This post is not about poop. You might think so after reading that title. Especially since I have the tendency to talk about numero dos. No. This post is about something that actually happens quite frequently here at Casa de Bower…failure.
But that’s jumping ahead…let’s start at the beginning.
I bought this little stool at Goodwill for a buck fifty.
Yes, my little Tinklers, that is a duck.
I believe my mother had this same stencil in our home sometime in 1984. It’s that trendy. Which is probably why I didn’t exactly have to fight someone to snag this sweet little stepstool. But I could visualize this little guy in a fire engine red…perfect for adding a little boost to our bathroom (in more ways than one!). I thought a pop of red in our muted bathroom would be great for a jazzy punch of color plus Cole would finally be able to sink the majority of his bodily fluids into the toilet without first calculating the upward trajectory of his golden arches.
While I was daydreaming of a pee-free bathroom floor, I decided that I wanted to change one little thing before whipping out the spray paint.
The detail that didn’t strike my fancy was the little carved heart on both sides of the legs. I guess that it probably would have been fine. Looking back I think that. But hindsight is 50/50. Even when you’re nearsighted.
I thought it would be an easy fix. I asked Jeremy if he could use a drill to make it a circle. But the only tool we had was one that usually gets the drill bit deeply embedded in the wood before carving the outer ring.
But since there was no wood to embed that drill bit into, the outer ring went haywire and shifted all over the wood. That’s when I decided to call a timeout and rethink my strategy. I decided that we needed a shape that had straight edges (so that I could use our jigsaw) and that was large enough to cover the majority of chipped wood. So I sketched out a star on the side and threw on my protective eyeware.
Needless to say, it didn’t turn out quite like I hoped. As soon as I attempted the last leg of the star, the wood cracked and split in half. Then I ripped it off with a quick jerk and a huff of frustration. All I had to show for my work was a pile of sawdust and some broken legs. I felt like I was in the mafia when I wrote that last sentence.
Oh well. I guess in the grand scheme of things Will can’t even sit up yet much less climb on this little stool to use the potty. Not a huge loss…just disappointing. But you can’t win them all.
So there it is – my complete and utter project failure. Stop pointing and laughing people. It really isn’t funny. You would know if you ever completely destroyed a perfectly good duck stool. Or anything else for that matter. So have you? Does it make you feel better knowing that we don’t always have lady luck on our side? Perhaps you would like to share your misfortune. Afterall, misery loves company 🙂
What a bummer! But I am glad that you posted this. I always feel like a loser when my ideas don’t pan out because I think of all the blogs I read that make all things DIY seem so easy!
I agree with Kristen… I guess it’s nice to know that even the best DIY-ers crack under pressure. Ok, bad joke. Sad, though, especially since it was such a bargain! But who knows? Maybe the weight of Cole (with a full bladder) would’ve busted it anyway? : )
I think I’ve got at least one failure for every success, if not more! And even the ones that do work out, usually don’t do so smoothly, or at the very least, as quickly as they should.
I just finished painting my front door (inside and out) after stripping it (which feels like a whole TON of wasted effort). I did it over the course of a few weekends (when I was home all day to leave the door knob off). I used your tip about not taping off windows (there are 12 panes at the top of my door) before painting and just scraping them later – which works really well when you do the scraping part shortly after painting. A few weeks later – not so easy. Lets just say it required a lot of elbow grease and window cleaner to soften it up. And I still have what feels like callused skin on a couple fingertips from pushing that little razor blade around.
But its done, and the door looks great. 🙂
I feel like I need to give you my Bob Ross button I have at my blog: There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.
Last week I was on my first super adventure to restyle a t-shirt.
Unfortunately I decided to take it in a little too much at the sides.
Unfortunatley I’m not 40 pounds lighter.
Unfortunately I looked like a hooker in it.
Fortunately we now have a new rag 🙂
Awww. I know its a bummer about the chair. Here’s some ideas. You could possibly have bf make some new legs for it and then paint it reusing the top of the stool. Or you could use the top piece of wood to make some DYI art. Or even use it to create a floating bookshelf.
No hard feelings if you don’t, just sharing possibilities 🙂
A DYI art idea I had for a room I’m going to use in my parent’s house (I’m house sitting for two years) feel through because of the couch set she just bought. I was so excited about it too 🙁
so this doesn’t really help NOW, but you could have used clamps to put a scrap piece of wood behind the heart cutout so the drill bit had something to grab onto…
i feel your pain – many a diy project failure, especially with buck fifty goodwill finds! good luck on the next one 🙂
What the heck Holly..you coulda said something sooner 🙂
XO – k
Oh dear, it looks like something that I would do! At least as others have said, it shows that even the DIY Masters have their share of oops moments. Makes me feel much better!!
My latest failure? I thought the doors in my living room only needed a light sanding before priming and painting them. Once painted a lovely glossy white, every imperfection (of which there were many including scratches and pocks all over the face of the doors) glowed!! This week we will spend the week filling, sanding, priming and pasting AGAIN.
I did come clean on my blog though. It is easier to admit failure when you have no readers except your mum and your boyfriend 😉
I think you’ll be able to find another stool. My idea? (not that you asked for suggestions) Fill the cut out with that expanding foam stuff and sand smooth. Worth a try for a buck fitty.
oh katie, nearly every project i attempt ends that same way: something’s broken and i’m in a bad mood 🙂
My mom used that same stencil to paint on a little rug sample that sat in front of my bathroom sink for many years during the late 80’s/early 90’s!
I’ve screwed up quite a few things trying to make them better. It happens. At least it was something that can be easily replaced. I hope the next attempt goes better!
Thanks for keeping it real.
Boo.
But I can relate. Boy, can I relate. Ohhh the projects I’ve mucked up.
Kelly
it was very interesting to read bowerpowerblog.com
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
And you et an account on Twitter?
Did you already chuck the stool?
{wow that is a weird sentence}
If not, you could use the main part of the stool and just paint over it to make some cute sign, ie “Will’s Room”. Just an idea so it doesn’t feel like a complete waste!
I just found your blog today and I’ve laughed so many times. You crack me up! Into my Google Reader you go!
oh.this post is so exciting!!