Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Do What You Love, Love What You Do!

I stole this quote from my wonderful Annie Sloan Chalk Paint stockist, Vicki Shoemaker of 3 Oaks Studio!  "Do what you love and love what you do."  Why do I love what I do?  Let me count the ways:


1. I get to work in my pajamas.


2. I can make my own hours.  While I realize I can do this, I've also recognized lately that I've been burning the candle at both ends and in between.  Forgive me, family, I'm working on this.


3. I meet the MOST amazing and FANTASTICALLY (is that a word?) creative people.  Yesterday, an artist from St. Helena called me asking me about my paint as he's going to "cottage" up some walls with it and plaster.  And, I was SO intrigued, I may need to do my own set of sample boards.  When I asked if he was a plaster or painting contractor, he replied, "Neither, I like to blaze trails." DUDE, me, TOO!  (I am NOT affiliated with this guy, in case you are wondering...I'm a law abiding licensed painting contractor and would never suggest using anyone who isn't in your home.  But, I still think he has a cool factor.)


4. The customers I've worked for in the past two months have touched my life.  They remind me to laugh, to appreciate creativity, to slow down and enjoy the good things in life and most of all, one special customer of mine encourages me, tells me I'm going to do big things, and believes in me and that inspires me so much.


5. I get to make my kids' lunch.  Sometimes that involves opening up a can of Spaghettios...don't be a hater, it happens and if you don't buy that junk for your kids, you are missing out on a meal that takes exactly 1 minute 30 seconds from the time you open the can, pour in a bowl, microwave (OH, the HORROR!) and serve with a smile.  And, it has vitamins (even if they are the fake kind).


6. I get to paint with the most amazing paint on earth...Annie Sloan Chalk Paint!  If you've never heard of it, get out from under your rock!  I no longer spend oodles of cash on primer and TSP, not to mention countless hours of priming (GAH...that stuff stinks...and I'm talkin' ODOR, people).  ASCP is forgiving, if you drip, it sands right out.  No brush strokes.  Beginners can use it, just ask my 15 year old apprentice painter.  She'll have HER contractor's license in 8 years!  (probably not, but a girl can dream, right?).  I get to paint with something that doesn't have any odor, dries fast, and makes my life super happy!


7.  I get to take my three kids, each with a friend, to the beach tomorrow.  On a Thursday.  Because I can!


8.  My garage is full of treasures.  Things to paint, things painted, vintage finds, etc.  My husband can no longer park his convertible in our 3 car garage.  I don't THINK he's visited a divorce attorney yet, but it's not a source of happiness like it is for me!


9.  Ohhhhhh...one more.  I don't spend any money on manicures.  I already have plenty of Graphite, Primer Red, Antibes Green (just to mention my work from today) stuck in my cuticles.  Why bother? 


And now...for what you've all been waiting for.  It's a giveaway!!!!!!!!!








We all love giveaways.  I'm giving away THREE (you READ that right, THREE!) Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Samples in the colors of your choice, shipped to you for free (no gimmicks here!)  Each item below gives you (1) entry into the contest and the winner will be chosen randomly.  All you have to do is:


1. Like Patina Decorative Finishes on Facebook
2. Become a Follower of my Blog
3. Repost this contest on your Facebook wall
4. Repost this contest on your blog


HURRY...contest ends on Friday, August 12th at midnight Cali time!


Leave me a comment here on what your favorite Annie Sloan Chalk Paint color is! :-)  (I'll throw in another entry cuz I'm nice like that!)

29 comments:

  1. OK, but if I win...I want the new colors...lol!

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  2. Let the fun begin! Nice quote!! So true though!! I do like how you embellished it by giving examples. Nice!

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  3. I follow your blog. I shared about the contest on my Facebook wall, and I also Liked you on Facebook.

    But how can I choose my favorite Annie Sloan color?

    Gun to head? Duck Egg Blue, I guess, although I've used a lot of Paris Gray and Old White and Emperor's Silk and Aubusson Blue and just this week I painted something Louis Blue. And now I'm coveting Arles and Antibes Green.

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  4. I have not used Annie Sloan yet but I will-I love Paris gray

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  5. ..I would love to try...aubusson...paloma...and paris grey...

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  6. Hope im a weiner...i love the idea of this paint in my master bath ;-) glad ur nice like'dat.....i dont have a color yet....have mercy on me

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  7. I'm a 'liker' on your facebook page, just signed up for your block, and reposted your contest on my fb page!

    Thank you for the opportunity to enter a great giveaway! =)

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  8. I am a follower, and a facebook, friend..:) I love the Paris gray (grey) :) I have never tried the paints and am dying to...:) I also put this contest on my facebook page..:) Thanks so much for maybe a chance to finally try this paint I keep hearing about.

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  9. HI! I'm a new follower here...this looks like a FUN blog!!

    I LOVE LOVE chalk paint! I really wish it was a little cheaper...but I do think it's worth it for sure!!

    I'm hoping to paint my kitchen cabinets with it!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  10. I am a new follower! On FB too! I sympathize with your #8...my hubby is non-too enthused to share his garage with a bunch of furniture! LOL! Love your blog and love Annie Sloan paint!!

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  11. oh and my FB page is Le Chien de Creme!

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  12. Wow! What a great giveaway! I am a follower of this blog as well as fb. I have never used ascp, but am wanting to sooooo badly!

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  13. Hi Tami, I'm already a blog and FB follower and reposted your giveaway on my FB. Don't have a blog :( I would sooo love to when 3 samples. My favorite colors are primer red (for sure)and then it's a toss up but I also like old white and graphite. Hope I win.

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  14. I am a new follower! Count me in!

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  15. Just told my FB peeps abt the giveaway!

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  16. My fave color is Duck Egg and I have entire quart of it! There oh sooo many other beauties!! I am really liking the new browns!

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  17. I'm a new follower! I would looooovve to win this and try the AS paint!!

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  18. I'm not sure that I could pick just 1 favorite color, but lately I've been in love with jewel tones, so the Antibes Green, Aubusson Blue, or Emperor's Silk would top my list!

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  19. My fave ASCP color is...ANtibes Green or a custom mix... I think this is a trick question to answer!!! Thanks for the FUN and hope I win :)

    Trish
    trishnaylor@me.com

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  20. Posted on my FB page!!! I hope 100 of my closest friends come by... but I don't really want them to win... he he he!!!

    Trish
    trishnaylor@me.com

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  21. I follow your blog...YIPPEEEEE!!! Can't wait to see what's under your nails next :)

    Trish
    trishnaylor@me.com

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  22. I Like Patina Decorative Finishes on Facebook... let me rephrase that... I LOVE them!!! Addicted to what everyone is painting behind closed doors :)

    Trish
    trishnaylor@me.com

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  23. I now follow your blog, liked you on FB and reposted to my blog and FB pages. Cannot wait to see what you create next!

    Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway. Pick Me! Pick ME!

    Stephanie Marshall
    smarshall74@gmail.com

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  24. Me too, me too! Love the paint, love your blog. Happy to share everywhere!! :D

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  25. Oh and my favorite color is Scandanavian Pink!!

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  26. Tami, you make me laugh! I'm loving this post, but especially #5.

    My favorite color of chalk paint? That's hard -- love them all, use Old White the most, but I'm gonna have to go with Duck Egg as my favorite!

    I am in desperate NEED of MORE paint, so I did all of the above---I've already "like"d your FB page..

    I've become an "official" blog follower...and I don't usually follow blogs -- I just check on my own - especially yours :)

    I posted on FB -- so now the word is out to my friends that I'm an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint junkie...

    and I even blogged about my recent Annie Sloan Chalk Paint projects...

    and, of course, leaving my favorite color comment...so now I'm entered in every possible way...and now fingers, toes, eyes, arms and legs are crossed. So hurry and pick a winner because it's getting uncomfortable in this position heehee!

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  27. Isn't Annie's Chalk Paint the best? I have 6 colors but want just about all the colors there are. So far I've tried, Louis Blue, Duck Egg Blue, Paris Grey, Old White, Primer Red, and Henrietta. Love to try anything else!

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