Treasure Tuesday

On my recent post, Amanda asked to read more about my hope chest. This post is in answer to her comment.

My granny gave me my hope chest for Christmas in 2001. I had wanted one for a few years and was quite pleased when I received it. Since then my collection has grown a lot, and now not only is my hope chest filled but also plastic storage containers under my bed and cardboard boxes in my closet as well. :) Of course, that doesn't include the things that don't fit in boxes or the items I'm using right now, such as a few shelves, a quilt rack, my books, etc. Yesterday, I went through all my hope chest stuff and took some pictures of various items so everybody could get a taste of what I have. :)

This is one of several cross-stitch projects I've completed. I have several more I'd like to get done. :) There's also one that Hannah made for me that's she still in the process of framing. I may keep that one on my wall instead of in my hope chest. 

A lot of items come from my granny--she moved out of her house several years ago and gave many things to Hannah and me. This cake stand, antique pie and muffin tins, crock with utensils, and cherry pie holder are all from her. The box of utensils at the back are from a yard sale. :) I find a lot items new or in very good condition at yard sales for great prices.

Placemats, kitchen towel set, and the set of pots are all yard sale deals. :) The cast iron skillet, the tablecloth you can see peaking out from behind it, the brand new utensil set (I've got a lot of those!), and pot are from my granny. The box in the middle holds the dried petals of my graduation roses.

Here's a lot of my baby clothes! Several of these outfits either I or my siblings wore. Also, on the right is a playsuit that both my mom and I have worn. The teddy bear was my first birthday present, and the little New Testament was given to me at my baby dedication. My aunt gave me the Little House on the Prairie book.

This spice rack, grater, and canister set were from yard sales...for $5 or less. :) The baking dishes are from my granny, and the tea cup was a Christmas gift from my great-aunt.

These are just 2 pieces from my set of china. It was a graduation gift from my granny. I think she got it at an antique store, but I'm not sure. There are several boxes just of that in my closet. :)

My beautiful bread box that Dad made for me is on the left! Right now it's put to use holding some of my books. My dad has made several woodworking projects for me, including a recipe box, a spice/wall cabinet, and the aforementioned shelves and quilt rack.

Besides the pictures, I have pots, pans, various kitchen items, a couple sheets, dish towels and washcloths, several afghans, 2 twin comforters that I use now, a lamp, cookbooks, old letters and cards, a few more clothes, a punch bowl set, a knife set, doilies and another tablecloth, and the notes from a Bible study on marriage that my family went through a few years ago. Whew! There's more there than I remembered! I'm also working on an afghan right now, and hopefully soon I'll be learning how to make a quilt, so those have to fit in somewhere. :)

A great book that has a ton of information on hope chests is The Hope Chest: A Legacy of Love by Rebekah Wilson. It really has a lot of ideas for what to put in your hope chest, as well as the history behind them, advice on how to pack them, bridal shower and trousseau ideas, and much more. You can read some excerpts from the book here. It happens that it was edited by Carmon of Buried Treasure Books. :)

If you have any questions, comment and I'll see if I can answer them. :) And stay tuned for Hannah's post on HER hope chest coming up.

~Sarah

Comments

[Chris]

WOW Sarah!!! What a neat bunch of items!! You have some really nice things and what special treasures from your family members too. I had a hope chest too before I got married but I only received it in March of the same year I got married in June. Fred made it for my birthday and gave it to me, I was 21. We quickly filled it up during the next 3 months with little trips to K-Mart and gifts from lots of dear friends. Our older girls have been given a hope chest and are slowly but surely filling theirs. What fun, and how nice to get such a great head start! :) Thanks for your post, it was fun to take a peak at your "stuff". Nice to read your posts!!

[Dana]

Thank you for sharing the items in your hope chest. You have so many lovely things! What a blessing they will be to you. It is so awesome that you are already preparing for your home. I got married at 18 and was totally clueless. I have been married for almost 10 years (home full time for 2.5 years) and finally feel like I know a bit about running a home (and I'm now 28!). Needless to say, I am working to prepare my daughter for her future and hope to give her a hope chest in the next couple of years (she is 8 now).

Have a blessed day, Dana

[Tammy]

You really have some neat things-the items from your granny are precious to own.

Allison will be 16 on March 30.I will have to get her one.I was surprised that your dad didn't make it,that is because he has made all of the other items for your chest!

I need to rearrange some of the things in mine to make sure nothing gets ruined-like old baby blankets.We have one that was used for Gregory,Allison and their dad. The blanket was made by Chris' great grand mother.

[Brenda]

I have started putting things back for my son, who is almost seventeen. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier.

My daughter also had a hope chest with all kinds of pretty things in it when she married. Another thing we did was to collect Christmas ornaments and decorations.

When she moved into her own house, she had everything to decorate beautifully for Christmas. Now some have been replaced with items she and her husband and kids have bought or made together, too.

You have so many beautiful things. Having items made by those you love will always be special.

[amanda]

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer!! I have only read about hope chests in my books about yesteryear. I think your collection is awesome!!

[Courtney]

Thanks so much for sharing those things with us, Sarah!! It looks like you have a TON of nice, cozy, homey looking things for your future home.

[sherrin]

I love this post. I have a beautiful hope chest my Grandad gave me, and I am planning to post about it soon.

[Lisa]

Sarah, your hope chest is beautiful as are the treasures it holds.

[Sarah]

Thank you for all your comments! :) Hannah will be getting her post up hopefully tomorrow.

[NaTacia]

You have a very beautiful things. I personally liked your tea set.
Thank you for sharing, I think you have a wonderful collection.