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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.
If you like what you see, share it with your friends, or save it on Pinterest. Above is a Pinterest worthy image!
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More of my So Close To Amazing moments
How To Improve An Ikea Hejne With Paint - The Boondocks Blog
Tuesday 1st of December 2020
[…] is another view of the distressing on the Ikea Hejne shelf, plus and my husband’s nautical sign on […]
KariAnne
Monday 31st of July 2017
Mary, What a beautiful post! I love you sign and your solution! Thank you for being a part of this journey. :) Happy day! KariAnne
Mary
Sunday 6th of August 2017
And what an amazing journey it is KariAnne. Thank you for letting me be part of it.
Gail @Purple Hues and Me
Monday 31st of July 2017
This post is amazing, Mary! It's so uplifting in itself - with you taking us step by step with your vision and wonderful attitude of accepting what was not meant to be. Although our plans often turn into something so much better. And that is what happened with your awesome sign. I think it turned out so much better than you had imagined. And that, my friend, is amazing too!
Mary
Sunday 6th of August 2017
Gail KariAnne has been such an inspiration for me. Even when I am down in the dumps her cheer shines through and encourages me every step of the way. And it is her inspiration that has helped me see that it is always ok and we can find solutions if we see things from a different perspective.
Linda at Mixed Kreations
Monday 31st of July 2017
I think your daughter did a fantastic job on the sign. It turned out super Cute, and you saved the day once again! I know all about those almost amazing projects, I have had plenty of those. Sounds like a fun book, I'm going to have to check out KariAnne's blog.
Mary
Sunday 6th of August 2017
You are gonna love it. She is so full of life and enthusiasm. And of course lots of fun DIY ideas too.
Ellen
Monday 31st of July 2017
Just a thought from a non-crafter! Glue the rope around the edges so it looks like a rope frame and it won't touch the inside to obscure anything. I love KariAnne too! Thank-you and you are amazing!
Mary
Sunday 6th of August 2017
Thank you Ellen that is such a great idea. I will try it and hope it stays. KariAnne is the best!!