Welcome! Today I'm linking to Mockingbird Hill Cottage's Favorite Thing Saturday.
I wrote this post several weeks ago and it's still one of my favorite things (besides visiting my family in Delaware December 28th)
I'm sharing it again with the hopes that you might enjoy reading about my trip to Holly, Michigan to pick-up some Annie Sloan chalk paint. It was my first trip to Historic downtown Holly and it was also my first experience with Annie Sloan paint. I'm hooked on this paint and can't wait to take a workshop to learn more techniques.
So......I hope you will enjoy hearing about my trip and first experience with this paint.
I also hope you'll leave a comment and come back again for a visit.
This has been a fabulous week filled with lots of activities. All the holiday shopping was completed last week so this week was reserved for painting.
I'm usually always late to the party when it comes to trends. I've been blogging for almost 2 years and I first heard about Annie Sloan Chalk paint when I discovered the world of blogging. My first experience with this paint was just this week. I think Annie Sloan paint will be around for a long, long time. The possibilities are endless for creating masterful pieces with this paint.
When I'm ready to try something, I don't want to wait for it to arrive by mail. There aren't too many places in Michigan that stock her specialty paint and I didn't want to order it online. I did a quick "Google" search and discovered the closest stockist is an hour drive away in Holly, Michigan.
I don't know about you, but I love taking drives to quaint little towns especially when they are filled with antique and home stores.
I asked one of my very dear friends Betty to accompany me and we made the trip this past week on Tuesday, December 18th.
It was a gorgeous day and the town is small but beautiful! We got lucky and were blessed with lots of sunshine!
The store that stocks the paint is "Pigeon in the Parlour" The owner wasn't in, but we spoke to her husband and a couple of other women that worked in the store. They were warm and gracious. The shop is gorgeous! It's filled with antiques and lovely home accessories and they stock Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP).
We took a tour of the store and the gorgeous paint studio and workshop upstairs. The owner also teaches workshops on special painting techniques. I don't know why I didn't take a photo of the workshop. I'll have to take another trip (and get some of the great round brushes)
The owner recommened that we have lunch next door at the Bittersweet Cafe. We did and were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere and food were great! It's a small soup, salad and sandwich establishment with excellent coffee!!
We stopped in a few shops.....
Our first stop "The Cottage" was a lovely store that was just my style. Unfortunately, the photos weren't worthy of posting with the excecption of a beautiful cat named CeCe. She was a stray a few years ago and is now a permanent resident. Isn't she gorgeous? She's friendly too. She followed us all over the store.
We also visited a wonderful 2 story antique store (there are a few in this town) Interesting side note: I took lots of photos in this store but they all turned out horrible. Is it because my photography skills are lacking or......
is it haunted? The place is noted for paranormal activity. I didn't experience anything while we were there, but the owner had a few stories. They have also been featured on the Sci-Fi channel and he showed us a couple of pictures where weird faces appeared in the photos.....hmmmmm kind of eerie.
The same thing happened at the Historic Holly Hotel. The place was gorgeous inside and beautifully decorated but every picture came out horrible. The bartender had lots of interesting tales to tell. You can hear more about this historic hotel by click on the link.
We loved the Holly Candle Shoppe! Betty purchased a beautiful ornament that reminded her of her childhood. The owner was very warm and friendly. All the candles are soy and made in the shop. The scents were heavenly and the shop was decorated beautifully!
The Great Lakes Artisan Village was interesting. It features arts and crafts made by local Michigan artists.
If you've ever been to Michigan you know that we have an upper and lower part to our state. Anyone who crosses the Mackinaw bridge and lives in the upper penninsula are affectionately referred to as "Yoopers" and those who live below the bridge in the lower part of the state are called "trolls"
Notice the fancy goblets?
I got a kick out of these!
It was a great little town and we had a fabulous time! The best part, was spending time doing what I love with my friend Betty.
So.......here are my first Annie Sloan paint projects. Do I love the paint? Yes, because no sanding or priming are necessary in most cases. There is a learning curve when using the waxes.
I'll definitely need to make another trip to Holly to get some more paint, and some round brushes along with some dark wax.
Old chairs found by the side of the road. Price? Free!
The chairs have a new look!
There are lots of tutorials on the web about how to use Annie Sloan paint.
Here is a fabulous video "The Woman Behind the Paint" featuring Annie Sloan.
and......
Another video with her demonstrating a paint technique.
I'm hooked on this paint and can't wait to get more pieces to paint. I'll be driving hubbies pick-up truck up and down streets on the look-out for discarded wood furniture!
Come back to see more projects. If you like what you see, you can follow me on Pinterest. I'm a veteran pinner and you can be too!
