The weekend is almost here and Southern California is HOT

It's not easy to get back into a routine when you've been away, at least for me anyway.

Last week I was conducting training for new Stockists that have recently joined our team and also taught an All Day Annie Sloan Workshop in South Carolina. It was a great time and is always wonderful meeting people from different locations in the U.S.A. I must say, Southern hospitality is over the top and I will be looking forward
to reciprocating when they come visit Southern California for some advanced classes.
Us "southern" ladies know how to make the paint fly and laughter ring.

Jennifer, Sandy, Lynette, Donna and Eric - South Carolina Stockists - WELCOME to our team.

While I was conducting the workshop, Lynette and Donna demonstrated how to begin and finish a project in a day. Take a look at a cabinet Lynette picked up at a garage sale the morning of the workshop. We placed it in the workshop the "repurpose" of this tired piece took place. They used Old Violet as the base, Henrietta inside the cabinet and Paris Grey over the Old Violet. Old Ochre was used as accent. A little distressing, crackling and "waa-laa" a beautiful finish was created.

BEFORE....a very tired piece of furniture

AFTER....from tired to "alive and vibrant"

a little old ochre to accent the details

just a little crackle to show enhance it's era

After the cabinet was completed, the workshop was over, we decided to keep on painting, after all, with so much happening in the world of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, there isn't much time for painting furniture ourselves, we are too busy teaching and promoting our beautiful products. A little wine, lots of laughter and
a huge OOOOOOOPS took place. You got it, a painters worst nightmere, I knocked over a can of Aubusson Blue and it FLEW all over the drop cloth, my foot and even managed to make it's way to the carpet. One thing we re confirmed.....it sticks to anything, even feet, and we were able to get it out of the carpet by soaking it with water and blotting it up. I'd show you pictures but I think everyone has
seen spilt paint and it really isn't very exciting if you know what I mean.

Today I leave for Scottsdale, AZ where I will be conducting an All Day Annie Sloan Workshop hosted by talented Anna Sadler and her husband Scott of Surface Refinements. This workshop is also hosted by Designer Debi Weber at her studio.
We will have a great time and paint will FLY once again all over the desert.
It will be fun to be there for a couple days as that was my home and where my painting/design company was located for over 12 years. I know you can't "go home again" but it's always fun to see what changes have taken place and reconnect with old friends.

Sunday I fly to Portland where I will meet up with the other West Coast Annie Sloan Stockists for two days of getting to know each other an planning events up and down the coast that we will all participate in together. Very exciting and much needed to share our business's and what is working as well as what needs improving. I am
crossing my fingers that it RAINS.....it's been a hot hot Summer in So. California and I want coooooooool. One of the neat things about this 'gathering', I get to see and spend a little time with my daughter Kellyanne who is a Stockist in Washington State and her sister Kim (the daughter I never had) from The Bella Bungalow in Arlington, Wa. I always love to share time and spoil Kellyanne just a little...proud mothers can do that you know.

For some reason I am not able to load anymore photo's or I would post a photo of the two newest Mini-Stockist in Southern California. I will introduce them anyway and put a face to their names in a later post.

Cindi Rowley will be spreading the word from Valencia to Santa Barbara, Ojai and Santa Maria.....what a talented artist Cindi is and a huge asset to our team.

Yolanda Burrows will be spreading the word from her Crestline shop, My Favorite Things, to Big Bear and Arrowhead. Welcome ladies to our awesome Southern Calfornia Team....I look forward to supporting all your efforts and watching the "paint fly" from your areas.

Have a great week and weekend......and next week I will post all the happenings for the Rancho Damacitas Benefit at South Coast Winery for our 2nd California Paint 'n' Wine Country Workshop