So…approximately nine months ago, give or take, I announced that I was going to be a grandfather.
Well, now I am, and a very proud one at that! I am in awe of the beauty of this little guy that my daughter and son in law have created and brought into this world…and my wife and I are completely and totally smitten.
I also promised I’d post the cradle that I would make for him. It has been done for a while, but I guess I must be a bit superstitious as I didn’t feel comfortable posting until after the child was born.
I built a cradle for my children some 35 yrs. ago from a design pirated from some long lost issue of Wood magazine. The original has hosted multiple little miracles (not all my own!) and has suffered the ravages of a hot NC attic…and like me, was beyond rehabilitation. Liking the design I disassembled it (not me…the cradle) and used several of it’s parts as templates. Of course, a repeat was not in the cards…this cradle had to reflect an improved skill set, so instead of flat panels I created raised panels of figured rock maple surrounded by a cherry framework. The end supports are the original design, but the first cradle only had fixed bolts from the basket resting in bearings inset into the supports. As Grandpa paranoia is a thing, I chose to extend the bolts through and cap them. The basket slats are repurposed and milled from our children’s also attic ravaged and outdated crib. The center rail is now mortised into the end pieces where the original’s were just held with wooden dowels and eventually screws when the dowels proved inadequate. My skill set has definitely improved through time… ; ) Though not on the original, I also added a threaded locking knob to one support. The whole thing was finished with multiple coats of wipe on satin poly approximately four months prior to use. Grandpa was being ultra careful on this particular project!
Respecting his parents wishes there are no photos of the little guy in the cradle, but believe me it’s a heart warming vision. I had forgotten how small and fragile our children seemed when they came into this world…and the work required to raise them. Our daughter and son in law’s eyes seem to be at permanent half mast…
My best to you all!