What "Wood" You Do?

Who out there loves to save all of your old stuff from school? Old artwork, tests, school projects, etc...I for one, saved every certificate, trophy, report card and my most special awards and medals...I even have some grade school art work. I mean, who could give up that gorgeous lunch sack jack-o-lantern?!

I always thought that I saved just about everything until I met my husband. I came into the marriage with about 6-20 gallon totes of everything from my childhood and he came only came with 1! I was shocked! Did he not keep anything from when he was young? Almost 15 years later, it slowly comes trickling in. I just love looking at this stuff! Especially the finished projects of his Shop class. I took Home-Ec and had the joy of making a pin-cushion and a pillow, but Greg seems to have made a ton of useful things; candleholders, shelves, stepstools, and so on. We even have a wooden reindeer that we put out every Christmas...of course, after that long I had to add my own thing to make it "ours" Replaced a missing eye, added a new pom-pom nose and even put some primitive berries on the neck area :)

Does anyone else decorate their home with projects from the past? I believe the reindeer is the only thing we have used so far, but would like to find a place for all the others. Even if it means just putting a shelf in a corner to house the boys trophies, I will feel like they are put to some use! I did the same thing in my dad's house when he moved last year. I remember seeing a few different projects he made when he was younger just sitting around collecting dust in the garage. I brought new life into his home when I found a place for each and every one of those items....luckily none of them were dated and still have a purpose. I believe in the past, I may have even bought items from yard sales and second-hand stores that were someone's shop projects...all tasteful items that just needed a little bit of love :) Cameron is supposed to take shop during the last 12 weeks so I need to make room for some new art...I'm really looking forward to that....no really, I am proud of anything that my kids bring home...and they have brought home some wild things! Cameron's ceramic mug from art last year is a great example...he keeps telling me to drink my hot cocoa from it, but it kind of scares me a little. I worry it may leak through the seams or spill due to the slight lopside of the cup..I bet it would make an awesome paper clip holder (and I am only saying that because I saw one on my kid's pediatrician's desk doing just that function) One of my friend's kids made a chip and dip holder...don't get me started on the uniqueness of that piece....

Oh, what we do for kids...and husbands for that matter. Anyone want to help me out? Greg has one piece I can't figure out what to do with...any ideas?