A box, years in the making

box lid, Alaska yellow cedar, about 11 1/2” x 24”

I’m positive that I’m not unique among woodworkers. I start more projects than I finish. I often have several going on at once. Some get started and never see the light of day. They’re up there, mocking me. Too good to burn, too problematic or uninspiring to finish. And some get started, then interrupted, then make their way back to the bench eventually. Like today’s. Up in the loft was a stash of some Alaska yellow cedar I bought. It comes as quartersawn stock, 2” x 6” x some length - I forget. I resaw the thickness into thirds - and then work it into boxes generally based on 17th-century examples. I had started one I don’t know when - quite some time ago. I had the front carved and made a lid by gluing up two of those 6” wide bits into the panel above. And carved it - something I rarely do, carved lids. But the yellow cedar wants to be carved.

Then stashed it. Must have been busy with cupboards.