After sharing my new adventure yesterday, I thought I’d share a little story about my mantel.
I didn’t even realize that my JOY came from 3 generations of Mr. SCC’s family until I was talking to Cha Cha yesterday. She’s a sucker for all things sentimental, so we just started talking about the 3 letters and where they came from.
Since I “discovered” the letters in reverse, I’ll share them that way 🙂 Mr. SCC found the “Y.” We needed a ton of little sticks for a twig topiary (I’ll share that later this week), and while we were out walking (before his lovely vacation in le hospitale), he found this big branch with tons of little twigs. I clipped them all off and realized that it made the perfect letter Y.
The “O” is actually a wire spool that was used to hold welding wire, from Mr. SCC’s dad. He sent it to my house years ago with an old extension cord on it (which died a few months later), but there was something so cool about the spool itself that I just hung it up in our barn and thought, “I’ll figure out how to use that someday.” Well, someday came this year 🙂
The “J” was originally an old plow handle from Mr.SCC’s granddaddy – one that his dad had put up in his tool shed way back in the corner. That shed is like the mecca of beautiful junk. When I need something purdy & rusty, that’s the place I head to first. I figured that he’d have a jewel hidden in there, so we dug around, and I was right. It hadn’t been a plow for years, but the handle was still in beautiful shape, and perfectly chippy. His dad took a slice off of the bottom (which is now the top), and then screwed it onto the crooked part.
And so, my friends, we have a 3 generation piece for my mantle. Kinda cool that it just happens to reflect my favorite word amongst my favorite season. Love it when life works out that way. Oh – and the fact that it was all free… well that’s just icing on the cake 🙂
Love it! Have you shown this to Donna over at Funky Junk?
Gina, your “JOY” is just perfect! The three-generation story is wonderful. We have a great old photograph of my husband’s grandfather plowing his fields–with a plow and a mule. We both come from poor families, and Jack’s grandparents were the poorest of all–but somehow they managed to get a photograph every once in a while. I think that photo of his grandfather with the plow is one of the things that has motivated Jack the most in tough times. 🙂
Oh how wonderful. I already thought that was just about the most original mantel I have seen in a long time. But to hear how it come about makes it even better.
Gina- What a perfect thing to have for the Christmas season..or anytime for that matter. I love how all the pieces came together! xo Diana
Oh wow – that makes your beautiful mantle even more special! What a great story. 🙂
Wonderful story! That is always the best kind of decorating — things that have meaning for a family. Sally
What a wonderful story!
I hope the fourth, fifth, and maybe further generations will enjoy your “JOY” each year!
This rocks, Gina! Perfectly executed and best of all, one of a kind. 🙂
Donna
I love that story. Perfect Joy.
Love the story and the letters. Great idea!
~Heidi
I love it when things come together like that. Such sweet reminders of your family.
I love your ~ JOY ~ it’s so cool and fun looking. It’s a super way to pass down history of your family.
Dee
What a great story, Gina! They look wonderful displayed this way!
sniff, sniff…
Love it! I love junk art and if it a “story” I love it even more! Great Score, and very creative to come up with the “JOY”
My favorite kind of decorating is using pieces which have belonged to my family for generations. This is truly beautiful.
I loved the ‘JOY’ sign yesterday but now I love it even more because it has family history – just beautiful Gina.
I love your joy. Such great history as well.
Very beautiful… joyful… peaceful… love the colors.
Wow, what a great piece! Love it!
This is beautiful Gina!!! I just love it when decor and sentiment blend!!!
Aimee @ ItsOverflowing.com
That is just so cool. I absolutely love it!
Love it! Joy is my daughters middle name! You inspire me to “make my own ” joy for her! Her birthday is in January so maybe Mothers Day! Thanks for the inspiration!