Pipe Chimes Reveal

It seems like most of the projects I've worked on lately have had a deadline. This was one of the biggest. 

Several years ago we went to a Christmas party and a friend of mine who is a music teacher brought out a set of pipe chimes. Everyone got a chime, and we proceeded to play Christmas songs together. It was a blast. I knew it would be the perfect Linford gift, so I asked her for the directions on making the chimes.

Fast forward to about a week before last Christmas. I casually mentioned to Ray that someday I'd like to make those chimes for our family. What that really meant was that someday I'd like Ray to make those chimes for our family. Much to my surprise, he jumped all over it. I got out the plans, and he was off like a shot to Home Depot to buy the pipes.

Like many of our projects, this one expanded ridiculously. What started out as a gift to our four children grew to include all of Ray's siblings and his parents. That's eight additional sets. Plus us. Plus one for Trish. Yes, that's 14 sets we gave away. 

Two were complete by Christmas. The rest were finished two weeks ago when I had my annual Sisters Weekend with my Linford sisters-in-law. Ray worked like a dog to get them done, and they are exact, let me tell you. I made the covers and painted the numbers on the pipes. Together we put the strings in, tied the knots, and packed the covers. We were up very late for a few nights to get them done. (Think now in your mind of the song I Work Best Under Pressure from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.)

I ended up with about 15 or 20 Christmas songs, a few patriotic songs, and some fun general favorite songs for children. They can be used at all sorts of occasions. 

We'll have a grand old time.

Full shot of the pipe chimes

What they look like individually. The bolt on the left is used to strike the chime.

Here they are, all wrapped up and tied in a bow.