Giving Thanks! (#7 of 30)

I’m thankful for the gift of family heirlooms. Treasured items from past generations hold a very special place in my heart and provide a connection to loved ones long gone yet lovingly remembered. Rather than storing away two Winter coats belonging to my mother, my amazing sister created these two precious teddy bears from their furs and silky linings. An antique wooden high chair handcrafted of smooth, gleaming oak (a gift from my husband) sweetly holds my beloved, snuggling teddies and oh-so-many cherished memories.

I love viewing this image on the black background.

I’m dedicating November to giving thanks! For years, I’ve kept a gratitude journal in which I jot down things that I’m thankful for. During this month when we’ll celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m going to take my gratitude for God’s good gifts one step further by photographing a particularly meaningful gift each day for my 365 project! I've always viewed the subjects of my images as gifts, but I'm looking forward to this month of intentionally labeling them as such. This will enable me to spend a bit more time dwelling on God's goodness and offering the thanks that He deserves. If anyone would like to join me in this celebration of grace, please do! I’ll be tagging my images: all-is-grace.

[Lynne Hart]

Lovely shot and commentary to go alongside. Your sister sounds very creative and such an imaginative way to keep your mum's coats close to you. Fav

[lisa]

how precious.... what a great way to preserve those treasures.

[Kristjana]

Aww. ..Cute.

[Janet B.]

@lhart Thank you for such kind words and the fav, Lynne! Yes, my sister is very creative; and she's also a wonderful person. I admire the work of her hands and her heart!

[Janet B.]

@lisamccloskey Thank you, Lisa! These teddy bears and all of the memories associated with them make me happy!

[Janet B.]

@bina Thank you kindly, Kristjana! I appreciate you commenting on my project! :-)

[Jane Anderson]

So precious! Your sister is so talented. I've never heard of using an old coat for this, and your description of how meaningful these are is so easy to relate to.

[Janet B.]

@cejaanderson Family heirlooms are such wonderful gifts! I appreciate your comment and fav...thank you!

[Janet B.]

@bina P.S. Thank you so much for the fav! :-)

[bkb in the city]

Wonderful shot. Janet family heirlooms truly are priceless

[Milanie]

Love the way you shot this giving us such a close view of these adorable favorites. Wonderful lighting - feel like I'm standing right there looking at them. What a clever sister you have!

[Janet B.]

@bkbinthecity Thank you! Yes, family heirlooms truly are priceless as you said!

[Janet B.]

@milaniet Thank you, Milanie! They sit snuggled close together in the high chair, and I love how they seem almost to be communicating. :-)

[Jane Pittenger]

Adorable

[Janet B.]

@jgpittenger Thank you for visiting and commenting! :-)

[Gena Pegg]

Sweet!!

[Kim]

Lovely!

[Janet B.]

@eyesmile Thank you, Gena! :-)

[Janet B.]

@dkc222 Thank you, Kim! :-)

[Denise (lyndemc)]

This darling photo could be a card cover!

[Janet B.]

@lyndemc Awww, thank you for that sweet comment! Hope you enjoyed your camping weekend! :-)

[PhotoCrazy]

Very cute!

[Janet B.]

@photographycrazy Thank you for commenting on my teddy bears! :-)

[Ann H. LeFevre]

They are so sweet! I have some jackets from my Dad that I'm trying to figure out what to turn them into. I'll have to think about what kinds of animals my sisters might like. Precious photo!

[Janet B.]

@olivetreeann Thank you kindly, Ann! Without creating the bears, the coats would have ended up stored away. I'm really happy to have the bears to enjoy every day!

[Yeshanghai]

So cute

[Janet B.]

@yeshanghai Thank you very much! I always appreciate you stopping by and commenting!