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Caning with Grandpa!

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Here is what we were working toward! (Aka: the finished product!)
I got this chair either out of the trash or very cheap. I cannot actually remember, as we have a host of chairs without seats in them waiting for a new lease on life. I have been wanting to work on a chair like this for some time. I had a dream a few years back of me sitting and caning a chair with my grandfather. Ever since that dream, I have wanted to see it happen.
So this last weekend, I made the trek up to Indiana to spend a few wonderful days with my grandparents. The days spent with them are like living in another world. They have no TV, so we spend lots of time talking, reading and playing games. They live out in the country, and you can see the stars up close. It gets darker, since there are no city light or lights from other homes...which means they want to go to bed at 7pm. :-)... AND wake up at 4am.
We got started caning the chair in the cold basement. All of Grandpa's tools were down there, so we couldn't take it upstairs. Besides, I think he enjoys the peace and quiet of the basement. He started the chair for me, showing me how to place the caning and how to weave it.
After the first few, I got to take over. It was quite the task and let me tell you a lot of bending over. However, it was neat seeing it start to take shape and really be strengthened with all the layers.
Here we are hard at work. I love my time with Grandpa. He is hard of hearing, so it is nice to get him away from people and talk and sing and laugh with him.


Here is the end of day one. There is still quite a bit to be done: another diagonal weave and the binding.
I love going there by myself. I get spoiled and we have such fun! The last night I was there, they didnt want to eat leftovers...again. So Grandma said it was milkshake night! She gave Grandpa and I HUGE bowls (see the red one? Yeah, that was mine.)

Here is the finished product after everything was done. It took two days to complete it. We did go off and have a few adventures which took our time, but this is no quick task.
A finished chair ready to be sat on! Thank you Grandma for putting up with us and Grandpa for sharing this legacy and craft with me.
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Comments

Heidi said…
hahahaha - your bowl!
January 30, 2012 at 8:12 AM
Parson's Wife said…
Make this up in booklet form and send it to them. Wonderful wonderful.
January 30, 2012 at 9:21 AM
Hannah said…
Too cool! Glad you got to have that time with them! I know they love having your there too! "Milkshake night" That's awesome!
January 30, 2012 at 10:25 AM
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