Téa's Pennsylvania Blanket Chest

I have been making hope chest/foot lockers for my nieces and nephews graduation gifts. My niece Téa is a junior world champion in gaited horse show competitions. Therefore, I chose a classic, traditional design for her, a Pennsylvania Blanket Chest. It is patterned from Glen Huey’s blanket chest detailed in the August 2009 issue of Popular Woodworking.
I used cherry except for bottom of chest and drawers. Followed Charles Neil’s Blotch Control directions followed by General Finishes Vintage Cherry dye stain. Top coated with satin lacquer, lightly scuffed then hand rubbed out with past wax.

This was the first time I tried using dye stain.
Ran into an issue staining the top, I missed a drip when I stained the underside of the top.

To correct it, I sprayed a coat of lacquer sealer on the top. Trimmed less than an 1/8” off the end and ran it through the router again. Had to sand off just a little bit extra.

Then followed same finishing schedule on the end, CN blotch control, dye stain, lacquer. By God’s grace, it is barely noticeable. (Sigh of relief)

This project stretched me a bit. I learned alot. My niece, Téa loves it.
As always, your feedback including constructive criticism is appreciated.

-- Rick - I know I am not perfect, but I will keep pressing on toward the goal of becoming all I am called to be.