More on Annie Sloan Chalk Paint....

I started painting my dining room chairs last night.  I decided on
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Ochre.  This is how Old Ochre is described:

Old Ochre:

A soft warm neutral that can be dark waxed to make the colour of old French painted woodwork. For a sophisticated paring, use Old White for carved details.

I love this color.  I have used it on a few pieces and was running low on it when I started the dining room chairs last night.  With a little over 1/4 can left I almost finished 6 chairs! 

So this morning I headed out to Carter's Cottage to pick up some paint.  I have to say I love this shop!  Christie is the owner and she has made this a very comfortable and beautiful place to shop.  Here are a few things I saw today.....

 

 Beautiful things!  I could walk around this store all day and never get tired of looking!  What is so great is many of the pieces are painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint so you can actually see it on furniture!

And now for my favorite part........

This is where it gets difficult for me!  I knew I wanted Old Ochre and clear soft wax, but I also wanted to try a new color. I really could buy a can of each, there is not a color I do not like!

Christie is a Certified Trainer for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  She knows a lot!  The Carters Cottage website has tons of great tips too!!  After talking with her about what color I should try I decided on....

 

Château Grey:

An elegant greyed green when left un-waxed or clear waxed. A beautiful medium olive color when dark waxed. The colour often found in French woodwork.

 

I am so excited to try this color!!  It goes great with Old Ochre!

The nice part about shopping for paint here is all the colors are painted on little pieces of wood.  She has an entire basket full of colors and different color combinations as well. 

I also bought a new paint brush.  My old one has lasted over a year and is still going strong.  For $4.95 I decided to get another for a back up!  I also got a piece of ripple cloth. This cloth is great for buffing after you wax. 

I highly recommend Carter's Cottage.  You can also buy Annie Sloan Chalk Paint online on their website.

www.carterscottageinteriors.com

Looks like I will be making many more visits to this lovely store!  I  have been collecting beautiful pieces of furniture over the year and have decided to start finishing them to sell!  I can only fit so much stuff in my home!!! I am soooo excited about this new venture.  Stay tuned for more details!  :)

Friday's Favorite Flea Market Find

Today's favorite flea market find is one of my absolute favorite things!

When we decided to re decorate Bryce's bedroom I was so happy she asked for a vintage/barn/flea market type of room!  I can promise you a year ago no way would she have wanted that.  She thought I was nuts with my white paint and sandpaper!  :)

Here is the old barn door Bryce & I found at the Kane County Flea Market. It was already polyurethaned so it was nice and protected.

Since we had sold Bryce's entire bedroom set she needed a new mattress.  We bought her a full size mattress and a bed frame.  Then TJ just attached the barn door to the wall with heavy duty screws and wa laa she has a bed!  A one of a kind no one will ever have this bed kind of bed!!

I am so happy with how it turned out!  Just as I had pictured in my (our) mind!!

Trash to Treasure.....

Trash to Treasure-literally!

Remember when my sister and I garbaged picked at the end of the flea market and I found this.....

An old beat up barn door.  I decided to make something with it for a surprise for Bryce while she was away at camp. Lucky girl!!! :)

First thing I did was clean it up, really good!  I also removed the extra broken hinged piece.

Then I painted it with Annie Sloans Chalk Paint in Old White.  It took two coats.

I knew Bryce likes the color of our kitchen island. (Benjamin Moore-Wythe Blue)  I decided to do a light wash of that color on top of the old white.

I then used a light coat of Annie Sloans Clear Soft Wax.  The only problem with the wax is I was planning on using a transfer on the board.  Bryce had wanted an inspirational saying on her wall. I found one at Hobby Lobby and was going to transfer it right on the wood!  EASY!    

 But no matter how hard I tried that transfer was not sticking to the wax.  I had to go to plan B.

Stencils!

I used black paint and started stenciling.  This too was fairly easy!

I decided to attach this Bible verse to the board so she can always see it.  She has had this verse on this paper for years so I know it is very special to her!

Here it is finished!  She came home from camp and saw it hanging on her bedroom wall and loved it!  :) 





Kane County Flea Market.....

Flea Market season is in high gear around here!  This past weekend was the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles.  Kim could not make it up here for this one.  I had a pretty jammed packed weekend myself so was only able to go for a few hours. TJ went with me this time so it was a much different flea market kind of day.  More of a quick look because I know he really does not want to be there kind of day.  Although he does not complain!  :)

Crates are everywhere now.  We used to have to search high and low for these things.  Now you see piles of them!  Sad part is some vendors started charging $40 plus for one crate!  I can usually find them still for under $10.00.  Found a few free ones too!

Love these blue bottles.  This vendor is my favorite bottle guy.  He knows something about every bottle.  (at least he says he does, and I believe him!)

These bottles are old whiskey flasks from the early 1800's.  They were found in the mining areas.  I had to get a few of these!  I love the amber color.

Dog beds! 

Got to see a carpet cleaning demo.  This stuff is called Awesome and is a chemical free cleaner. It actually seemed to really work! Probably would not have stopped to watched this with my sister, we are always on a mission!!  Stopped to smell the flowers today!

I thought these little tables were pretty cute!  Love the blue one!

I had to buy this!  I usually do not buy things that are already made, I like to do it myself.  But I do not sew.... AT ALL!  TJ does any sewing that needs to be done around here.  I did not think he was up for making me a burlap table runner with lace!

I always have liked these signs.  Perfect for a guys space! Kind of a vintagy sporty sign-perfect!

Pretty colors!

This vendor has really cool industrial stuff.  These letters are made from old metal signs.  See the letter B???  Could not pass that up for the finishing touch on Bryce's bedroom!!

TJ hit if off with the pickle guy.  These pickles are from Gramp's Gourmet Pickles and are soooo good!  See, there is something for everyone at a flea market!!  :)

OK, these wood things are pretty cute.  They actually caught my eye, especially the blue one.  When I looked at the price I was shocked!  $299.00 for one!  Maybe a lot of work went in to making these, but this is from the same guy who charges $40.00 for an old crate!  Not a fan!

I think this kitchen island is beautiful!! I would love something like this in my kitchen!

It definitely was not a hard core flea marketing day.  It was more a quick get in and check it out day.  Busy weekends will do that to you!  I did find a few cool things though!  LOVE the B for Bryce's room!   I got the pretty burlap table runner and the old whiskey bottles too. 

I got them for $4.00 each. 

And do not forget the awesome pickles!  TJ found some homemade lava hot BBQ sauce from Two Fat Guys out of McHenry, IL. as well.  Pretty good stuff!

I have quite a few projects going on right now.  Can't wait to show you!!!

Stay cool out there!!!

Friday's Favorite Flea Market Find....

Remember this sunburst mirror on a stand I found at the Elkhorn, WI flea market? 

 

TJ cut  off the stand for me so I could hang it on the wall.  It is in Bryce's bedroom.  I love how the gold looks against the gray walls.  I got this mirror for $12.00.  It is a dainty pretty mirror!

Here is another pretty sunburst mirror from Ballard Designs~$149.00.

I like this one too from Bassett~$265.00.

Here is one from DFO-Global Views Mirror~$537.00.

Think I like mine the best!  :)  Vintage & unique for $12.00!! 

Enjoy your weekend everyone! 

And a special Happy Birthday to TJ!!  Even though he probably won't see this! Love you!!!