A Special Christmas Gift

Christmas is nearly here...are you ready?  It's been a laid back Christmas here, and I really enjoy it that way! Today I wanted to share a very special Christmas gift that my husband and I made for our children this year!

You might remember my fun spindle pumpkin from fall.  

Well, a few of the spindles came from the panels of our children's crib. 

That got my mind going...I wanted to use the crib spindles for something special. The lovely Jenny Lind crib was used 

for all three of our children, starting 45 years ago.

My husband removed all the spindles...some were broken, 

and many scratched up, from years stored in the garage rafters.

I thought these would make a perfect spindle Christmas tree!
You can find lots of different styles on Pinterest. 

Viking Man cut the spindles in graduated sizes...

it was easy with the spindle style, to just go down a link. 

He also built a backing with leftover tongue and groove beadboard, 

and topped it with rustic lath for framing. It was glued and nailed,

 and strong picture hangers were added to the back.

I gave the frame a wash of white paint, and touched up all of the spindles with dark brown paint.  Then I arranged the spindles on the board, and used one for the trunk. I used wood piece spacers between the spindles to get even spacing.  Then, I used wood glue to attach each spindle to the board...leaving the spacers in place.

When the spindles were dry, we used our brad nailer to attach them even stronger.

We made one for each of our two sons and daughter, and one for ourselves, too.  We signed and dated the back with an explanation of what it is, too...just in case someone wanted to know in the future.  I'd like to find photos of each of them in the crib, and put those on the back, too!

We already gave it to them...so they could use it this year...and it was a sentimental gift, to be sure.  A lovely keepsake of long ago, but only yesterday.

I find as I am older, I am much more sentimental and nostalgic...especially at Christmas.  I think of times gone by and loved ones far away, and those visited only in my memories now.  This gift was a gift of love and life traveled.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas as we celebrate 

the coming of our savior Jesus Christ!  Alleluia!

Until next year...