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JOY of generations

After sharing my new adventure yesterday, I thought I’d share a little story about my mantel.

IMG_3782 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 🙂

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Filed Under: Christmas, holiday ideas

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Gillian Layne says

    November 15, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    Love it! Have you shown this to Donna over at Funky Junk?

    Reply
  2. Richella says

    November 15, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    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. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Marianne@Songbird says

    November 15, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    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.

    Reply
  4. NanaDiana says

    November 15, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    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

    Reply
  5. Anne says

    November 15, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    Oh wow – that makes your beautiful mantle even more special! What a great story. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Salmagundi says

    November 15, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    Wonderful story! That is always the best kind of decorating — things that have meaning for a family. Sally

    Reply
  7. The Old Block House says

    November 15, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    What a wonderful story!

    I hope the fourth, fifth, and maybe further generations will enjoy your “JOY” each year!

    Reply
  8. Funky Junk Interiors says

    November 15, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    This rocks, Gina! Perfectly executed and best of all, one of a kind. 🙂

    Donna

    Reply
  9. Jamie says

    November 15, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    I love that story. Perfect Joy.

    Reply
  10. Simply Bungalow says

    November 15, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Love the story and the letters. Great idea!
    ~Heidi

    Reply
  11. Laryssa Herbert says

    November 15, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    I love it when things come together like that. Such sweet reminders of your family.

    Reply
  12. ❀ⒹⒺⒺ❀@ A Lapin Life says

    November 15, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    I love your ~ JOY ~ it’s so cool and fun looking. It’s a super way to pass down history of your family.

    Dee

    Reply
  13. Honey at 2805 says

    November 15, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    What a great story, Gina! They look wonderful displayed this way!

    Reply
  14. Gwen @ The Bold Abode says

    November 15, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    sniff, sniff…

    Reply
  15. http://findingsecrettreasures.blogspot.com says

    November 15, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    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”

    Reply
  16. Kristin says

    November 15, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    My favorite kind of decorating is using pieces which have belonged to my family for generations. This is truly beautiful.

    Reply
  17. Kerryanne English says

    November 15, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    I loved the ‘JOY’ sign yesterday but now I love it even more because it has family history – just beautiful Gina.

    Reply
  18. Debby says

    November 16, 2011 at 2:11 am

    I love your joy. Such great history as well.

    Reply
  19. maruaya says

    November 16, 2011 at 2:21 am

    Very beautiful… joyful… peaceful… love the colors.

    Reply
  20. Katy says

    November 16, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    Wow, what a great piece! Love it!

    Reply
  21. Aimee says

    November 17, 2011 at 12:46 am

    This is beautiful Gina!!! I just love it when decor and sentiment blend!!!

    Aimee @ ItsOverflowing.com

    Reply
  22. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says

    November 17, 2011 at 2:44 am

    That is just so cool. I absolutely love it!

    Reply
  23. Terri Betz says

    March 29, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    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!

    Reply

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