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Flynn & Malone Blanket Chest

This isn't a post about the process and products used for painting an old pine box and turning it into a blanket chest - if you want the how-to details about paint, wax and wood pieces to make one yourself, you'll have to stop back next time.

Nope, this post is about something more........

Once upon a time in sunny Southern California there were two Irish lassies.

Pine Box Upcycle To Blanket Chest, Bliss-Ranch.com

There were talks of going to Ireland someday.

A little something green was always wore on St. Patrick's Day.

And I think they were both plenty full of blarney.

Still are.

Pine Box Upcycle To Blanket Chest, Bliss-Ranch.com

Then in the blink of an eye they had 11 kids between them, lived 2000 miles apart, and the only memory that comes to mind about shoes was a time after they hit 30 years old when a pair was thrown-up on after consuming far too much home made Long Island ice tea.

Má tá tú ag lorg cara gan locht, béidh tú gan cara go deo.

Pine Box Upcycle To Blanket Chest, Bliss-Ranch.com

So to honor those once young girls I redid this old pine chest I picked up at a garage sale.

I don't remember how much it was, I think $7.00, not more than $10.00 and I saw potential, I just needed inspiration.

Pine Box Upcycle To Blanket Chest, Bliss-Ranch.com

Last summer when we sent all my loosely termed *treasures* to the back shed to await their turn at a painted revival, I asked for that chest to be left out, proudly declaring "I'm gonna work on it".

Work on it I did - I sanded down the top and then slid it back in the garage for the winter.

The work might have taken me 9 months to get back too, but I birthed a blanket chest at the foot of my bed this week.

Pine Box Upcycle To Blanket Chest, Bliss-Ranch.com

When everyone else looks at this painted chest, they see graphics and lettering.

Not me.

In those two names I see a story from the past that really only matters much to me.

I could write a book on that story, but again, there would probably only be two people interested in reading it, and there are far too many secrets that really should stay that way.

Pine Box Upcycle To Blanket Chest, Bliss-Ranch.com

So why Irish shoes you ask?

The shoe part means nothing - there is no hidden meaning for Flynn & Malone.

I wanted to make it an Irish linen ad, but I also wanted to use this idea I had to attach shoes made out of wood, so presto - the linens turned into shoes.

Blanket Chest Before After Bliss-Ranch.com
Before and After
To my knowledge the Irish are not known for drinking Long Island ice tea, so I didn't include that.  Besides, a shoe ad for drinking and puking just didn't seem right for the foot of my bed.
Pine Box Upcycle To Blanket Chest, Bliss-Ranch.com

And just what does the Irish saying at the bottom written in Gaelic say?

"If you're looking for a friend without a fault, you will be without a friend forever".

You can't know someone for 40 years and also not know their faults. 

I'm so happy I have one who loves me with all of mine.



 Paint and build details for the Flynn & Malone blanket chest {here}

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26 comments :

  1. Old friends are the best friends...those who been around long enough to have earned the right...and to know enough secrets that they need to be kept around! Love your blanket chest (and the story). xx

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  2. Friends who have been around a long time are priceless. You did a great job on the cedar chest. Looks wonderful.

    Judy

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  3. that is AMAZING! you are soooooo talented when it comes to graphics.

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  4. Darlin', you have the loveliest chest I've e'er seen!

    -andi

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  5. Love the snippets of the story and what a great piece to tie into it. You are very talented.

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  6. Oh- Yes...love my friends with faults....it makes me look even more perfect....lol....sadly, they feel that I am the one that makes THEM look good!
    I LOVE the chest. You did a phenomenal job on it! xo Diana

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  7. What a very special and personal creation, Bliss...to have such a good friend is a treasure, too!

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  8. Are you keeping this one or giving it your friend? I love it, btw!! You two should plan a trip to Ireland.

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  9. That looks great! I know that was a labor of love. Love the saying on it too.

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  10. I loved the story. You got me all sucked in. Don't spill everything. Just make something up :)))
    The chest is just another amazing creation from the house of Bliss!!!!

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  11. So adore the chest but love the story so much more. How true is that saying!

    Cindy

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  12. Very true, sometimes I think my bf knows me better than I know myself.
    I also think she'd be chuffed to bits if I celebrated our friendship in such a way.

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  13. Love that story! Love that saying...and how true! ;)

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  14. That story is perfect. We all have them, don't we? (But we don't have a chest that reminds us of them. Maybe I need one to keep my secrets in?)

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  15. You have outdone yourself again! Lovely story. Even lovelier chest! Those wood shoes are the kicker (tee hee, get it? Kicker!).

    ;) Linda

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  16. Bliss, your google + humor brought me over here!!
    Such lovely sentiment here,
    Deb

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  17. Ahh.. the old throwing up on the shoe trick. A long held Gaelic tradition to seal the bonds of friendship. No one ever wanted to throw-up in my shoes or vice-versa. I have thrown up out a car window and an 2nd floor fraternity house window... Neither one would I build a chest to commensurate. You're a lucky woman to have a friend like that. The blanket chest is fab.

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  18. I love your story of friendship and the chest, too. Awesome.

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  19. Well now... this is just GORGEOUS! But oh my gosh...I am LAUGHING!

    I love hidden messages like this. Great, great project! It's gorgeous!

    And funny!

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  20. That saying could not be more true. Lucky are we who are allowed to have our faults and allow those around us to have them, as well, and just deal with it.

    This piece is stunning and now that Bliss Ranch has gone 3-D, I'm wondering if this will be a whole new chapter and trend in furniture design.

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  21. You know I love the story behind the piece and this is a really nice one. Maybe you two girls will get to Ireland some day and we'll hear the story of what happened to your shoes over there!

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  22. Thanks so much for sharing with us, we enjoyed featuring your trunk this week. Feel free to grab a featured button!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  23. Thanks so much for sharing with us, we enjoyed featuring your trunk this week. Feel free to grab a featured button!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  24. Just drooling over here! You are one talented lady and it'll be my pleasure to feature your prodigal piece today. You ROCKED IT! :)

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  25. Ahhh, love this blanket chest on so many levels - you rocked this makeover! Some pieces are just meant to wait for the perfect inspiration and this was definitely one of those pieces.

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