So Close to Amazing | A Maker 13 Event

My “so close to amazing” moment happened very recently. In fact it was just one week ago. I had wondered what moment I would share with you, and then SMACK! it happened.

Do you ever plan and plan for an amazing event?  Maybe it was a special day, or a party? You try to foresee everything that could go wrong. But when the planets don’t align, and you’re left disappointed, all you can do is pick yourself up, brush yourself off and move forward.

It happens, right? No matter how hard you work or plan, sometimes it’s really out of your control.

You cover all your bases, and bust your tail to spread the word on social media.

Angie Overton Preparing wood for the one board stool Maker 13 Workshop with Gail Wilson

Other people are working hard and counting on you to deliver.

My Repurposed Life swag to giveaway

You even go above and beyond to make items to give away, swag we call it.

Homeright Finish Max Super our Grand Prize Giveaway

Brands and sponsors were generous to supply door prizes and giveaway items.

Heritage Collection Paint from Heirloom Traditions right here in Louisville KY.

You plan and make trips across town to pick up giveaway prizes, door prizes and supplies.  You’re so giddy about the upcoming event, and enjoy seeing old friends.

One lucky gal won a fabulous Kreg Jig

Brands are eager to help you celebrate and make your event a great success.

DecoArt supplied the event with Paint and Supplies to use, and give away.

Social media hype gets you so excited about the number of people showing interest in your event. You are so thankful for all the prizes so that everyone will win something.

Gail with good friend Bert (who came for moral support) and to make a step stool

Maybe you even get a new hairdo and a pedicure, even though you need to wear closed toe shoes at the wood shop.  You may even stress over what you should wear, deciding that a branded shirt might be best. After all you will be building and painting.

You arrive at the event early, after practicing your speech for over a week. You think you’re ready, and secretly hope that not all 51 people show up, because you’re not sure you can handle telling your story to all those strangers.  Yes over 50 people expressed interest through facebook.

The clock ticks on, the time is getting closer.  The first attendee arrives, a nice lady named Patty. Then your good friend  Alberta saunters in, there to support you.  You secretly hope more friends will be showing up to surprise you….you realize that you probably are expecting too much of people that support you in so many other ways. Finally 2 more sweet ladies, Deborah and Jody arrive, and reality sets in. You knew only four people had paid to attend the workshop, but you were hopeful that more walk-ins would magically appear.

So Close To Amazing workshop event

That is when you decide that the event still can and WILL be amazing for those who showed up. Those who were too busy or forgot are the ones that will miss out. You will give your all to those four wonderful ladies.

You share your story, doing a great job and hopefully encouraging the ladies along the way. Then it’s time to do some giveaways. Everyone loves door prizes—especially when EVERYONE is a winner!

Ladies hard at work in the wood shop at Maker 13 making one board stools with Gail Wilson

You guide them through the step stool build, even with a few hiccups along the way.  Everyone is working hard, and enjoying building their stool. You’re happy to know they aren’t  really a-type personalities and less than perfection is good enough.

Getting their paint on! So many paint choices for step stools.

After a fun time of building, everyone was excited to get busy with some painting. It’s fun to give tips along the way, just like you do on the blog—but in person is so much better.  It’s time to do the large giveaways. FOUR prizes, FOUR winners!

So Close To Amazing event at Maker 13 with Gail Wilson

So, it was a great day!  A day you thought would be amazing, then for a while it was so close to amazing. But in the end you realize that almost amazing is pretty darn good, especially when the day ends with good food and great fun with those that always have your back!

Relaxing in a hammock with a good book is more than so close to amazing!

I was encouraged to write this post because of my good friend KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms. She has written a new book, So Close to Amazing.  I personally think that KariAnne IS very amazing, and would love to have a copy of her audio book. Why? Because as I’ve been reading her book, I can hear her sweet voice telling her wonderful so close to amazing stories. The only thing better would be to hear her. BUT! Kari is sharing great diy projects at the end of each chapter, so if I were only listening to her book, I would miss out on the fun projects.  Did you know that it means a LOT to authors when you pre-order their books? It would really mean a lot to me and Kari if you hopped over to pre-order her book.  You can see me here in my diy drop cloth hammock enjoying Kari’s book and checking out one of her diy projects.