I have been hearing over and over the praises sung about using Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint and Wax. Honestly the only thing which deterred me from trying it right away was the cost, particularly since I have to have it shipped as there are no merchants nearby which sell it.  as I combed websites I saw others saying you could also make your own chalk paint. I decided I really wanted to not only try AS paints but put it to the test right next to the DIY Chalk Paint. 

I have to say finding a place to purchase online was an interesting process. I was a little nervous as I wanted to go with someone reputable. I had seen other posts about 3 Oaks Studio, and so made the decision to go with them. Vicki was wonderful to work with. I have to tell you she ships at a reasonable amount, and communicates right away. The items arrived very quickly. If you are thinking of purchasing online I would recommend going through her lovely online shop. :) Click on the name or the Annie Sloan Paint picture to take you there. 

Of course the day it arrived I HAD to try it out. I decided a cabinet I had done last year needed a face lift! With a house of boys I have come to love the distressed look...and they have made the piece a little more distressed than needed. I broke out the "pot" of cream AS and got to work. I noticed right away the difference from using latex. The paint brush lines really show, but I'm ok with that. It did take two coats, but it dries very quickly here in Montana. If there is one recommendation I can make when ordering it would be to ask about color. It is so hard to tell on the monitor what you are getting exactly. The cream is very pretty but VERY yellow. I am not sure where this piece will eventually land when we move as the color is very different than anything I have in my home. I probably should have gone with white.

I went with a lot less distressing with the piece this time around. Some of this was due to the chalky nature of the paint. It was a lot more powdery than I am used to when distressing and I didn't want the particle floating around in the air when my asthmatic daughter returned home. As always make sure you use proper respiratory protection. :) 

My next project was to mix up my own DIY chalk paint. I researched online and found a recipe. I then went to our local small town hardware store, Gambles. The owner helped me order the needed non sanded grout to mix in with the paint. I wanted a particular color, so I mixed a couple of colors I already had. I wanted a Robins egg blue. I mixed 2 cups of light blue, 1 cup of turquoise with 9 teaspoons of non sanded grout. I mixed it thoroughly. It seemed more grainy than the AS paint so I used an old blender to mix it on the lowest speed. I figured out that though it was grainier when I worked it onto the piece with my brush, the grains dissolved and looked fine. One thing I did notice which was different than the AS paint was the smell. It was a lot more chemically smelling with the grout mix. 

I have since changed my recipe and directions! I use 2 cups flat paint, 2 Tablespoons of unsanded grout and 1/16 cup of warm water. I blend the water and grout in an old blender until smooth and then add the paint! Hope this helps you out! 

I decided to be a little crazy and paint a large item of furniture...one really should test a new product on something you don't mind messing up but I'm fearless when it comes to trying new things here at the house. That's what paint stripper is for right?

BOTTOM LINE:  Annie Sloan's paints and waxes are quality products. I love them. The wax is bar none the best and easiest wax product I have used to date. I honestly love the versatility of using the DIY Chalk Paint as I can make it into 100's of colors even with using Earth Friendly paints. However, I may on occasion still order her paints particularly if it is an item I wish to sell. I am very frugal and the money factor weighs heavily ... so you can make s similar product at home. 

Annie Sloan Paint: 
38.95 a Quart plus shipping 

Annie Sloan Wax:
26.95 plus shipping

My homemade DIY Chalk Paint per quart was was around $18  a quart (as the turquoise paint is very expensive) If you use a cheaper paint it will be a lot less ... more around the $5- $6 range :)

Happy painting. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! :) Hope this helps. 

 A while back I got the idea I wanted to make a sign...and I had some old wood and was thinking of using it. I had already purchased some vinyl lettering and was itching to come up with a plan. Then I was perusing a favorite blog of mine "The Real Housewives of Buck County" and came across a DIY Barnwood sign and I thought "aha"!!!! So go on over and check out their project and hopefully one of us will inspire you to create your own! 

The importance of making your bedroom a loving and creative space is often overlooked. I want our room to reflect the love we have for one another. Sometimes when you have been married a while you can get so wrapped up in the day to day you forget to make time for each other. When Seth and I entire our space I want it to remind us to be loving and kind to one another and to create moments of quiet happiness. It's important for your bedroom to be inviting, lovely and beyond just a place you snore (and believe me that cowboy of mine can snore :) This sign just might be a reminder not to smother him on a night he is sawing logs (Im teasing...sort of lol)