As you will see in the photos below, each heirloom carving is unique in their design and composition. Almost all have some passage of scripture carved into them - a passage that is of particular importance to the faith experience of that family. These carvings become heirlooms the moment they are welcomed home. I tell my customers to plan ahead of time who will receive their precious carving as an inheritance, because these carving will be passed down to generations that follow.

Riemer Family Carving

This is the most recent of my family heirloom carvings. It was commissioned as an 80th birthday gift, and commemorates the many enjoyable years this family spent at their cabin in northern Saskatchewan. The carving depicts some of the most lasting memories of "the lake". The words carved on the ribbon come from the doxology - the hymn of praise - of the early Church, and clealy identify the source of all these blessings.

Grahn Family Carving

This carving was commissioned as an family Christmas gift, and commemorates the provision and presence of God in the lives of this family as they moved from one home and one city to another. The words carved on the ribbon come after Jacob's experience at Bethel in Genesis 28:16 - "Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place; and I did not know it."

Hayhow Family Carving

This carving was commissioned by a family in Michigan. Their intention was to celebrate through this carving the many family activities and memories they enjoyed over the years. A family portrait is featured at the bottom of the carving. Various family expressions also populate the carving.

Judt Family Carving

This is my family's heirloom carving, completed in 2002. Featured it it is our summer cabin at Turtle Lake, Saskatchewan, and a passage of scripture from Matthew 25 which is central to our Christian faith journey.
The four images in the corners identify each of our family members with a specific activity which was central in their formation as a person. Above everything is the Word of God and the presence of the Spirit.

Unger Family Carving

One of my first heirloom carvings, this one went to a small town of Plum Coolee in Manitoba. The large elliptical opening was intended to receive a large family photo, set behind glass. The family tree, with names of each person attached is the central feature of this carving. Around it are images of South America, North America, the Hold Scriptures, the Cross of Christ, the produce of mother's kitchen and the tools of father's workshop.
Inscribed on the ribbon are the German words "Lieber Jesus macht uns fromm, das wir in den himmel komm", which roughly translated means "Dear Jesus keep us safe till we reach our heavenly home".

Boden Family Carving

The couple that commissioned this carving are both retired educators whose intention was to celebrate and remember the many years they enjoyed their God-given vocations.

Both were track officials at some point in time as some of the images indicate. An old stone school house located on the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon is featured at the upper right. The books bear the names of the subjects they taught.

The passage featured in "transparent text" in the central part of the carving is from Ephesians 4:11 where the Apostle Paul is speaking about spiritual gifts. This couple recognizes in this carving that their gifts were teaching.

Walker Family Carving

This family wanted a carving that featured the various activities enjoyed by the family at the summer cabin. This carving was intended to be displayed on the outside wall of their cabin, as a welcome to guests.

The understanding in this carving is that God blesses His people so that they may be a blessing to others.