CHALK PAINTING "It's a kind, nice thing to use." -Annie

Today, I went Chalk Painting. I've slowly been hearing about Chalk paint. First, from the blogs, and then from some artist friends. 

I heard there was a class running in high point, and after painting a few pieces of furniture the old way, I decided to see what the chalk paint thing was all about (Zack might have also encouraged me to take the class after he saw some of my creations, but we won't mention that will we?).

I arrived for an all day class at the Faux Works Studio in High Point. I loved the studio area and as I met the other women that had showed up for the class, I realized this was not a hobby class, but for real professionals. AND this was one of the legit classes around.  One person drove from Jacksonville, FL. Five other women drove in from Raleigh!  

Chalk paint basically cuts out all the pre-work, stripping, sanding.  With Chalk paint, you can just start painting your work and add a little wax at the end for depth and effects.  Very easy and cuts down the time you have to work on projects!  All the women were very excited about this paint and the owner, Barbara, just raved about it.  

I learned 6 different painting techniques and about 6 waxing techniques. For me, it was just fun to be around creatives. I'm kind of see myself one-down to most true artists because I can't draw or create half of what I want to create...but I do think I have an eye for things and tend towards the creatives rather than the non-creatives.  On my own, I can come up with some creative things, but put me in a room with creative people and my heart starts to soar and my ideas getter bigger and bigger.  It's complete bliss for me to hang out and create.  

Above are pics of one of the techniques I learned...the crackeled look. I would love to make all my baseboards look like this! 

OUR YARD RE-DO

Last winter my mom and I talked about some new garden ideas for our front yard.  In March, Zack, my mom, and I worked on bringing the idea into reality!

Here's what the front yard looked like this last March




BEFORE:

         

The lawn, is just lawn, no gardens. Nice and crisp, 

but not a lot of flowers.

The front left side of the house has two trees.

The left side of the house is just bare. (We opened

the back yard gates to get a better pic of the 

of the full backyard. For another project!)

AFTER:

   After  three months of working every weekend on the yard, sore muscles from wheel barrowing mulching, and four months of watering the yard every other day....this is our finished project. Gorgeous! and I think it adds some curb appeal as well!  

Front Walkway

(Gardenias, Holly bushes, dwarf rose bushes

and annuals to fill in the space until the perennials 

grow.)

Front Side of the House

(Pink hydrangeas, irisis, daylillies from 

my mom's garden and buttercup

(wave) petunias)

Left Sid of the House

(New Magnolia tree that should go 20 ft., rose bushes,

snowball tree, potted zinnias, verbena, gerber daisy, irises.)

Wahlah!  There are lots of young plants and a few trees.  I'm not sure you can even see all the plants we put in from the pics, but it looks a lot different. Now that the weather has cooled some, I think the trees and perennials will take off! I can't wait to see how different they look by May of 2012! 

Thanks mom, for all the holes you dug and all the free plants. We couldn't have accomplished all of this without the free plants that you bought us, that are from your yard, and your active vision.  It looks beautiful!