Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and a Lesson

I finally made it to class. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint class that is. 

I just wasn't happy with the way my experiments were turning out using home made chalk paint, but I couldn't find a stockist in my neck of the woods. Through a blogging friend, I was directed to a boutique in south-western Ontario only about an hour from me! She offers classes in her shop on using the paint with different techniques.  Heather, from New House New Home New Life, is the one who connected me with Diamonds and Toads and the owner, Michelle. Yeah!! Finally, I have a supply close to home!

Michelle is located in St. Thomas with an adorable boutique right on the main street. You walk in and are in awe of all the furniture and decor she has. I was in heaven! Sorry, I can't help myself but this has a lot of pictures...poor quality but I hope you can see the beauty here. 

 This is looking towards the front of the store. Love the sign, 'She Designed a Life She Loved'. Sorry I didn't get the whole sign in, but you can see it in her link above. 

This is looking towards the back of the store. The room through the hall on the left is where the classes are held. And look at that display of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint...oh yeah

How can you not create beautiful vintage pieces when you find a stockist? And she teaches, too!

 She features product from local craftsmen in her store, like the candles displayed on the buffet.

Love the cabinet with all the pulls, beautiful way to highlight the product for sale inside

She started carrying Heather's creations recently, like these plush pumpkins.

And look at Heather's Parisienne pillow. I love this piece! It has a starring role on the wonderful bed in the boutique. 

 Isn't this tablescape gorgeous?

She has another room with samples of the techniques taught in the classes using different paints...

             ...and the colours of ASCP.

 A shelf with the paints used for her classes. How exciting, I couldn't wait to get started. 

 The paints we used for our class, the same colours I planned on purchasing. The same colours I'm using to do my kitchen cupboards!

And the wax, so wonderful to finally work with this wax

These are the 2 pieces of wood I used to learn how to use ASCP. My favourite, and the technique I will be using on my kitchen cupboards with Paris Grey and Old White, is the dry brush. It is so beautiful! You can see that on the lower board, the second from the left section. 

We were invited to bring a small piece to work on. I had picked up two sconces at a yard sale in the summer, so I took one of these to the class. I love the details, but I'm still not sure where I will use them yet.

I painted it with Duck Egg. I love that colour!

I still have to do the other one, and I plan on distressing these. Might use a wash with Old White and then do the dark wax. That's the beauty of the paint...I can play around with it till I like it! And I got to use one of Annie Sloan's round brushes, which worked great in all the crevices of the sconce. 

As part of the class fee, each of us received a quart of ASCP in our choice of colour, a tin of clear wax, a couple of brushes and a few rags. A lovely gift to go home with. I also bought another quart of paint and a sample size of Duck Egg. 

 I have already used these...no I haven't started the kitchen, but I made a plaque for my grandson when he was visiting. And he loves it! 

I believe this was one of the best investments we have ever made. What I learned and what I'm going to do with that knowledge...I can't wait! 

The Autumn Garden

The gardens are winding down. But, I had to prolong it this year. I actually planted mums. I don't normally do this, I plant them in containers and let die over the winter. This year I did...along with kale, asters and pansies.

 You can see I didn't do much with the upper tier, I've planted bulbs there but need to add the mums in containers at the front to this area. The dog & cats really enjoy eating the purple fountain grass and black madras rice, that's why they are so sparse for this time of year. 

I have my new bulbs planted. I need more like I need a hole in the head, but when I saw the new Orange Monarch crocus I had to have it! And a few more allium & daffodils. Can't wait for spring to see these all come up.

Here is one of my arrangements. I love planting mixed planters...and decorating with them.

This piece of driftwood my Dad gave to me last month. Mom kept telling him to toss it, but he didn't and now I'm the proud owner of it! I remember the family finding this when we went for a walk along the lakeside back in the 60's. I can't believe he kept it all these years! I have another huge one from the same time that he gave me too. Wow, Dad! Thanks so much!!

 We had to close the pool room doors to keep as many leaves out as possible. So for Thanksgiving, I brought this arrangement beside the pool so the family could enjoy them as they walk from the house to the games room. But, notice the decorative pumpkin picks are missing their heads? Yup, Roxy tore them off & 'ate' them. (Roxy is a friend's puppy lab we were babysitting)

Pepsy enjoys the fall flowers too. :)

And this shows you how behind I am, I wrote this post a couple weeks ago and promptly forgot about it! Have you ever done that? Or am I the only forgetful one here...

I'm sharing with:
Inspiration Friday - At The Picket Fence
Weekend Bloggy Reading - Serenity Now

My New Old Bird Cage

Remember when I showed you what I bought for $10.00 at a yard sale this summer?

It's been sitting there mocking me everytime I walk by because I couldn't decide what to do with it. Then Karianne from Thistlewood Farms announced she was having a Krylon Spray Painting Party. Perfect, I have just the item that needs fixin'! And I finally figured out what I wanted.

Then I decided it need to be a bit brighter so I used the metallic gold. 

And to get the look I was going for, I used Krylon Blue Ocean Breeze in a light spray and wiping off excess. I also sanded a bit to bring out some of the original black.

I really like how the colours gave it an aged brass patina...just the look I was hoping for!

And look what I found when I was sanding...is this cage originally from Mexico?

 This butler cart it's sitting on is out back with it's first coat of paint. 

A hand me down that needs a lot of TLC.

 Love the new home for my bird. 

The light is really bad, hard to see the paint colours properly. 

My plan is to use this at Christmas for my outdoors greens arrangements. Before I do that, I'll be sure to protect it with clear rust protector.

Can't wait to get started on that! I think it will look great at the front door. (Ok, so I'm rushing Christmas...)

Do you have an obsession with birds and all things bird decor? 

I'm sharing with 

Thistlewood Farms - Krylon Spray Paint Party

Tilly's Nest

Our Canadian Thanksgiving

I know I'm really late getting this up, but it's been crazy around here this week. So, finally I'm sharing with you our special day.

We had our Thanksgiving dinner last Sunday. We were missing some of the family so there was only 14 sitting for the meal. With that few I really wanted everyone to sit together, but even with the two tables there wasn't enough room. Until my husband realized our dining table actually opened for a leaf we never had! So he made one...looks ugly but I always have a tablecloth on the table anyways. (you can see from the watermarks on the table why...it is on my painting-to-do list)

He's a handy guy to have around

And here it is, with the kitchen table, all decorated and ready for dinner

Too long to get it all in one picture.

 My log candle holders, I had to spread them over the two tables. 

One of my seasonal salt & pepper shakers

The butler cart decorated. This tray was from the dollar store, one of those silver ones. I painted it with acrylic paint and wrote Give Thanks on freehand. Hydrangeas I dried from the garden. 

Our buffet decorated 

The star of the show ready for the oven

Keeping Kaleb busy while dinner cooks

I made these place setting 'cards' from old clothespins I found at a flea market, attached a piece of corn paper, a leaf cut from a dollar store garland, some raffia made into bows and cardstock in a fall colour. They turned out so cute! 

Turkey done!

 All the girls did a wonderful job cleaning up and wouldn't let me help. :)

There will be one more setting for dinner next year! The baby is due in January.

(yes, I know, she/he will need their dinner put in the blender... lol)

Of course, I have to make a stock from the carcass and vegetables.

My husband and mother-in-law relaxing in the workshop/games room after everyone has left. 

   It was a wonderful day, dinner was delicious and there was plenty for people to take leftovers home and still leave lots for us. I was so thankful to have everyone here and especially for the health of our families. 

I'm sharing with: