Friday, June 6, 2008

Show N Tell Friday

Wow!! It's already show and tell Friday again. Where does the week go?
I would like to show and tell a very special cedar chest that I have. This chest was made by my husband's great uncle when he was 82 years of age. It was all made by hand. It is absolutely beautiful. The pictures don't do it justice.

Look at the detail--all hand carved. The wood is gorgeous. I'm sure it took him hours and hours. No flaws either.

I store quilts in it(of course). It smells so good and holds several quilts. The quilt on the left was made by my husband's grandmother.

This is Uncle Fred's signature inside the lid. My husband had him sign it the day we bought it from him for a measley $200.00. He had 9 we could choose from. We were married August 10, 1990--so we bought this about 3 weeks later as a wedding gift to ourselves. We are SO GLAD we did because Uncle Fred passed away in October--a month later. We have one of the last 9 chests he ever made. So blessed.

This is a picture of a picture--sorry so blurry--I tried about 10 times to take it clearer--didn't work. This is a picture of Uncle Fred, my husband and me in 1990. The log cabin we are standing in front of is Uncle Fred's--he built it and lived in it raising a very large family. He died there. This chest is one of my greatest treasures. I have loved showing and telling you about it because it has brought back some wonderful memories. It has pulled at my heart-strings to think about ancestors and the lives they lived. They were so talented and made use of the skills and abilities they were given to bless the lives of their posterity. Thanks for "Listening". Have a fun, memory-filled weekend.
Be Nice to People,
Julie




























22 comments:

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Your hopechest is amazing. And how wonderful that you got your uncle to sign it. What an heirloom to keep and pass down through the family!

Timalee said...

Julie thank you for sharing your special treasure today! Your chest is gorgeous, I hope it will be a family heirloom for you and yours for a long time. Have a great weekend!

Susan said...

What a wonderful piece of furniture!!! But your story and what it tells brought tears to my eyes. So much truth!! You are indeed blessed.
Susan

LBP said...

Wow! That is an amazing chest. What an heirloom to pass on.

Thanks for sharing

Linda

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Julie, how special your chest is! He was 82 when he made that? It is so detailed...just beautiful!

You do have an heirloom to pass down....too bad you don't have 4 of them for all 4 of your daughters! It sounds very special!

Tammy

Vintage Whimsy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vintage Whimsy said...

Ack! I'm sorry. I just left a comment telling you that I thought the chest was beautiful and so was the story about Uncle Fred! I accidently called him Frank and then tried to edit my comment but deleted it instead!

Ginger said...

Hi- I found your blog through someone in the 4 seasons swap. Your chest is beautiful, but cedar, like all woods, secretes oils that are harmful to fibers, so quilts and other textiles should only be stored in the chest if it has a coat of polyurethane on the inside, and then is lined with acid free paper.

Anonymous said...

I love the chest!! I would love to get something like that for my kids to pass on to them!

Barbara H. said...

Oh, my what a treasure! I have always wanted a cedar chest -- I remember my mom's, but I don't know what happened to it over the years. But to have one handmade, and made so well, from someone you love, and to receive it just before he passed on -- this is a treasure in so many ways!

Elise said...

What a stunning cedar chest. This is a priceless piece of furniture because of the sentimental value attached. I am amazed that your husband's great-uncle made it at 82years of age. What a talented man he was.

This will make a wonderful family heirloom that future generation can enjoy for years to come.

Love
Elise

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

What a sweet story!! I can imagine ow wonderful the quilts smell when you take them out. Thanks for sharing!

hugs, Linda

Farmhouse Blessings said...

What a special treasure! It is so lovely.

Blessings,
Lea

Kindra-At Home With K said...

What a great cedar chest. I like it that you have pictures taped on the inside and his writing. What a treasure! We have a cedar chest that my husband's grandpa made when his grandpa was in high school. :) It holds our treasures inside.

Kelli said...

What a wonderful show and tell! Your hope chest is absolutely beautiful and you have filled with with lots of special things!
~Kelli

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful chest....but like someone else said, you will probably want to cover the quilts to protect them against the oils of the wood...I didn't know that and a quilt that was made by my great grandma is damaged after being stored in a cedar chest...just wrap them in a cotton sheet or something like that..
I really like that you were able to get your uncle to sign his work..what a treasure!

Anonymous said...

The chest is amazing! Show us some of the quilts, please =D

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

What an immensely talented craftsman! I'll bet he was a very interesting fellow too... How wonderful that you and your family have such a beautiful, lasting reminder of such a special man. Thanks for sharing, Julie!

Have a great weekend :)

A Hint of Home said...

What a wonderful work of art. He did a great job and at such an elderly age. I'm so glad you chose to get one for yourselves. Thanks for sharing the story.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Your hopechest is beautiful! What a great keepsake to keep!! Love it! Thanks for sharing!

Join me every weekend for "Weekend Decorating" on my blog: http://emsbingy.blogspot.com if you would like to. Hope to see you there!

Have a great night!

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

It is beautiful, and to know it comes from a family member just makes it priceless!!! Have a great week!~Wendy

Marion said...

What a remarkable hope chest!! What an absolute treasure!!!!!