I’m sure the mister and I are enjoying our trip ’round the Mediterranean. I’m probably eating way too much cheese & writing like a madwoman.
Europe = major inspiration for a writer/designer.
I’ll still be popping in a few times a week while we’re gone, and I wanted to tell you guys about my trip to New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. I was headed there for my Chalk Paint (TM) training workshop with Lisa from Annie Sloan Unfolded.
That’s the cutie there on the right. Lisa’s the gal who started it all for Chalk Paint here in the U.S. & I was thrilled to train with her!
The office was BEAUTIFUL & I’m kicking myself for not snapping more pics while I was there. Annnd, I wanted to take pics of her house, but I just couldn’t bring myself to ask such a stalker-like question since it was my first visit.
Um, and P.S., while we were having dinner with Lisa, my daughter totally peed on her floor.
Yep. We’re here from Alabama & we’re leaving pee on your floor. You’re welcome for that. Oh, and we’re going to eat approximately 32 packages of fruit snacks/crunchies while were here. And we’ll pull out 4 baskets of toys. Oh, yeah, and we’re sort of going to have one of our most bratty days ever while we’re here.
Yeah, that’s all.
In all seriousness, the kids were terrible, Ava did pee on the floor, and they both did eat half of Lisa’s kids’ snacks, but Lisa & (her husband) Scott were awesome about it. They couldn’t have been more generous hosts–both at their office and in their home.
I’ll owe her forever, I think.
On the morning we began our training, Lisa had the room all set up with lots of paint colors & brushes–my kind of day, I tell you.
Oh, this shot. I just can’t take ENOUGH paint brush shots. That oval shaped one on this side is one of the new Annie Sloan brushes & let me tell you–they are wonderful!
They are so dense, which lends perfectly to holding lots of paint. They work really well for a more textured finish since you can use so much paint at one time. Brushing with them is cutting my paint time, no doubt. (I do have these available in my store now and they’ll be available online soon!)
The kids were at the office for a while, until the leap pad & painting all over Lisa’s floor wan’t entertaining enough. Matt graciously took them to the mall & back to our hotel room for naps.
Thank the Lord for Daddy.
We covered most of our material that day, not moving from the conference table minus washing our brushes, etc. It was lovely–who doesn’t want to sit and play with paint all day???
Oh, is that just me?
The next morning we branched out of the conference room & Lisa took me on a mini-tour of New Orleans. We (luckily!) got to stop in one of the local stockist’s shops, Creative Finishes Studio. Jane was sweet enough to meet us there and it was a pleasure to meet her & her daughter! Plus, her wall of Chalk Paint colors was swoon-worthy!
Her pieces were beautifully painted and seeing these stacks of sample boards always get me going.
Jane has a workshop coming soon–if you’re local to New Orleans, you should look her up and go! I can’t wait to host my first workshop & teach some of you gals some fun tips & finishes.
After we stopped by Jane’s shop, Lisa drove me to The Bank, an archictectural salvage stop of New Orleans. Cypress everywhere–I scored a great window that I cannot wait to use!
The trip was a ton of fun & so informative.
Even if my daughter did pee on Lisa’s floor.
How fun! I absolutely love that hutch background color…may just have to steal that for the desk I’m building.
Could you please come to FL and do a workshop? Pretty please?? I so want to take one from you!! 🙂
Hope you’re having a super wonderful time one your amazing trip! You’ve obviously been working REALLY hard lately, so enjoy the break!
Oh, and I forgot to mention that Ava peeing on the floor is about the most hilarious/horrifying thing I’ve ever heard. I’m so sorry! Oh my goodness, what a totally predictably horrible thing to happen, right? Why are they always the WORST when you really, really need them to behave! Thank the Lord we can rely on him for patience, rather than having to dredge it up for ourselves. I’d fail every single time.
Love this color of the hutch with Annie Sloan products. I want to know what color it is.
Good Evening Shaunna,
So glad to hear that you enjoyed your TTT session with Lisa, she is wonderful! Doesn’t it get your creative juices flowing when you see all of Annie’s gorgeous colors all displayed like that?
I am looking forward to hearing all about your first workshop.
janet xox
The Empty Nest
Sounds like so much fun! Minus the peeing on the floor, of course. 😉 My youngest tried showing a little girl the color of his underwear one day at the library play area (who knows why!), but ended up nearly showing her way more. So embarrassing. Does that make you feel better? Hope you’re having a wonderful time on your dreamy trip!
OMG!!! I totally giggled out loud at Ava peeing on the floor. How embarrassing!!!! It is a good thing she is so darn cute. And of course, only another mom would understand and brush it off, I am sure we have all been there and and Lisa sounds like a sweetie. As for your little ones eating all her food, if my 2 year old sees anyone with snacks, anywhere, she will go up to them and ask if she can have one. Keeps will keep you humble 😉
I had so much fun reading this post. Completely cracking up over here about your kids! These kind of stories always make me feel better to know I’m not the only one with those fun mom moments:)!
I would love to attend a workshop such as the one you have. I’ve never been instructed/ coached along by anyone who expresses the same hobbies as mine. Always self taught and I watch what others have created to steer me along. Hope you are enjoying every minute!
wonderful!
Nancy
Wow Shaunna…I can’t believe I’m just seeing this! Thank you SO much for giving us a shout out…It was an honor having you in my studio!
Does your shop sell the jars of paint to or only the quarts.
Can you tell me how much the sample jars sell for?
Thanks
Jane in Oregon
Hi Shauna,
I have been following you since the Layla at the Lettered Cottage introduced you to us via her blog. I am thrilled that you are now a stockist. So many in Cleveland still have no idea what “Chalk Paint” even is!! Goodness. Anyhoo, I have decided I want to paint my ol’ bookcase’s a drift wood color. I am in love with the gray distressed color that is in the display case featured in this blog entry from the New Orleans workshop that is holding her sample boards. . Could you recommend the colors I need to purchase in order to get that drift wood look. Thank again, luv luv luv your gift and I hope you are feeling better soooon.
Megan