leaving a legacy?

[GrampaJim]

As the years of scrolling march on, I was wondering how my grandchildren would remember me.  I want to leave them one last project and decided the large eagle by Judy Gail Roberts would be perfect.  Over the past few months I completed one for each and have them safely tucked away.  Someday when my wife and I are gone, and my sons are emptying out the house the will find the 6 big boxes and instructing for who they are for.  Here is a pix of the last one and a pix of the boxes each one is in. 

I have no plans to quit scrolling, but being 70++ I know we have no promise of tomorrow.

[Peter N White]

Eagle looks stunning.

[jerry walters]

What a beautiful legacy for your grandchildren.  I hope those boxes are not opened for a long time.

Jerry

[rjweb]

beautiful work, RJ

[Richard Hotchkiss]

Jim, what beautiful work and such a nice gift for the grandchildren. Wishing you many many more years of happy scrolling.

[Scrappile]

That is a good one!  And to me. turning 80 is short order. A good subject.  I have no idea what my kids/grandkids will have or care to have for remembering me.  I have several boxes of projects but who knows if or what any of them will want.  And really, does it matter as long as they remember me and say "he" /me was a wood worker?  Maybe if I am lucky they will throw in " He was a good woodworker.  I will smile from wherever I am!

[kmmcrafts]

Beautiful work!! I have a few of my fathers old scroll sawn items.. One being a wedding hearts with my wife and I's name on it and our wedding date. However it fell off the wall a few too many times and I ended up having to make it from another type of wood that is more sturdy. He had made it from oak and it likes to break along the grain too easily. 

Anyway, I have to say the most favorite things I have that he made is Christmas ornaments.. Every year at Christmas time we decorate the tree and it's as if he is here in the room with us as we dig out the ornaments and hang them on the tree. The other things I have hang on the wall year round and I guess they sort of get forgotten about so to speak but when I get the ornaments out.. just a special time of the year and remembering those loved ones that are no longer with us.. 

Here is a photo of the hearts I mentioned.. NOT Mine.. this is one I made for someone but this is what I was talking about. They are somewhat fragile even though it's 3/4" thick wood..  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Nice sentiments and ideas. I have very little family left so not sure where my stuff will wind up. But over the years I keep giving away both scrollsaw stuff and now tons of pens. Just gave my sister a gift for her new home she just moved into. I wonder if I will be remembered on any forums I belong to. Maybe a time or 2 my name will come up, good or bad. 

[Hawk]

This is really a cool idea! If I had grandchildren I'd be looking for some boxes!  Very nice though!

Chris

[MarieC]

Jim, excellent idea and your eagle is beautiful!  The white is sooo white against what I guess is walnut.  Lovely work!

Edited February 2, 2024 by MarieC

[barb.j.enders]

That is a lovely cutting you have shown.  

While it seems like a great idea, but why wait?  I would be gifting them now so they can appreciate it with you.

[GrampaJim]

9 hours ago, MarieC said:

Jim, excellent idea and your eagle is beautiful!  The white is sooo whi  e against what I guess is walnut.  Lovely work!

Thank you.  I used Aspen for the white, yellowheart for the beak and talons, walnut for everything else.

[GrampaJim]

1 hour ago, barb.j.enders said:

That is a lovely cutting you have shown.  

While it seems like a great idea, but why wait?  I would be gifting them now so they can appreciate it with you.

Why wait - because the youngest is still in high school.  Besides I remember cleaning out my parents place when they passed, and I would not want to deny them the same fun (sarcasm)

[Liz Weir]

That's a cool idea! I love the eagles - intarsia is something I definitely want to try when I get more skill on the scroll saw.

1 hour ago, GrampaJim said:

Why wait - because the youngest is still in high school.  Besides I remember cleaning out my parents place when they passed, and I would not want to deny them the same fun (sarcasm)

My mom passed 2 weeks ago and I'm barely starting to go thru the crap... er, stuff  she accumulated. In addition to what's in the house, she has a huge storage unit that is so full you can barely get in the door and some of it is stacked to the ceiling! Christmas village houses - dozens and dozens of them. Cookie jars, ditto. And OMG clothes and shoes. She called herself a collector; I think hoarder might be a better word. I have no idea what to do with it all. 

Edited February 2, 2024 by Liz Weir

[Denny Knappen]

I am not sure if the grandchildren will want scroll saw projects.  Let them do with the projects however they please.

[Kris Martinson]

Beautiful tribute to  your life of artistry. 

[Fish]

I'm sure that is something they will cherish, beautiful work!

[Norm Fengstad]

I am sure your Grandchildren will be so excited and surprised when the time comes as well as bringing back many Grampa memories

[barb.j.enders]

22 hours ago, Liz Weir said:

That's a cool idea! I love the eagles - intarsia is something I definitely want to try when I get more skill on the scroll saw.

My mom passed 2 weeks ago and I'm barely starting to go thru the crap... er, stuff  she accumulated. In addition to what's in the house, she has a huge storage unit that is so full you can barely get in the door and some of it is stacked to the ceiling! Christmas village houses - dozens and dozens of them. Cookie jars, ditto. And OMG clothes and shoes. She called herself a collector; I think hoarder might be a better word. I have no idea what to do with it all. 

Sorry for your loss.

[JessL]

I love the idea. Would have loved to find something like that from my Grandparents.  I'm sure it will be a treasure for the grandkids.  Hoping it won't happen for a while though. 

[flarud]

Grandpa!  I'm your 7th grand kid,, don't forget to make me one!  LOL

I have always loved your Eagles.  Awesome idea. 

[Scrappile]

Looking at his thread again I came up with a good idea.  My kids and grandkids have always told me about the big bond fire they are going to have to get rid of all the things I have made that no one wants.  I think I will come up with the ugliest thing I can find, make one for each package it up with a do not open until after I am in the ground... there will be a note with the ugly project that says if they do not hang it on a wall and leave it there forever I will come back and make their lives miserable.  Hide thing on them move things around in their homes you know to the haunted house thing on each of them..  This is going to be fun!