Pappy’s gift {handmade nutcracker}

Thank you for all your encouraging emails yesterday regarding my SnapShop announcement!  I am excited to see what may come from the new site and growing as a photographer alongside many of you. Thank you!

How is this for a “Before & After”?

I taught myself to use a lathe and make my very first nutcracker last month. First, I sketched out my design on paper and then began the process of figuring out how to make it.

Oh wait. That was my dad, not me.

Backstory: My 6 year old daughter REALLY wanted a nutcracker for Christmas. She would beg me to buy one every time we visited a store that carried them. I encouraged her to wait. Knowing my daughter, I also knew the nutcracker would be so special to her. I was hoping to convince one of the handy men in my family to make one for her. Well, my dad can make anything out of any material. He jumped on the chance and before I knew it, he was making four nutcrackers. Each of his granddaughters were getting a priceless gift for Christmas.

Throughout the process, he sent me pictures of what he was doing….seriously, between my dad and mom there is nothing they cannot do.

Once blocks of wood, then my dad got a hold of them…

He made each one slightly different. He also picked colors and sparkly features specific to the likes of each girl. I love that.He didn’t send me process pics of the final steps – it was a surprise for me too. I am going to make small photo books with the process pictures for each girl. I think the books will be fun to store with the nutcrackers…telling their story for years to come.

Needless to say, there were some very happy girls this Christmas.

This little girl has snuggled with her nutcracker almost every night. She also dances around the house with him.The nutcracker movie on tv in the background as she danced away Christmas night.

Thank you, dad. They are far better than I imagined!