A Tale of Two A's

I have a confession.  I have never ever decoupaged before this project.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit it.  I mean, it's a pretty basic craft and even kids do it, but I decided it was time when I saw the paper-mache letters at Michael's.  I already had the paper napkins and thought of them right away when I saw the A.  I remembered seeing a tutorial a while back using the napkins, so I got started by pulling apart the layers and then tearing the printed side in pieces.

I had a vision of how it would look when it was finished and this A looked nothing like that vision!  It was dark and wrinkly and clumpy.  I definitely used too much glue and paper and I think the napkin was too sheer for the paper-mache.  So, I went back to Michael's and got a second A and painted it white.  I used less glue and paper and it turned out exactly like I envisioned.  Why did I wait so long to try this?!  It's one more thing I'm hooked on now!

Have you tried something new lately?  Have you decoupaged before?  I want to hear all about it!

xo Annette xo

317.  listening to Shylee read

318.  letting go of the need to be perfect

319.  a book that draws you in on the first page

320.  making time to read

321.  the privilege of praying for others

322.  finding a new stress reliever

323.  realizing I can do more than I think I can

324.  binge watching a tv show

My First Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Project

I have finally jumped on the Annie Sloan chalk paint band wagon!  It took a while, but after visiting with Janet at The Empty Nest I came home ready to get started.  She assured me that my fear of the waxing process was nothing to be afraid of.  After a quick demonstration, I was sure even I could do it too.  

There are quite a few pieces of furniture in my house that I would like to paint.  I started out with a small table I bought back in the early 90's.  Something small and simple.  I was surprised at just how easy it was since I've never done anything like this before.  It took two coats of Old White paint which dried super fast, and the waxing with clear wax was a breeze.  No elbow grease required!  The distressing was my favorite part.  Who knew that would be so much fun!

I love how this little table turned out.  This one is going in the entryway from the garage to hold the key basket.  I have another one just like it in the guest room that will get a makeover too.  I'm totally hooked!  I'm looking forward to trying different colors and techniques.  The possibilities are endless!

Have you painted furniture before?  What was your experience like?

Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!

xo Annette xo

314.  people who encourage and inspire

315.  trying something new

316.  learning to just do it

Meeting a Blogging Friend In Person

When Michael asked me what I wanted to do on Mother's Day weekend, I knew right away what the answer was.  I wanted to take a day trip to Warrenton, Virginia to meet my blogging friend, Janet, and visit her shop, The Empty Nest.

I started blogging in 2009 and it wasn't long before I noticed she was leaving comments regularly.  When I checked out her blog, The Empty Nest, I was hooked right away.  Her creativity was inspiring and she posted some pretty yummy recipes too!  Eventually, Janet discovered Annie Sloan chalk paint and was painting all kinds of furniture pieces, frames, lamps and anything else she could think of.  This led to her getting a space at an antique mall which led to her opening her very own shop in downtown Warrenton.

The shop was full of vintage and vintage inspired treasures, tea pots and teacups, exquisite china, frames, linens, and of course Annie Sloan chalk paint and supplies.  Janet is a stockist and has posted numerous videos showing different techniques using the chalk paint.  She was gracious enough to show me how to wax and distress so I can get started on my own projects.

As much as I loved the the shop, I was just happy to meet Janet in person.  She was as warm and friendly as I had imagined.  Visiting with her made me realize just how lucky we are to have this blogging community of friends.  I've met so many people that I consider a friend that I never would have if it wasn't for blogging.  We might never meet in person, but I hope we do someday!

These are the treasures I brought home from The Empty Nest.  A painting by Janet, a teacup, and eleven embroidered napkins.

You can follow The Empty Nest on Facebook here
Have a great Monday!

xo Annette xo

305.  fresh air and sunshine

306.  day trips

307.  meeting a blogging friend in person

308.  finding a new happy place

309.  being Sean's and Erin's mom

310.  still having my mom

311.  my nephew graduating from college

312.  birthday surprises and love

313.  disconnecting from the internet for a few days

Photo A Day Week 17

Day 111 - This happened
Every time Shylee visits, this happens.

Day 112 - Season
Yay for spring!

Day 113 - Mess
Mess or lots of wishes?

Day 114 - Snack
I snack on these every day.

Day 115 - Fill the frame
More cherry blossoms.

Day 116 - I sat here
Watching Shylee play.

Day 117 - 4 o'clock
Collecting shells on the river beach.

Shylee has been visiting a lot this month.  We actually had a day without rain and could finally get out to play and take pictures.  It was such a perfect spring afternoon.

I hope you've had some perfect time outside recently.  It does wonders for what ails you!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

299.  birds singing in the early morning

300.  cherry tree blossoms

301.  play days

302.  open windows

303.  the way the sun shines through the lace curtain, creating a lacy pattern on the opposite wall

304.  the Baltimore community coming together

Photo A Day Week 16

Day 104 - Paper
Our paper shredder died and the paper has been accumulating while I keep putting off buying a new one.

Day 105 - Up
The basketball hoop at the edge of our driveway.

Day 106 - Dinner
 I kept forgetting to take a picture before eating.  This is after dinner last night.

Day 107 - Where I work
You know what my sewing room looks like, so I chose the great outdoors for where I work with my camera.  This is the street behind my house.  It goes straight to the river.

Day 108 - An ordinary moment
It doesn't get much more ordinary than laundry.

Day 109 - Fluffy

Day 110 - Together
Erin and Shylee working on a school project together.

I'm getting better at remembering to take my camera everywhere and take photos regardless of what the prompt is.  While Shylee was here over the weekend, she kept asking if I needed to take a picture of whatever she was doing!

The one thing I couldn't photograph last week was my son Sean marrying his sweetheart, Marie.  They eloped (we knew they were going to) and we are very happy for them...just wish we could have been there!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

xo Annette xo

294.  hearing from an old friend

295.  buds on the cherry tree

296.  buds on the red bud tree

297.  clothes shopping with Shylee

298.  Sean got married!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Wild Turkey In The Neighborhood

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

291.  the first sounds of lawnmowers 

292.  the smell of fresh cut grass

293.  being able to see the beauty all around

Photo A Day Week 15

Day 97 - A shape
This is the shape in my front door.

Day 98 - Beauty
Pink nails and stickers.  This is beauty to a seven year old.

Day 99 - Breakfast
Plain Greek yogurt mixed with crunchy peanut butter, splenda, and vanilla.

Day 100 - Inspired
Shylee received a drawing pad for her birthday and was inspired to draw Annie.

Day 101 - Dark
This is from the archives because I just kept forgetting to go out after dark.

Day 102 - This smells so good
Hot cinnamon spice tea.  It fills the whole house with a yummy cinnamon scent.  I drink it every day!

Day 103 - Something green
The new clock in my sewing room.

It was a whirlwind of a week having Shylee here during her spring break.  She turned seven and I'm still in denial that she is that old already.  We had a lot of fun and she kept me busy.  I'm recuperating today and trying to adjust to the quiet again.  I miss her!

xo Annette xo

285.  Shylee turned 7

286.  birthday cheesecake

287.  squeals of delight

288.  the cashier who took the time to explain the receipt and change to Shylee

289.  hearing Erin talk about the job she loves

290.  watching Shylee's creative side emerging and developing

Photo A Day Week 14

Day 90 - On my table
I could have cleaned it off and made it look pretty, but I'm keeping it real!

Day 91 - Two tone
The single hydrangea in the bouquet on the table.

Day 92 - Lunch

Day 93 - Building
Erin was driving me around the town she just moved to, and I spotted this little mausoleum in the back of a cemetery.  It moved me.

Day 94 - This is good
Getting up early to capture the sunrise.  This is good.

Day 94 - I stood here
I stood here on my front porch and watched the sun set.

Day 96 - Egg
A hand painted wooden egg from Poland.

I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend.  This is the first Easter that there was no chocolate in the house, and I didn't even miss it!  It was also the first Easter that it was just Michael and I.  We missed having a houseful of chatter and laughter.

I hope you have a marvelous Monday!

xo Annette xo

281.  birthday shopping for Shylee

282.  planning birthday surprises

283.  the first spring thunderstorm

284.  sleeping with the window open