Monday, December 3, 2012

A Suitcase Full of Paint

Well I'm back from my wonderful trip in the US - it actually feels like I've had four little holidays - the weekend in San Francisco with friends, travelling down the Big Sur coast by myself, Skiing in Big Bear with other friends and then a few days in Palm Springs relaxing by myself again.  I am so relaxed and full of inspiration now.


A highlight of my trip, that if you follow my blog regularly you'll understand why, was a morning spent with Michele of Knot Too Shabby in Glendora. Michele paints beautiful furniture, blogs and has a wonderful massive shop in the cute main street of Glendora. It was wonderful to talk paint and wax with another furniture lover. 


Michelle even let me paint some stuff with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It was my first experience with the "real deal" and it's much smoother than the home made version. I can't wait till it is sold in Australia.  Check out Michele's amazing work area at the back of her shop. My idea of heaven!


After checking the TSA airline prohibited items list and assuring myself that non flammable water based paint wouldn't be confiscated, I splurged and bought 3 boxes of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint (Type Writer, Shutter Grey and another Tricycle), two tins of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen and Old White and some furniture wax which I wasn't sure about it being allowed on the plane but the security guys at LAX said it was fine.  I'm very interested in seeing the comparison of MMS' wax and those that I normally use.


I also bought Miss Mustard Seed's book Inspired You. I was very happy to purchase this and support a fellow blogger, especially one so talented as Marian. This book is really lovely, full of Marian's amazing inspiration as well as more of her family and day to day life than she normally shares on her blog.



Michele had some great Christmas inspiration in-store. I love this chippy old door wrapped in fairy lights.  The old door on the left below has a photographed transferred on it. Michele has a local artist make these. (who is also called Michele and is in the photo below) and Knot Too Shabby runs classes on Image transfer so if you live locally you can go learn how to do this yourself. Michele actually gave me a gorgeous Christmas wooden plaque that I'll share once I'm fully unpacked. She said I was the customer that had travelled the furthest - and probably the one who bought to most paint in one hit!!



So I'm stocked up on paint and very happy. I spent yesterday afternoon painting some chairs a neighbour gave me in ASCP French Linen. I have a little more to do on them but they are coming along just fine.

This photo via Knot Too Shabby facebook page
If you live in LA and want some gorgeous painted furniture, vintage items or paint then Knot Too Shabby is a must. Say hi to Michele for me. Plan to spend some time there as both Michele and her shop are lovely.

I'll be sharing my thoughts on ASCP and the other colours of MMS Milk Paint that I picked up over the next few weeks. I have lots of lovely furniture needing to be painted.

What's the strangest thing you've ever brought back from a holiday?

Fiona xx

8 comments:

  1. What a great trip Fiona. Have fun playing with the paint. I've asked for MMS's book for Christmas. Looking forward to reading it.

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  2. How lovely & inspiring!!! omgosh your chalk paint sounds divine. Glad you had a lovely trip! Rach

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  3. Oh wow Fiona you are a lucky duck indeed!! Seriously green with envy :) Can't wait to read how you go with the new paint!! Jo xx PS hoping Santa brings me Marian's book too ;)

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  4. What a cool shop! Looking forward to hearing/seeing how your chalk paint projects turn out...great choice of colours :)
    xx Karen

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  5. OK I'm jealous!! Can't wait to see what you do with all that paint - something beautiful no doubt!

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  6. All sounds great , I am so ticked we were in UK in sept and to think I could have bought some ASCP but knew nothing about it (have only just entered the furniture painting life) , never mind hopefully it will be here soon , have fun with yours Fiona.

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  7. Fiona your going to love the ASCP, can't wait to hear what you think. Michele's store looked amazing so jealous. xx

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  8. good to have you back home.i bet the kiddes missed you heaps as well-love deex

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