From Wooden Hearts to Intarsia Art: A Journey of a High School Valentine's Gift

[rafairchild2]

This is a post I did on my personal site.  I thought this would be a good place to share it.  And in some ways, it is a brag... after overcoming a not so brag from 40+ years ago. This all came to conclusion a week ago when Tara received my gift.

Recently, Tara sent me a photo of the wooden gift I made for her back in High School over 40 years ago.  I think we were sort of boyfriend/ girlfriend back then. 

I was 17 1/2, she was a sophomore at 15 y/o.  But for sure, I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of my teenage self. A painted red pair of hearts cut out of wood? And did you notice, it was NOT my note on the backside.  I didn't even sign it or put anything on the back.  Yeah, uncouth and an amateur at "love".

But as I was looking at the hearts... man, I had a steady hand!  Most likely done on the HS shop bandsaw. Maybe lacking a bit of creativity, but a solid cut! But that burn line!!! Barf-o-matic!

Seriously? A teen's attempt at "love"?

Really? Was that the best I could come up with for Valentine's Day? I mean, I was no Michelangelo, but surely, I could have done better.

Not even my handwriting on the back... Man was I a dummy back then.

But then, as I looked at the photo, another thought popped into my head. Maybe I could redeem myself with an Intarsia gift - you know, something fancy and intricate that would show off my current woodworking skills (or lack thereof).

Now, for those who don't know, Intarsia is a technique where you fit together small pieces of wood to create a pattern or design. It's like a jigsaw puzzle, but with wood. And let me tell you, it's not easy. In fact, it's downright frustrating at times. But hey, if it means impressing Tara 40+ years later, I'm willing to give it a shot.

Of course, before she sent the photo there was a part of me that wondered if Tara even remembered the wooden hearts, I gave her. Maybe she tossed them in the trash as soon as I turned my back. Let's say, back then I was a bit of a putz. Well, one day she mentioned to me on Facebook that her mom had them in storage at her childhood home away in the attic. 

As I looked at the photo and was writing her a thank you note a thought came to mind.  Perhaps she'll appreciate the effort to make her a new, improved gift.

And who knows? Maybe this Intarsia creation will be the thing that makes her think, "Wow, this guy really knows his way around a piece of wood."  

So, wish me luck, folks. I'm off to create more Intarsia, and hopefully make up for my teenage lack of creativity and lack of couth. And if it doesn't work out, well, at least I'll have a good story to tell.

Here is the starting work.  The selection of wood (and this still has two or three more species added), and everything then cut out.

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Edited to add an image of the completed project shipped to Tara.  Yes... She loved it.

 

 

Edited May 16, 2023 by rafairchild2

[ChelCass]

What a sweet story.  How could she not love the owl in a tree.  Very nicely done.  Congrats.

  

[daveww1]

awesome job

[Gene Howe]

Love the story AND the owl.

[barb.j.enders]

Great story and owl.

[FrankEV]

Very nice.  Hope you signed and dated the back of this one with maybe a little private message also.    

[Scrappile]

Oh mush mush!  Just kidding, great story and even greater piece of intarsia.  Well done Romeo.

[rafairchild2]

1 hour ago, Scrappile said:

Oh mush mush!  Just kidding, great story and even greater piece of intarsia.  Well done Romeo.

Just so everyone knows... I am NOT trying to rekindle anything after 43 years.  Just wanted to make that very clear.  I am one-and-done. 

That being said, I have been able to maintain civil communication with a number of ex-girlfriends from my younger years. I count them as friends.  Nice to know one can maintain a friendship for so many years.

[rdatelle]

That came out great. How can she not like it.

[rjweb]

Excellent craftsmanship, RJ

[Peter N White]

Great thought and very well done.

[wombatie]

I'm sure she loved the hearts at the time, they were made with love. 
The owl is awesome, you have certainly come on in leaps and bounds over the years. 

Marg