In any case, the small design was missing for five years, until I opened that mystery box and reclaimed it. Then, of course, I had to begin the frame search all over. For a year I haunted every local crafts store, as well as a few others, fruitlessly hunting for a round frame with appropriate-sized opening. At last, I finally found one -- the only problem? It was black and ill-suited to such a pastel piece. Sigh . . .
The frame being the right size and the odds of my finding anything more suited, I decided to paint it. I meant to take a "before" shot, but naturally forgot the instant I sat down with paint and brush. A first coat went on, and though I liked the sort of "weathered" look the black showing through the off-white gave it, the brush-strokes were not even and were gloppy in spots. A friend suggested I sponge on the second coat. This made the color more uniform but, alas, I lost the "weathered" look. Ah, well . . . such is the price we pay, and it did turn out lovely in the end.
The reason I had not shared this before now, even though it was a 2013 Christmas gift, was because I did not see the person for whom it was intended until last weekend. They now live out of state, and I did not want to risk shipping it. Plus, I wanted to see my friend's face when she opened it.
Source: Seaside Sentinels, Leisure Arts (2001)
