Tattered Tiques

seriously…

we were out and about…

we just HAPPENED to be IN the neighborhood…

Machine Man was doing some remodeling to that other property we hope to sell…

and because of my allergies..

 I couldn't go home..

We simply HAD to find SOMETHING to do

SOME way to spend our time..

and

it was only…

 a little further out of my way…

one really can't blame me..

YOU would have too..

maybe..

Well..

Princess and I couldn't resist…

WE adore going to Tattered Tiques

WE love to visit with these two sisters and their lovely Mama…

WE love the chaos and joyful business of the shop

we LOVE all the creativity

LOVE all the thoughtfulness tucked away here and there

we LOVE chit chatting and brainstorming

LOVE the classes..

LOVE the paints..

LOVE just being there…

could REALLY just

sit down and hang out actually

alas…

THAT would be pushing things..

Machine Man should be SO proud of me..

I ONLY 

bought 

an Annie Sloan book..

but I did get a color chart..

so 

Let the plotting begin!

(insert devious laugh)

Where do you love to go 

when you can't go home?

http://tatteredtiques.blogspot.com/

NEW Skills Week.... Painting Class

they were offering a Paint Class

and 

well..

I LOVE PAINTING

I love chalk paint

but I also love any paint

watercolor

oils

acrylic

spray paint

really

i love to PAINT! 

but right now I am in a "chalk paint" phase...

I can't ACTUALLY imagine it ending

but we won't try now.. will we?

So In my Bible Study I am working through the book of 

PROVERBS

and was very convicted I needed to learn MORE skills

to be "sharp and ready"

capable, competent

seizing every "opportunity" to LEARN new skills

or learn ABOUT things I may need to know 

and this class was a GREAT opportunity to become more

SKILLFUL

and have FUN doing it! 

here are my boards 

here is one of them

all slathered up 

you are allowed to be messy MESSY with Annie's fun paint,

in fact for some techniques you NEED to be messy...

which can be a bit different...

and a bit cool 

i love this color..

provence 

here we smoothed on a glorious pink

and then 

wiped off some so that the gold leaf

underneath 

could be seen! 

pretty right? 

LOVE LOVE LOVE

the way this turned out!

but why aren't the step by step instructions on here?

why aren't there MORE photo's?

WHY didn't I get shots of all the pieces after?

the answer may surprise you...

 see these ladies in all these photos?

it is 

THEIR FAULT!

They are my classmates

and they are FUNNY

WITTY 

CHARMING & CREATIVE

and how does one FOCUS  on one's blog with an amazing group of ladies like this one?

one does not.

so sprinkle grace..

and lets move on

Julie, Ann, and their Mom Nancy

run Tattered Tiques

and they are NEW stockists for Annie Sloan !

They are wonderful teachers

and really kept things hopping in class!

I adore them all, and am so inspired by THEIR talent!

check THIS beauty out!

it's Provence

and some fun techniques done to it..

smooth as silk

you'd think it was peeling but it ISN'T!

off to paint!

have a happy day

Coffee is a beautiful thing

several years ago,

I came across this fun piece of furniture at a 

Garage sale

It was its function, size 

and the fact that it's REAL wood

rather than it's actual appearance

that attracted me..

I have never loved how it looked..

(but I confess it looks great in this picture)

so I decided to bring it up to the farm

and paint it..

see... I think coffee is beautiful 

and I want a coffee station!

I cook for a crowd..

Even if it's my OWN clan (we are 6)

but especially when we have guests...

and one thing that drives me bonkers

are the coffee drinkers..

see I AM ONE OF THEM, but...

people always want coffee JUST in the midst of the 

HOT time in the kitchen..

when things are hopping

happening

and have the potential to be ...

ruined..

I find it stress full

when they 

(yes that might be Machine Man I am speaking of...)

waltz in to get a cup of coffee

and then go to the fridge searching

desperately for cream...

yes.. it ..

annoys

so...

my plan?

coffee station! 

here is the new color!  

Princess painted it with 

Emperors Silk

an Annie Sloan red !

I got it at Tattered Tiques 

but you can look for a location near you!

Princess is getting the hang of this..

I love teaching a student that is SO eager to work

and to LEARN!

She did a great job! 

and now my coffee pals

(self included)

can grab a cup of joe

and not bother the Chef..

or the assistant chef..

yup..

BLISS all around!!

everything "coffee" is on the counter!

Ready for some peace

as my guest sit in my Groovy chair

and chat it up whilst I cook!

LOVE IT!!

The Littlest Room... completely PAINTED!!

So...

in all that spare time i have (giggling!)

I like checking out different decorating sites here and there...

and quite some time ago...

I came across something called Chalk Paint

not to be confused with Chalk Board Paint..

both SUPER fabulous and SUPER fun

but... different from one another...

Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan seems to create a look

that I just LOVE... that makes me think of 

living in the South of France...

that brings back happy,

joyful memories..

it ALSO seems to really respect the wood

and the ages of pieces..

see our trim is old

very very old.

EVERYONE who looks at it online thinks it's cherry..

it isn't

this was an old farmhouse

there is no way they could afford to have that much Cherry Trim..

they couldn't even stain the whole floor

they stained around the carpets.. remember?

so that said... it's some oak, and some other woods 

sort of hodgepodged with some truly lovely accent pieces 

all stained cherry

and not all done very well...

with lots of .. well issues shall we say?

I think it pulls together quite nicely

as a whole..

having NO desire to take it down

we wanted to respect it's age, and uniqueness..

they really went to a whole lot to make things LOOK really good

and they did it on a dime..

(sound familiar?)

I totally respect that too..

so the thought of putting regular paint on it seemed wrong...

it would chip eventually and look worse..

it would look like I was trying to make it look brand new.. 

I don't want it brand new.. 

I just want to get a new look...

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to the RESCUE! 

now to find a distributor...

there aren't many..

so after lessons one day Princess and I took a wee road trip!

and we met Nancy of Tattered Tiques!

and she is SUPER lovely, 

SUPER helpful

and SUPER inspiring...

we can't wait to go BACK!

Nancy was very informative, 

willing to explain how the paint works 

and just so lovely to chat with!

here's a sneak peak at some of her pieces!

so right up my alley!

it was a blast to go there and see how 

the chalk paint looked up close and not just on the internet.

and buy some we did!

I had saved some money for some many many months

and had exactly enough to buy

this 

(with about a dollar and change to spare!) 

chosen colors?

Paris Grey

and Pure White

I also bought the clear wax.. 

just forgot to get it in this photo..

oops

my plan?

to paint the trim PURE white

and some furniture pieces the Paris Grey 

I have my Coffee

 and the birds are singing JUST outside

the Littlest Room 

I have my Painting Partner, Princess ...

and we are ready to go!

Months of anticipation

planning... dreaming 

I can't begin to tell you how wonderfully this product goes on

I can't begin to blab on enough on how beautifully it stretches...

nor can I begin to tell you 

just how much I hate it on my trim...

time for more of that coffee... 

do it hate the paint? 

or the color...

definitely the color...

it's so washed out..

it looks sloppy on the cherry..

but what else can I do..

I spent a LOT of money..

ALL my money

and I have to get this right 

I need it done before I leave for 

Suburbia

I need it done so when Machine Man comes..

We can assemble the bed ...

and this.. to me this is hideous

so I did what I do 

I prayed..

I drank coffee

and prayed and had the craziest Idea...

what would the grey look like..???

probably worse...

ugh

well.. why not try?  I have NOTHING to lose.. right?

LOVE it

yep I really like the contrast a whole LOT

but will Machine Man??

will he think it's super dreamy and romantic too?

Princess loves it

and she's getting super good with working that brush!

whatcha think?

think I am crazy?

I probably am..

after one gets on the paint,

it's time to wax it on..

I chose the clear wax..

hmm I like it !

here's my little cloth to wipe off the excess...

and Walla!

isn't it lovely?

I can't WAIT to get furniture in here!

and pretty curtains...

oh MY!

so clean and pretty, and honoring of the period..

you know what..

it really does make me think of France.

as for Annie Sloan Paint,

it's a HIT!

and as for the Pure white..

I guess IT will be the color for some furniture! :)

so exciting!

can't wait to get back to Nancy's shop..

thinking.. green for the front door...

wonder what Machine Man will think of all this... 

hmmm