Wednesday, June 29, 2011

This week's lessons...

What a week it's been.  My new
life with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is
keeping me on my toes.  I'm working towards
hosting a mini-workshop on July 9th teaching
3 techniques.  Email me if you are interested.
The cost is $125 and includes all materials
and paint.  Just bring yourself!

Did you know that there is a Pastured
Egg and Chicken farm in Vacaville?

Check them out here...Soul Food Farm
and here on Facebook...give them a like
and tell them I sent you!


My task this week...to create a new roadside sign
for this fascinating farm.

A little about Soul Food Farm:

"Our methods have been recognized with the
Animal Welfare Approved seal, the first
broiler chicken operation in California - and
only the second in the nation - to meet these
stringent third party-verified standards."  

How can you not love this operation?

Here is the sign, in the making...


drying...



And now onto this week's lessons.

Things I've learned.

1. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint can help whip out 
a sign in 3 days due to it's fast drying time.

2. Polyurethane on top of Annie Sloan Chalk
Paint goes on smoothly, no bleeding.

3. You can leave your brush overnight
saturated with chalk paint and I swear 
it will still wash right out.

4. Drops of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
on your clothes rinse right out.  This
means you can look hot while painting. (giggle)

5.  If you accidentally leave the lid
off of your pot (ahem...not me, of course, 
I'm talking about YOU!)...since Annie Sloan
Chalk Paint contains absolutely
no plastic whatsoever, it will just thicken
and you can add water to get it back
to exactly where it was before you forgot
and left it to the air.  
GOTTA LOVE IT!

I'm meeting with the owner of one of my 
favorite shops in greater Sacramento on Friday
and looking forward to a possible new venture.

Stay tuned!



Sunday, June 26, 2011

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is here...it's time to start the "upcycle!"

Wow, what a week it's been.  I feel like I'm in a wind tunnel, perhaps a tornado, but instead of devastation, there is beautification!!  I am pleased to welcome Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to my business!  This week Vickie from The Studio at 3 Oaks came my way as I joined the Northern California Annie Sloan Chalk Paint team.  It was quite a successful week for Patina Decorative Finishes.  Not only did I supply the "love" to some chalk paint addicts, I found a new "junquing" buddy, Carol.  I look forward to you taking me up on that "junquing" offer, we can fill up my SUV until it bursts.  Let's start at the Alameda Flea Market!!

I could just eat up all these fabulous colors and can't seem to get enough myself!  And, I'm moving towards a date in July to host my first workshop teaching the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint techniques!


Today, I'm going to the farm, Soul Food Farm that is, for a second meeting with Alexis, we're talking ORANGE today, for a bit of sprucing up of her roadside sign.  What her family does on their farm fascinates me!

And...my reveal...remember that hideous buffet I stole, uh, found at the Davis SPCA for $10?  It had some great bones, was super smelly (ewwww) on the inside, but thanks to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, the odor is gone!


the best part?  No sanding or priming!
A little Paris Grey, some Provence, Louis Blue and
Old White.  I used four different techniques on this beauty
and heavy on the dark wax, I love wax.


and now...are you drooling?....


and, yes, they are in alphabetic order.  Don't judge.

Friday, June 17, 2011

New logo...so much fun!


Drum roll, please...

I had so much fun doing this today
with "Chicago," my SIL!

Handpainted metal letters
and some fun paint and a little
time on our hands on the 
LAST day of school (California
school year goes TOOOOOO long!)

Tell me what you think of it.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Playing with Paint

Sometimes when I mess around with
color, I never know what I'm going
to end up with in the end.  In 2006, I did 
a bathroom cabinet remodel for a client.  
When you are glazing or antiquing a 
piece, you have to choose your
base color appropriately, especially 
if you are using dark wax.  I'll never 
forget the panicked call I got from my
client about the base color when she 
came home and it was drying!  I reassured
her it was all going to be exactly as
we discussed and reminded her to be
patient that it will change drastically
once it is antiqued and finished.

I love how this little Henredon castaway
turned out!



Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Old Doors...

I scrounged for this door at 
a few years ago.  It grew legs
and became a headboard for 
my California King Bed for 
a few years.  Recently, on a
trip there, I found this amazing
door knob to complete it.

Now, it serves as a message 
board in the entry of our house.
With two teenagers and their 
friends coming and going, 
you never know what you are
going to find on it!




Wednesday, June 1, 2011

on Thrift Stores...


my all time favorite thrift stores. Not only
are you getting GOOD deals, but also helping
out the furry critters. It's located at 920 3rd Street
in Davis. BE CAREFUL for the bikers and
pedestrians because driving in Davis can be tricky!

This is my find there. I'm still deciding
where to go with it colorwise. $10. And top it off
with a $1 tip to each of the two college students that
loaded this puppy in the back of my SUV.

I am planning on building new shelves for it and
replacing the back panel. I'm going to seal
up the holes from the handle poles that were
dreadful and clearly must have ruined it's
chances of finding an owner. I am thinking it will
end up a faint grey and may sand down the
top to the bare wood and age wash the wood
and cover with wax to seal it in.


I'm grateful that I have a teenager that likes
to treasure hunt with me. Thrifting isn't for everyone,
but once you start, it's addicting!

This was discovered at Opportunity House
in Vacaville. It's truly one of my favorite
finds EVER. The embroidering and the
price tag ($2.50) took my breath away.
It's previous owner clearly smoked,
so I'm googling how to get the discoloration
out, it looks much better than it did in the
store. The colors are really amazing.

another find from Yolo SPCA:

we couldn't wait to figure out why it was so heavy...
and discovered an entire lunchpail of nails.

My hydrangeas will love them!

and, last but not least, my $2 table
that got a few swipes of my sander
and the hose and it's nestled it's way
under my favorite Hibiscus and Bacopa!