First Birthday Present

For Violet's first birthday, Dave and I wanted to make something for her that is an "heirloom." We decided on a rocking chair.

I bought a old chair on eBay. Dave fixed the chair and sanded 30 years of paint off of it. I then decoupaged the entire chair in Chinese newspaper to celebrate the fact that Violet is a quarter-Chinese. I don't read (or speak) Chinese, so I'm just hoping that the characters I've used as design elements don't read something inappropriate -- I guess I'll find out when Dave's Mom sees the chair.

We put a lot of time and effort into this chair, so we were scared that Violet wouldn't like it. We tested it out last night to make sure there was no disappointment on the big day. She loves it. She instantly understood the fact that she needs to rock in the chair and she makes the funniest rocking motion.

Whew.

Anyway, without further adieu, here's the chair that took five and 1/2 months to complete.