My Love of Annie Sloan Paint

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share with you a tutorial on using some of Annie Sloan Chalk paint on a very rough, shabby wooden caddy over the weekend.  This is what it looked like before I started:

Very weathered and worn

As I start to paint

With This!

This was a fairly easy re-do.  I love using ASCP as it is virtually odorless, and can be used over any surface WITHOUT any prepping.  Glass, metal, wood...without any work before!!!  This is important because it can take many hours of sanding and smoothing before painting with a regular semi-gloss or matte paint.

The color I am using is called Old Violet and it is beautiful!  But nothing can prepare you for the way this color changes after it has been used.  I put on two coats, letting each coat dry throughly before adding the second coat.  This is what it looks like after you paint your two coats:

It has a deep color and looks a bit chalky

After the paint has dried, I sand lightly with 0000 sandpaper to smooth the wood and the paint.  I also sanded a bit harder on areas that I wanted to have the wood show through some.  With my brush I then used Annie Sloan clear wax and brushed it into the wood.  I let it dry some and then hand rubbed it until the most gorgeous sheen appeared...nothing looks the same after that!  Here is what it looked like after I brushed the wax on and removed the excess:

After sanding and wax was added and removed

Finished and filled with handmade items from my shop

Another view

I just love the way it came out and I am always amazed at how the color changes when it is sanded and the wax is put on.  Annie says not to sand before you paint and she is most definitely right! So that's my tutorial for my caddy.  I hope if you aren't familiar with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and want to totally transform any piece give this a try.  I can't say enough about it.

Quote of the Day:

A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.

Mohandas Gandhi




Fight for what you believe in.

Small Business Saturday

Well, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and was able to leave the dining room table "a little bit hungry".(That bit of wisdom came from my Grandpa who told me when I was around 10 that leaving the table a little bit hungry was the key to controlling your weight. ) Little did I know at that time that I would be following and using it in my everyday life.  To those of you who didn't, there is always tomorrow.


I hope that you will purchase from small businesses in your local area.  In order to celebrate the day tomorrow, everything in my shop will be 15% off.  Use coupon code SBS112611 at the checkout.  Make sure to use the code or you won't get the discount.  Nothing like a bit of shopping to get everyone in the mood for Christmas.  It was always fun for me to shop for others keeping in mind items they had mentioned throughout the year that they may have forgotten about...sometimes it is the smallest things that delight people.

My Lil' French Beret Ferret 

Oui, I am ready to shop...so....

Come right in...

Enter

And take a peek....at some of the new items just listed in my shop...

1800 French Sheet Music Wooden Ornaments

Not Santa But A Sweet And Kind Face...Could this be Santa?

Late 1800 French Music Wooden Ornament

Late 1800 French Music Wooden Stars...Twinkle, Twinkle...Perhaps to Guide the Magi

100% Cotton Tea Towel made with Fabric from French General Fabric Line...To Use In a Breadbasket or Perhaps to dry all those dishes after Christmas Dinner?

A Red One Ooh La La

Hemp Linen Grey Soap Sleeves to Place Your Soap For Gifts and Your Bath

Another one in Stone Linen With A Lovely Black Twill Ribbon For tying the bow.  I think that these are pretty niffty!

So, I hope you will take advantage of Small Business Saturday by purchasing from someone local to help keep small business alive!

You can make purchases from my shop on all items (HERE).  Don't forget to use Coupon SBS112611 at the checkout tomorrow to get the discount.

And now, how about a little Christmas music to get us in the mood.

Thankfulness

Quote of the Day:


For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson



Happy Thanksgiving!  May you be blessed by the company of family, good friends, and wonderful food.  May your hearts be filled of gratitude and love during this time of Thanksgiving.

For The Love Of Blue/Grey

Beautiful room

I am a blue/grey person.  I love the color blue and grey together no matter how subtle. Whenever presented with a palette of colors, I am immediately drawn to any shade of blue or grey.  It doesn't really matter to me what hues are in the blues, (a play on words) I love them all.  My new "fun interest" is Pinterest.  I love to go there and look at the various color schemes in decor, clothes, beauty products, and just about everything.  So, today's post is about everything blue/grey.  There is no rhyme or reason for the images shown...just that this color palette is dreamy to me.

I wonder what the view from up here is?

Beautiful detail

I love this!

Great color scheme

Love this armoire

Soft and dreamy colors

Isn't this kitchen the most beautiful kitchen ever!

Rustic charm

I ended my color palette with this sweet little bird.  Isn't he sweet!  He really brightened my day!  What's your favorite color and how does it affect you?

Speaking of the color blue, (see what I mean) here are a few new items featured in my shop:(HERE)

Set of (5) 16 x 16 Napkins in this lovely ivory and navy check

Set of (2)  pillows - (1) 16x16 and (1) 15x10 in a lively Paris Paisley Print with a Creamy White Organic Cotton Muslin back 

Thanks to all of you who take the time to visit and leave comments...they are always welcomed and appreciated.

All images from Pinterest (except shop photos).

Winner of Giveaway

And the winner of my 100 post giveaway is Marina!  Congratulations!! I will be contacting you for your address.

Thanks to all who participated in the giveaway...I wish I could have given everyone something.

A New Look

Well, I guess all of you who visit have noticed a change in the look of my blog. I wish I could take the credit for this new look but it was Demie of Paraphernalia (HERE) who came up with this brilliant idea and I L-O-V-E it.  My mind was a blank and I knew I wanted a change but just didn't know which way to go.  She offered to help me with this and this is no easy feat because she has children, a home, and a husband to care for.  So, I am most grateful for her inspiration.  Thank you so much Demie for your creativity and the new look!



Quote of the Day:


"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
-Anais Nin






Give your "sweetie" a kiss today!