I made this

May 14, 2016 3:31 PM

I made this for my parents who are moving away in 2 weeks. I'm going to go from seeing them practically every day to maybe once a year. I'm super happy for them and my brother (they are going to be closer to him) but my heart is breaking.

Tried to be sneaky and asked my dad if he had any scrap wood he was just gonna toss and not take with him. He had redone the cabinets in the kitchen some years ago and I was really hoping he still had an old door from a cupboard. Had to settle for this piece, at least it's from their house.

Black cherry stain.

Sealant to make it shiny. I have never done this before and learned don't do this on an old plastic tablecloth. Oops!

Had to sign it. I wasn't sure if it would work, I just did it with a sharpie between sealant coats.

Printed out the states they are moving from and to. The bottoms of the hearts are the cities.

I've seen these online with fancy, swirly lines connecting the hearts. My math brain wouldn't let me do that so I made a straight line.

Final count: California state 125, heart 26. Wisconsin state 107, heart 27. Line 6.

Here it is before I cut the strings. I put some clear nail polish on the knots to make sure they don't come undone. I'm giving it to them today. I hope I can hold it together.

Must be nice having a positive relationship with your parents. What's that like?

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

That is beautiful! Both physically & metaphorically. As a gal living on the coast opposite my family, it sucks. Visit 3x/yr if you can

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Your mom's gonna cry like a baby. Mission: Accomplished

10 years ago | Likes 73 Dislikes 2

Nicely done! I'm sure they will love it.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Someone actually finished a pinterest project.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm driving my best friend from WA to MN in less than a month. I hope the string connecting our hearts doesn't snap. :(

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Looks good OP.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It's pretty :)

10 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

I would love so much to be that close to my parents...

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thanks. You just gave me a great idea for a birthday present for my mom.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

This is super nice. Just think of it as now you've got a new place to go to where you can crash and eat for free.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Everything will be fine, OP. I've been seperated from my parents for almost a year (PA to OR). Was hard at first, but (1/2)

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

all that matter is you guys still love each other and keep in touch. As well, that's a beautiful parting gift, I hope they cherish it (2/2)

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Job, OP. I'm sure they'll love it!

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

They are going to be in for a shock when winter comes back.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Im dumb, I don't get it. They are moving to another state closer to your brother and leaving you behind all alone? But why? I want more info

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That's exactly it. They have talked about leaving ca since I was 16. Too crowded, too expensive.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

My mom did the same thing. But it was for a job and I was 18. As the years go by it gets easier! Just don't grow bitter about anything

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I made one as well. Used a bamboo cutting board. http://imgur.com/XrrnAXB

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Looks awesome!

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Madison, eh? Welcome! Farmer's Market is every Saturday on the square. Make sure you do Taste of Madison in early Sept!

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

On Wisconsin!

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

On, Wisconsin, On Wisconsin, we have great cream cheese! Mozzarella and cheddar, don't you love our cheese?

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I literally spent my morning walking around the Dane County farmer's market eating as many free cheese samples as I possibly could.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Madison looks like an asshole...

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

My mom moved from PA to MA as soon as I hit 18 and about 1 1/2 years later my dad moved to MI. If you need to talk feel free to reach out.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

totally gonna steal this idea

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

There's a book for children about separation called "the invisible string". You did that with literal string. Beautiful.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

We live in the same place OP!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I lived in the heart on WI the past 5 years, just moved up north a ways near GB. Hope all goes well!

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

That isn't up north!! Up north is like Ashland lol

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

All the time you were making it you were thinking of them. Every time they see it they think of you. A treasured gift of time well spent.

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

Sorry to hear your parents are moving so far away:

10 years ago | Likes 65 Dislikes 0

Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Not with mass-migration of people forcing other people out of their homes in seek of jobs and better economic markets. :-(

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

https://youtu.be/1GAaWz4X4nU

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

+1 for refernce, thanks. lol

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Your art is really nice! ...but I'm curious what happened with the plastic table cloth? Why was it a bad idea to use? Did it stick to it?

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

The sealant kind of pooled on it and snuck under the wood. The under part stuck and the pool made a weird outcrop that I had to sand off.

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

Gotcha...any suggestions on a better way to do this? I would think using an absorbant material might help, but if you used something like

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Use a metal or plastic rack to keep it off of the surface underneath

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Yeah, I told OP they should put something under it to make it hover so they could get all four sides at once plus the top. The only issue

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

newspaper, I would presume you'd end up with pieces of newspaper stuck to your final product and have to sand it off anyway. Suggestions?

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I also thought newspaper, but of course had none. That would prob stick too. I prob should have just done only 1-2 sides at a time.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Ayyy... Wisconsin...

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I just moved from California to Wisconsin.

10 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

Why!?! Haha jk.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 3

And I just did the opposite. You chose more wisely.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Welcome home!

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Why?!?!?

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

I moved for a job and for the wife.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

I've stayed in Wisconsin for the Wife,

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Happy wife, happy life. Amirite, fellas?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Are they ever really happy

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

Fuck yeah Wisconsin.

10 years ago | Likes 162 Dislikes 3

Happy cows come from California

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 25

i think ur parents are damn near my neighbors.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

@OP

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Woohoo!

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Portage Co.!

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

University Of Wisconsin here!

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hi from Green Bay

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I'm from Green Bay woooooo..

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

ON WISCONSIN!!!!

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

What youse all doin later huh? Wanna see a movie or somtin? Hey hows yer budder doin now? That infection clear up sally said it was nasty.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Oh my god.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Ya, except for the fact that it snowed a bit today....... And was almost 70 yesterday......

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

and that reason right there is why i hate Wisco, that and the months November(sometimes October)-April (sometimes may/June)

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 4

Us wisconsinites always do this when wisco is mentioned. Wooo! Back to milkin youse guys! Bloodys and ol fashions on me at cooters later.

10 years ago | Likes 47 Dislikes 3

The sad thing is I'm from Wisco and I know several people named Cooter. Thanks 4 the smiles!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Of course you do. And the build the most bad ass deer stands.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

The use of "youse" certifies this user is indeed a Wisconsinite

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Guys GUYS GUYS!!!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I love that it has been a slight tradition for us. Seems like the majority are all from southern wi as well.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I taught "Youse guys" to my Iranian friend. He travels all over the mideast and uses it whenever he can. +1 WI

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Username sure as shit checks out!

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Lol, it was a freinds reply to a dennys waitess asking him what kind of bun and cheese on his burger.I loled it sounded like a WI leprechaun

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I haven't had an old fashion since I moved away last July and now I miss home thanks a lot

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

I always forget supper clubs don't exist elsewhere

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Northern Wisconsin's where its at

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

Currently in Eau Claire. That's kind of north.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Southern Wisconsin is much better, fite me irl fgt.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Where what's at?

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Near minoqua

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0