Holy WOWNESS!

I just snuck over here to Blogger as I dragged myself away from Pinterest and Facebook.  What is my world coming to????  Thank GAWD for iphones and apps because how could we get through our day without them?

August.  My last post was in August.  Why, you ask?  Oh, I've been up to my elbows, quite literally in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  I was in Raley's today and the lady behind me in line asked me what color I had been painting.  I lifted my elbow and said, "Which one?  The Old White or the French Linen?"  So, by admitting that the French Linen was on my elbow that means that the elbow hadn't been cleaned since....GASP...yesterday, when I was painting an 80 year old clawfoot tub.  Soooo, much to my newest surprise, I can sell paint in a grocery store, apparently.  Well, not technically IN it but WHILE in it.

I have so much to tell you all.  Since August, I threw in a trip to England.  Yes, that's right, little old me made it to England.  Away from the frozen waffle toaster making, wrestling practice, high school tennis matches, floor scrubbing (in all honesty, this one isn't done as often as I imply), playing taxi...I jumped ON A PLANE and got out of dodge and left my family for a whole week.  And I met Annie and she was FANTASTIC.  More on that later, but I promise to be here more often.

I will blog more about our trip someday soon.  Debbie and I stayed up one night until 4 a.m. talking, knowing full well that we were getting up at 7 and it was PAINFUL the next day, or virtually 3 hours later.  Here's me with Annie, the day we surprised Annie with a visit and she joined us for lunch in Old Oxford, a few doors down from her shop.  Yes, it was sunny in England, I was NOT hiding my lack of sleep, if that's what you were thinking.

This is Annie, working her magic in our workshop...she has a varnish crackle unlike anything I've seen in the U.S....we painted, we decoupaged, and we leafed!

Okay, I have to add a comment in regards to the following photo.  I am praying that it's not possible for any of you to zoom into my face.  Because, apparently, when I jump, I make gritty faces.  Nobody else looks as terrifying as I do,  Vicki and Debbie just look happy.  (DISCLAIMER: I am blaming the drunk 20 year old college student for pushing the button when he did.  It was unfair.  Plus, I'm the SHORTEST and I think he got me on the downward.  Don't you agree, unfair?)

CHALK PAINT GIVEAWAY!

And...(drumroll)...

the winner is Pamela Kaiser!!!

Email me at tami@patinadecorativefinishes.com to CLAIM your giveaway!  Choose from any combination of the 24 color samples!

About me!

After winding on the coast on Highway 1 today, I'm happy to be home on still ground!   I might still be moving (you ever feel that way after you get off a long plane ride?) We had a wonderful day at the beach.  It was much needed.  We even stopped at Parkside Cafe on the way back for some chocolate malts and fries, I highly recommend it!  A perfect summer day, complete with an 8 year old that asked, "Are we there yet?" at least 6 times.  Sigh.


Since I have so many new blogger friends that apparently like contests (!), I wanted to tell you a little about myself.  I am Tami Fandrei, the sole owner and work'a'bee of Patina Decorative Finishes. While I have a 15 year old apprentice, I will never have employees because I'm a perfectionist.  I have been a military spouse for the better part of 19 years.  We have been in Northern California since 2000, prior to that 5 years in Okinawa, Japan and before that, all over the US.


In 2002, my friend asked me to help her paint.  We were both pregnant and now that I realize it, neither of us should have been painting up on ladders.  Long story short, my obvious love for painting was evident and she encouraged me to pursue it as a career.  Throughout the years following it, I took many courses to expand upon my skills.   I loved what I was doing.  I remember being elbow deep in one of my early cabinet jobs, 5 weeks into it (client kept making changes) and thinking, "Is this really for me?" And then I finished, stepped back, and soaked in the joy from my client.  What a feeling.


Then, tragedy struck our family in 2007 with the illness of our middle child.  My focus had to change in ways that I never dreamed I would endure.  For, I had to learn to be a nurse.  I had to learn to push needles into my child and for the record, I am a trypanophobic (fear of needles...no need to google), er, well, was for most of my life, I had to endure the sight of blood (used to make me queasy).  My business was put on hold, I kept up my insurance and continued paying for my business licenses, but my job turned into a bedside one in the hospital, supporting her and what she was enduring.  We were desperate for treatment because her illness was undiagnosed and nobody had answers for us.  I flew all over the country with her, desperate for help and understanding.  We were blessed that we could survive on one salary, a luxury for most families.  I missed painting desperately, though.


It was in 2008 that I realized it was the perfect time to study for and take the exam to get my contractor's license.  I was sitting in a "ched", chair by day, 2 ft. wide bed by night, all day long and the days blended together and dragged on.  And on.  I needed a different focus, something for me.  We made it out of the hospital a few days before my contractor's exam day, but I'll never forget leaving the house at 7 a.m. a wreck because it was the first time I left my husband to manage turning off her TPN (another word for IV food when you can't eat), setting up her IV fluids for the day and give all of her morning medications.  She was also on many medications at the time and I found it so hard to let go of the worry as you are not allowed to bring cell phones into your exam!  I will admit, as I walked in, all worry slipped and I scanned the room, for I realized I was the only woman there in the entire sea of contractor applicants.  AND, I knew for once in those two years, I was doing something for me.  All thoughts slipped away.  I passed...little old me and a sea of men.  As I drove away with my paperwork, I realized it was the only good news to celebrate that I'd had in a very long time.  And we discovered that hubby could also moonlight as a nurse!  We were back in the hospital not too long after that as her condition worsened and she was unable to even stand anymore, bound to bed for 4 months with pain and agony.  I got my contractor's license in the nick of time.


Fast forward a few years, we're the lucky ones.  She's in a medically induced remission, future uncertain but looking bright from where I'm sitting.  I am back working, doing what I love and about 3 months ago, I discovered Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  It was by pure grace that I found out about it when I did.  My first thought was, "NO PRIMING? Whaaaaaat?  Impossible."  I jumped into it head first.  My perspective is different than it was four years ago.  Life is too precious to not go for your dreams.


I made my initial investment, which was big when you factor in a one income household.  About 3 weeks later, just a few days before my first order arrived, I received a check out of the blue in the mail from our previous insurance company.  It seems that someone blew them out of the water for denying home nursing and they were making payoffs in hopes to avoid court proceedings.  In early 2008, we appealed for home nursing so that we could get her out of the hospital and home, but we were denied, but went home anyway and I became her full time nurse.  The dollar amount was just $20 away from my initial 4 figure Annie Sloan Chalk Paint order.  I call that a sign.  And a gift.

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!)

Oh, what a week...and a big, exciting announcement!

I feel as if I'm cleaning up the

aftermath of a storm in my house!

I am grateful for all the help

I've received from my family

and the support of my friends!

First, I have to say, I absolutely am 

loving what I'm doing. I love meeting

new people, I love sharing Annie Sloan

Chalk Paint with them, and I am so 

happy to be back "designing" again!

Last Sunday was my first Annie

Sloan Chalk Paint Workshop... 

A special thank you to these four

wonderful ladies who came to learn 

and left with confidence to tackle 

their projects!  Also, a shout out to

my awesome stockist, Vicki, for

guiding me through it and for

being so good at what she does!

This weekend was so fantastic!

My daughter and I enjoyed spending 

a beautiful Saturday morning at the 

Green Valley Certified Farmer's Market!

If you haven't been, you are missing out...

Kettle Korn, amazing lavender wreaths

from Girl on the Hill (WOW, they are

beautiful!), olive oil, and so much more!  

Sure beats the State Fair (I apologize to the "fried

foodies" out there!)  We even enjoyed

delicious pastries from Pure Grain Bakery

two "doors" down.  Next to me was 

Boutique Vintage 72, we couldn't help

but buy a few baubles from her!  Jen is

SO talented!  I even got to try out my

new "Square" that swipes credit cards!

Here are a few shots of our SOLD items from the Market!

We'll be back mixing it up there again on Saturday

from 9 to 1.

In other big, VERY exciting news:

As of today,

Not Too Shabby in Historic Folsom 

is now partnering up with 

Patina Decorative Finishes and carrying

ALL 24 Annie Sloan Chalk Paint 

colors and Wax you are dreaming of.

There are wax brushes, Hand Painted

Color Cards, Quick and Easy Paint

Transformations Books ALL that you 

can touch and see in front of you, 

no longer just on your computer screen!

When I step in the door of Not Too Shabby

I feel like I've found a lil' piece of heaven on 

earth!  Kudos to the talented Bobbi Eddy and 

five other fantastic women that make

Not Too Shabby a perfect place

to stock Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! I'm 

so happy to be a part of it all!

You can find this amazing store

AND hours right here:

Not Too Shabby  

Now, you don't have to wait on shipping

to get your favorite Chalk Paint...

instant GRATIFICATION!

There are even a few samples

jars there if you want to try it out!

What a fantastic way to finish off my weekend!
Have a blessed week, I'm off to pass out!

Our NEW Farmer's Market

I'm so excited to say I found out today

that I was one of six "artisan" vendors to

be approved to have a booth at the 

NEW Green Valley Certified

Farmer's Market.  They were excited

about what I do with upcycling and that

just made my DAY!  

I'm so ecstatic!

Between hosting my first Annie Sloan 

Chalk Paint workshop on Sunday and

having this new opportunity, which I will 

do every Saturday from 9 -1 through

August, I am going to be one busy 

chica.  I will have a very happy husband

to see the entire two sides of my 3 car 

garage cleared out for once.  It is 

FULL.  

I've been doing some fun "junquing" in 

Napa this week and American Canyon.

I made a new friend, the owner of a thrift

shop, as we wheeled and dealed and I stuffed

things in every last place I could.  I dug
through the back of his shop (OH boy,
the things I found), all the while praying
that I would NOT have a snake sighting.

And I've got SHUTTERS.  Lots of 'em.

Some will be Greek Blue, some will be

Arles, maybe a few Antibes Green.
I hope they go to a good home!

I may not sleep this entire week because
I have so much to do!

Lots of goings on...

I've had a wonderful, but super busy week, it's not always easy with the addition of three kids hanging around, needing rides, etc.  I traveled around today and did some "junquing"...here are a few of my finds!  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Louis Blue + Old Ochre mixed up makes a beautiful blue/grey...upcycling below!!

I swear, you can paint Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
on any finish!

This is Greek Blue. 

I have big plans for this chair to be a part

of something really exciting for me in August.

Announcement coming soon!