This is a day of great rarity for me. I awoke at the very late time of 9:00am. ...close your mouth children. Being well rested and exhilarated by yesterdays events (I will talk more about that in a bit) I decided to step out of the box of doing what I was supposed to do, or should do, and chose to do what I wanted to do. That want started with a cup of beautiful dark coffee made lighter with the addition of cream, and a tasty almond pastry. As I sat and talked with my darling husband about the activities of the past couple of days...catching up so to speak...I had a huge urge to use the products I purchased yesterday. So, let me tell you about the events...
Myself and 29 others had the privilege of taking a one day class at Faux Works in High Point with Annie Sloan. Annie, a native of Oxford England, was invited by Barb Skivington to show us her "Chalk Paints" and demonstrate the techniques for using them. OKAY...throw out everything you know about painting furniture when using these incredible paints. It took me most of the day to wrap my mind around the fact that I did not have to sand and prime everything before painting. Wow, what a revelation...of course, this is only when using Annie's products. (not for the average paint products).
Annie Sloan is an interesting, funny, and talented woman. She is very prolific in her publications. I believe she has 23 books. I actually have several of her earlier books in my library from years ago...prior to my finishing days, when my interest was strictly a side thought...Her newest books are "Creating the French Look" and "quick and easy paint transformations". Both are filled with ideas and inspiration.
Inspiration was abundant this morning. On my drive back from High Point, my mind was full of ideas of the numerous items I wanted to transform. Of course, the one thing I thought I would start with did not get touched...the lovely day called me to the yard...it was there that a random planter caught my eye. Mmmm I wonder.... well this is what transpired. I had this old previously spray painted cement planter sitting in the back porch waiting for oh say, a day just like today! I decided that this is my first item to try chalk paints with. I proceeded to dust it off and set it on a table.
Then to choose a color...ah, how about green! I know you are not surprised my my choice, being that shades of green are my absolute favorites. Well this green takes your breath away. You either see the beauty of it or you shade your eyes. I am one that adores the life in Annie's, "Antibus Green". My initial idea was using the green for the base color then using graphite over with some of the green being revealed. Well I dare say, this planter told me something else.(I know, planters can't talk, but you know what I mean) After putting the green paint on in the rather unorthodox manner we were taught, and allowing the sun to do its thing, some wonderful things happened.
A natural cracking in random places occurred. I liked it. So, I put on a clear wax, followed by the dark wax which settled into the crevices and cracks to give me an end result of an aged, character filled planter. I am not sure it needs the graphite over the top so I believe I will let this one be as is. It may end up with a topiary using the moss I collected the other day.
Being that the "chalk paint dried rapidly I continued doing as I pleased by reading. I will tell you more about that later...at this moment the scent of tasty food is calling my name...
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