Pirate Treasure Chest!

Our children never ask for much, normally their requests for presents are quite random (last year one was a treasure map). This year the boy asked for a  treasure chest, we searched online but didn't really like (or could afford) anything we saw, so time for me to contribute to Christmas (my wife does so much!). 

We decided that it would be ideal if it could double up as a toy box, but I might have got a little carried away with the dimensions as it's a proper treasure chest size! 

Being a true self employed carpenter I decided to make two boxes at the same time, with plans to sell the second if there is a market for a more unusual toy box!

I made the whole thing out of solid pine, except for the base which is birch ply. This made the top a little tricky, but good to test myself a little from time to time, although if I make any more then I might use flexi plywood instead. 

I also added a few embellishments to make it more pirate-y! And I cut all three children a cutlass for added effect (and future fights over treasure.

Staining the pine darker really changed the look of the chests and made them fit the part a bit more! 

It's fair to say our boy was over the moon with his present! He couldn't quite believe it was his and all through the day was showing everyone when we chatted to them on zoom. 

Hopefully it was a a bit of extra magic for him on the special day.