To box ... or Shadowbox?

Like so many of their generation, my folks were Savers.

Only recently, have I allowed myself to revisit their carefully preserved mementos:   Hope-chest treasures 'n trinkets... prayers and prose -- some dating back to the early 1800’s.   I’d barely paid them any mind.

Still, most are chronicled, for surely momma sensed there’d be a time her daughter would come looking.



Maternal grandparents' marriage certificate.
Their wedding picture, below.



Grandma's curling iron ... she used to heat on the stovetop!



My mother's dress and sweet shoe.

So, I had the notion to create shadowboxes for my son and his family.

Did I just say, "had"?

Not being blessed with a single “crafty” gene in my body, I wasn’t deterred. It’s just …. the sheer ENORMITY of material that’s scary. 

What to showcase; what to put back?   Paralyzed by indecision .... then came an epiphany:  

Most likely, I'm trying to project ....not stopping to think if this would be a welcomed gift, particularly for girls still in their teens.

So, in spite of the holidays "to-do" lists, I'm crafting a memento for Me, Myself and I!  

If you’ve any hands-on experience …. or words of wisdom, I’d love to hear!