This is a special post. It comes from the heart. It is all about finding trash and making the best of it. It is also KariAnne’s story. Yes, the KariAnne of Thistlewood Farms that inspired me to paint my happy chairs! It is all about a nautical sign that is So Close To Amazing!
And now you are wondering, what the heck am I talking about? What is this so close to amazing?
It is a moment! A feeling you get…
When you get this close and then … you just don’t make it to the finish line.
You get this close… and the meal still doesn’t turn out the way it’s meant to.
When you get this close … and the diy project does not live up to your vision.
Sometimes you have an item and you see that it’s useless… In fact it has the word “trash” written all over it. But you know me, I love a trash challenge and always try to find a use for it. So it was with this piece of MDF or Medium Density Fiberboard.
I really wanted to do something with this and I started to daydream.
A sign…for the hubs!
A sign with lettering!
And with a drawing on the other side.
And to finish it off I would add a piece of rope around the edges and hang it up.
Like this! The rope would be the perfect touch! It would be amazing!
But I had other things to do …like finish the bookcases that I’d been painting. Instead, I sweet talked my very talented daughter into making it for me. I told her my vision. And she got excited.
“I got this mom” she said!
She painted one side of the board a silvery gray color.
And then added some stick-on letters. But first she painted them in various blue shades.
When I asked her how she made them look like little seascapes she said “by adding dots of different colors onto the broad paint brush. When you drag the brush across the surface you get different colors going across.”
I had no idea she was so clever.
Here is the whole side. I was so excited by what I saw. It was going to be more than amazing!
She then flipped over the board and painted the other side a deep blue.
And then she drew a little sailboat and some other pretty things.
And it was done! It was perfect…
Now to add the rope.
Only… I couldn’t add the rope the way I had originally wanted without hiding some of the painting.
It was so close to amazing… but not quite there.
My vision had gone out to sea! No cute rope wrapped around the edges!
No close to amazing would have been more like it!
But you know I wasn’t going to give up after all the work my girl had put into this sign. So I did not mention it to her, but I took a bad situation and turned it around!
Using a stapler I added two round staples to the top of the sign and then tied the pretty rope right there up on top!
It may not have been my vision but now it was so close(er) to amazing! Or a different type of amazing! Because my vision is not the only one that is amazing!
And so I got my sign and I got to use my rope as well.
And the hubs got a fun sign from his daughter!
A triple win!
You can see here that the rope would have wrapped around the ends just fine on this side of the sign.. Amazing!
Now why am I carrying on like a little kid? Because my friend KariAnne has written a book! And it is called…. So Close To Amazing! And why am I talking to you about it? Because I am part of a group of lucky ladies that got an advance copy of it and am reading it and savoring every single page! And no I am not being paid in any shape or form to talk about this… I am just really enjoying this book and want to share with all of you.
The book is all about those little moments when we get this close to amazing but we don’t quite make it. Kind of like what I am always saying that perfection is overrated. And you know I have plenty of those projects that don’t always go the way I wanted them to.
KariAnne talks all about those moments when we get almost there to perfection but then something goes wrong. It is God’s way of letting us know that we need to slow down and re-evaluate. In our life, and even with our DIY projects.
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The thing that first attracted me to KariAnne’s blog was her gorgeous home, which is filled with a ton of thrifted finds that she has DIYed into one of a kind creations. But once I looked past all those stunning photos (and there are plenty) I was hooked by her writing. I felt as if KeriAnne was sitting right across from me at the breakfast table telling me all about the days adventures and mishaps. And there are plenty of those. She had me in stitches!
She is supportive and reassuring, like a sister would be. And she is the worlds No. 1 cheerleader when it comes to helping us get through our own so close to amazing moments. Whether they be DIY projects or life lessons to be learned. There are plenty of those in her book as well.
I highly recommend this book and I don’t even care if you pre-order it from me on my Amazon link above or from somewhere else. Order it and you will thank me later! Oh and make sure to have tissues on hand, she is one funny lady.
Sometimes it is all about opening ourselves up to seeing another person’s vision. My husband was so impressed with the sign he put it up on his wall. And there was no discussion about “my so called vision” to ruin the day. It was Amazing just the way it was! I hope you’ve enjoyed my So Close To Amazing nautical sign project.
And make sure to pop on over to Amazon and check out KariAnne’s book. It will be available on September 5th, but you can pre-order it now.
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More of my So Close To Amazing moments
What a beautifully written reminder of what’s important! You and your daughter are crazy talented and I do need to step back and not worry about “perfection.” Whatever that is, right? Absolutely lovely 🙂
What is this thing called perfection? Let’s celebrate artistic license instead!
Yeah, but you know that this sign did turn out amazing right? It’s good to have a vision but it’s good to let it go and go with the flow – you are so good at the art of improvising Mary! Your daughter is super talented, this is just lovely.
Thanks Julie. I was really ambivalent about it till I read KariAnne’s book and then realized I was being too much of a perfectionist and that I should just embrace what we had created and celebrate that instead of something that never was.
Mary, Your sign is beautiful and amazing. A great post!
If you have ever been over to KariAnne’s blog Carol, you know exactly just how amazing she is.
Beautiful story Mary! Your sweet sign is even better than amazing since it now has a special memory of your daughter sharing her talent. I love her letters too…how perfect to give a beachy look!
We love our beachy look Wendi. And the hubs is very happy with it since it represents all he loves.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said it is a ‘new kind of amazing.’ Seriously, Mary, I love this DIY. It turned out so beautifully. While I know what you mean by the vision not matching the final product, it’s all par for the course with DIYs! This one looks terrific!
Thanks Jelica. We just need to learn to let go of our preconceptions and love what is right before us.
Such a beautiful sign Mary! And such a lovely story! Thank you for sharing.
Neelam
Thank you Neelam for your sweet comment.
Now you just got me into thinking (inspiring) for a man cave sign for my husband’s office! Great job!
That would be so much fun Katerina. Every guy needs to have one of these signs because we ladies usually take over all their spaces. 😉
Your daughter is talented like her Mum and I love the story 🙂
Thank you Amber for the compliment to my girl and for the story!
Your daughter brought your vision to life for sure. I bet your hubby was thrilled with it! Kerryanne is an amazing gal. I bet the book is wonderful! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jann I am so proud of her you have no idea. She does these things so effortlessly and I have to struggle and drive myself crazy!
Thanks Mary. I love the nautical sign project and do think even though it didn’t turn out the way you thought it would, your daughter made it look amazing. Amazing that KariAnne’s book looks totally amazing too.
It really is amazing. And I know that we are overusing that word but she is truly special and so giving of her knowledge.
The sign turned out quite amazing! How fun! And I love the paintbrush idea for the colors.
So Close to Amazing is one of my favorite books so far this year!!!
It is truly much more than just #SoClose, but so inspirational and uplifting. And KariAnne’s sense of humor is like no other!!