rest of this content. It is free and easy to become a member!

But this isn’t a bad thing! I recommend avoiding things like a “World’s Greatest Dad” mug and anything tie, tool, car or BBQ related unless your dad loves any of these things.

Think outside the box!

Don’t be afraid to buy your dad a gift that doesn’t scream “Father’s Day” because a gift that says “I love you!” is going to be much more pleasing than the traditional Father’s Day fare that places will be rying to sell you.

Do you remember the days when something as simple as a toy was that important to you? Sometimes we forget that we don’t have to buy kids an expensive electronic or video game.  Maybe it is because we are a little out of touch with what is “cool” to a child or maybe all those advertisements for the next big thing sway our decisions more than we realize.  But, as this e-mail exchange between my boyfriend, Alex, and his nephew, “O”, will show – a toy isn’t necessarily just a toy…

Not long ago, I was inspired to write a Toy Tuesday post about Transformers because Alex’s nephew (I’ll refer to him as “O” throughout the remainder of the post) loves Transformers.

The search for the ...read more]]> The answer? When the recipient is seven and it is an all consuming passion!!!

Do you remember the days when something as simple as a toy was that important to you? Sometimes we forget that we don’t have to buy kids an expensive electronic or video game.  Maybe it is because we are a little out of touch with what is “cool” to a child or maybe all those advertisements for the next big thing sway our decisions more than we realize.  But, as this e-mail exchange between my boyfriend, Alex, and his nephew, “O”, will show – a toy isn’t necessarily just a toy…

Not long ago, I was inspired to write a Toy Tuesday post about Transformers because Alex’s nephew (I’ll refer to him as “O” throughout the remainder of the post) loves Transformers.

The search for the perfect Transformer for “O” began with an e-mail from him to his Uncle one day in April…

Dear Alex:

I was hoping you could come here sometime in the summer. And I hope you can bring some of your Transformers along. I don’t care which Transformers you bring along, I just care if you bring some. I am considering that you are my buddy.

Love, “O”

Alex, of course, sent a reply to his buddy!

Hi “O”,

It’s nice to hear from you.  I’m sorry to take a long time in answering.  I have been hoping to be able to tell you that I would be able to come and visit with you this summer, but right now it is not looking like I will be able to.  I hope you are having a nice time in California, and that you are going to have a very fun summer.

I’m going to send you a Transformer for you to play with, so you can know I’m thinking of you.  I hope you like it!

Love,

Alex

This next letter from “O” to Alex is my favorite because it just goes to show how much a simple toy means to a kid! (note that we live in Boston, MA and “O” lives in CA!)

Dear Alex:

If you don’t send us the Transformer we will go to your place so you can give me the Transformer.

When are you sending the Transformer? I want to know when you are sending it so I know when I get it.

How are you doing today?

What kind of Transformer are you going to give me, an Autobot or a Decepticon?

I can’t wait until I get it.

Your friend,

“O”

Case closed.

Father’s Day is tricky, I know.  Sometimes finding a meaningful gift, or heck, finding something they don’t already have, is almost impossible!

Alyna has asked me to write this post to share some of my work, and hopefully help you all to find a special something for that father or father-figure in your life.  Unless noted, all pieces are shipped unframed, but cut to standard frame sizes so getting them framed will be extremely easy and inexpensive. You can pop any of the pieces in a frame as soon as they arrive, and they will be wall-ready in less than a minute.  I photograph ...read more]]>

This is a guest post by Joe Bagley of Papercuts By Joe. He has selected some wonderful gifts for Father’s Day, or any day, to show love and appreciation to a man in your life. Enjoy this post and please, feel free to comment!

Father’s Day is tricky, I know.  Sometimes finding a meaningful gift, or heck, finding something they don’t already have, is almost impossible!

Alyna has asked me to write this post to share some of my work, and hopefully help you all to find a special something for that father or father-figure in your life.  Unless noted, all pieces are shipped unframed, but cut to standard frame sizes so getting them framed will be extremely easy and inexpensive. You can pop any of the pieces in a frame as soon as they arrive, and they will be wall-ready in less than a minute.  I photograph some of my pieces unmounted to show they are really cut paper, but all my pieces are shipped fully mounted to a white background.

For starters, my name is Joe Bagley and I’m a paper artist. I hand-cut my original piece from black art paper, archivally mount them onto white illustration board backgrounds, and ship around the world.  I have my first solo art show coming up this June in Boston, and I will be showing my work at the Westmorland Museum of Art in PA next month.

I grew up in Maine, so the ocean is very dear to me and my family.  Below is a piece I created showing the coast and islands of Casco Bay ($395) in Maine. This very large large piece (24×18) is a great conversation starter and statement piece.  Many people at shows take a couple of seconds to see the islands and shore in the piece, and once they understand it, they usually stare at it for quite a while. It’s fun to watch.  This is a one-of-a-kind fully framed piece and no duplicates will be cut.

Casco Bay Original Papercut

Continuing the ocean theme, these two ship pieces are some of my favorite silhouette designs I offer.  They are cut to order, and take just a couple of days to get in the mail.  I have two designs, Schooner ($40), and a Tall Ship ($45). Both are classic ship silhouettes, and I tried to really capture the beauty of the old sailing ships.  We have a couple of really nice ones in Portland Harbor, and I used to go out with my father and watch the boats while fishing together.

Tall Ship 8x10

For dads with a great sense of humor, I have a couple of more funky designs that may be perfect.  The first is a series of mustache silhouettes sold in a tryptich of three designs: Fu Manchu, Handle Bar, and Dali.  All three are shipped together, and at $20 you get three 8×10 pieces that can easily fill a wall.

8x10 Mustache triptych

For the hip dad, or the guy who loves classic style, I have Penny Farthing (that funny-looking huge-wheeled victorian bicycle) ($25) and the Empire State Building silhouette ($20)  Both would look great on any wall and I PROMISE they don’t have a papercut of either already.

Penny Farthing 8x10

Empire State Building 8x10

Okay, I hope these peaked your interest in gifting paper art for Father’s day.  I welcome you to browse my full shop at Etsy.com, and here are a few more selections specifically singled out as great Father’s Day gifts (including the pieces above). 

One last thing, I lost my father to colon cancer in 2001 when I was 16.   Cherish the time you have with your father, and be sure to recognize those who have been father figures in your life.  Thanks for your time and give your dad a hug for me!

~Joe

Please note: This post was written while I was dealing with some family medical issues, so if you like these items, understand that you may be unable to have them shipped in time for Father’s Day. How do you deal with this? Simple: print out a copy of your purchase for dad and past the picture into a card and let him know he is getting something quite special in the mail! Want a different idea for gifting any of these items belatedly? You may contact me and I will help you think of a creative way to gift this present, even if it won’t be there by June 20th! (for free!)

Enormous thanks to Joe for writing this wonderful piece! I also lost my father to colon cancer. This Father’s Day will be bittersweet for me, as it will also be my birthday, and I wish I had more time with my own father. Cherish the time, indeed! Celebrate your father and choose a gift that he will love, not just one that will fulfill an obligation.

Happy gifting!