So Many Leaves

 

 

I had high hopes for blogging this post before I left for Michigan, but alas, that did not happen.  I still wanted to share this post with you, however, because it gives you a glimpse at how I was able to construct the leaf portion of the Jeremiah Tree.  I had help with the frame-work from a friend from church.  Thank you so much Dave Kjendal for all of your help!  Such a blessing to me!  I will also add that he made this frame for me out of Brazilian Mahogany!  Once I had this frame, I started to stretch chicken wire over it and mold and shape it into place.  It was secured by using the staple gun.  After the chicken wire was in place, I had the tedious task of wiring on each leaf.  It look a long time and after many scrapes and a few bleeding fingers, the tree was done!

 

 

Noah sat with me for a while as I worked.  I actually didn’t get a whole lot done when he was with me, but I sure loved having him in my lap.  He was just staring at the leaves as they were set into place.  I didn’t finish this piece before we hit the road but I got a good chunk of it done before loading it into the van.  Then I worked on wiring a few more leaves onto the frame in Buffalo.  (We broke up the drive into two days, so we got to have an overnight with my in-laws.)  Finally, the tree was finished in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Needless to say, it took a long time.

 

I have a lot more to post on our time in Michigan and of course, the final images of the Jeremiah Tree.  It has been such a neat experience to be a part of so far.