Kevin found a heart-shaped locket wedged in the seat back on the passenger side of our car a couple of days before we left for Peru…
Neither of us knows where it came from, but strangely enough, I had been wishing for one that week. Packing and preparing left little time for locket shopping though.
I dug an old gold chain out of one of the moving boxes in our bedroom and clipped the two of them together, for keeps…
I nestled heart-shaped photos of my grandma and grandpa inside…
…and held hands with them (and Kev) as we climbed to 40,000 feet together on our way to Peru…
I clung and prayed…and felt lots of Comfort up there.
It was a life-changing trip in so many ways.
I didn’t mention it before, but the last day we were in Lima we got to go shopping at a local market. I bought a few souvenirs for our moms and our nieces & nephews, and Kevin and I found a couple of things for ourselves, too. He got a bracelet made of Peruvian seeds, and I got four pieces of picture frame moulding. I found them in a big barrel, full of all kinds of different textures and lengths. I’ll never forget scrounging around in there! I had a full-blown sinus infection at the time, and I was feeling heartbroken having just said good-bye to Fresia– but I did have fun getting lost in all those carve-y chunks of wood that day.
When we got back from Peru, I started to think about what picture I wanted to put in my frame. Once that was decided, I had to figure out how to put the frame together, sans power tools. Because we’re still in the process of moving, all of our tools are still boxed up in a storage unit next to our old house. And because all of our tools are still in storage (and I wanted my frame together last week)- I decided to ask the friendly folks at our local True Value Hardware if they’d help me put it together. (Hey- it doesn’t hurt to ask, right?!)
I didn’t call ahead (#TypeZPersonality), we just marched in there and asked the man at the counter if he could help. He promptly pointed out back to the lumber yard and said, “Oh yeah, I’m sure Wade could do that”. So off we went, in search of Wade.
We found him in the middle of working on something else, but he was kind enough to drop everything and help me with my frame…and with a smile to boot.
Here’s the nail gun Wade used:
It shoots itty-bitty straight nails…perfect for frame-making.
And just for fun, here’s a video of me and Wade, and my Peruvian picture frame:
(Google Readers and email subscribers will have to click over to our blog to watch the video: The Lettered Cottage)
What a nice guy, huh?
The photo I chose to put in it is an old picture of my grandparents that, up until this week, lived in a badly cracked frame made of glass. My dad gave it to me the last time I visited him, and asked me if I would do the honor of finding it a better home.
I found one, Dad!
I haven’t hung it up yet (still deciding on the right spot), but I feel blessed every time I look at it. My grandparents inspired me while they were here, and they continue to inspire me from where they are now, too.
This post is part of our 2012 True Value DIY Blog Squad series.
Layla, could you BE any cuter?? I think not. Perfect frame for the perfect picture!
What a beautiful frame! I love it!
Gorgeous frame!! Awesome idea. LOVE it.
I don’t know why this post made me cry.
Today is my brother’s 33rd birthday! He was born in Lima, Peru!! We adopted him at the age of three and he is the biggest blessing!
I pray that you will have the family you long for!
Merry Christmas.
That’s pretty incredible finding the locket. Sweet photo of your grandparents. Awesome frame. That’s really beautiful. And how ’bout that Wade? Wade looks like kind-of a hunk.
Sweet story.
-Angie
I love that picture (and the completely gorgeous frame) so much! I have a very similar picture of my grandparents that I love, but my mom won’t part with it just yet. It’s in a very plain, very old frame… I can’t wait to do it justice once it passes to me. Hopefully I can find something half as pretty as what you found!
Oh my goodness… that frame is AMAZING! Junkin’ in Peru… that’s amazing in itself!
As for the locket?! I think it’s safe to say you’re being very well cared for from up above. 🙂
Layla, you are such a darling! Love, love, love the locket and frame and the photo of your grandparents. They would be so very proud of you.
Layla . . . it’s just BEAUTIFUL! couldn’t control my tears for some reason . . . .. I’m feeling like your grandparents are so HAPPY and proud of you and their picture! Have a blessed holiday and always thanks for sharing! xo
I love it all. What a terrific find and souvenir!
Fantastic that the Hardware store had what you needed and helped you. Friendly indeed!
That is so cool that you were able to find that while in Peru. I love it and the heart locket necklace. I’ve always had a thing for lockets.
That frame is absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful place for your grandparents’ picture!
Love that wood!! What a beautiful frame!
A very amazing string of coincidences and things just working out perfectly. What a gentleman Wade was to help you out and that wood is just gorgeous.
I like Wade! It is nice to see someone help with a great attitude. He is what makes our country awesome!!!
Layla,
What a beautiful frame and an even more beautiful photo of your grandparents! I’m sure you will have no problem finding the perfect place for it. LOVE IT! 🙂
Such wonderful timing your locket and what precious pictures inside. I have an oval locket with my grandparents pictures inside. I removed it from it’s chain and attached it to our daughter’s bridal boquet with ribbon. Such precious ones those grandparents are…
I love this whole post. Thank you Layla and Merry Christmas to you & Kev.
The picture looks fantastic.
Love the story. Love the frame. Love your blog. Happy Holidays! Peace
Love the frame!!! And the video 🙂
How wonderful you found that locket when you were wanting one. I like to think of that as a Mini Miracle. So glad your grandparents could “be with you” on your trip. Love lives on forever. Beautiful frame and really cute video. You guys are always a pleasure to watch. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.
Great pic, great frame!! I always look forward to reading your blog….you two are the best……getting ready to do our own plank ceiling & hoping it looks half as good as yours……Merry Christmas and congrats on the adoption acceptance…that is going to be one lucky child!!
What a heartwarming story. Thanx for sharing : o)
I so enjoyed this post (always do:) your grandparents are beautiful, and so is the frame!!! Yes you gotta love True Value, haven’t seen one I haven’t liked yet!!! Thank you for this heartfelt post, kinda a breath of fresh air after this weekends events. My heart is broke!!!
Amazing wood love it! I’m so grateful you shared your story about Compassion. Our family will sit down this week and pick a child to sponsor what an amazing program. Wishing you the best on your adoption. God bless.
Love your blog!
I am always touched by the way that God moves in your lives..and really look forward to wonderful blessings that lie ahead..and all the creativity you both share with us.
Merry Christmas !
That’s beautiful Layla. What a special way to remember your grandparents.
Beautiful frame and the perfect home for that portrait. Yay!
More information please! After you had the visible part of the frame built (4 pieces of wood mitered and glued/nailed together), how did you make the glass and picture secure without cutting in a rabbit into the wood on the back of the frame?
I love this pic and how you arranged it! Blessings and Merry Christmas!
What a lovely post, The frame is beautiful and an excellent idea and it adds a personal touch to not only the photo but the home too!
That is so awesome and it goes to show you what kind of service you can get at a local True Value. Love the chunky wood and how lovely it turned out.
Grandma and Grandpa are looking good!
WOW! – what an AWESOME find of picture frame molding!!!
The frame is absolutely beautiful!!
Laurie
your frame turned out just beautiful! the tones of the picture would look great in your new sunroom. the soft hues of pictures from so long ago just amaze me! so much prettier than the bold colours of modern day cameras.