Well, it seems cramming for our workshop worked out just fine.
At 9:35 a.m. on Saturday morning, the first guest arrived, and I answered the door with egg mcmuffin in hand.
Since we had 14 ladies coming for this workshop, we decided to host it in our home to have as much of everything we needed on hand–and to give them plenty of room. (P.S. I was also incredibly nervous and figured if I were in my own house it wouldn’t be so bad.)
We still wanted to have everything out and available for the girls to see, so we set up a shop of sorts in our entry.
I had all of our Chalk Paint™ sample boards out–and some special treatment samples I had done. I totally dig seeing them all out like this!!
I found a Japanese sugar mold at an antique mall in Florida–it’s pretty perfect for displaying brushes!
Everyone started arriving and it was so much fun to see them all excited about the paint and meeting one another. Most were readers of the blog, and can I say what a pleasure it was to spend my day with some of you guys!! By the way, every photo was snapped in sheer minutes. I realized I hadn’t taken any photos as people started arriving–so they kindly waited while I hurriedly snapped a few.
We covered 5 treatments during this workshop & all the materials were provided by me and the mister. Everyone also got a (cute!) t-shirt with our logo (those coming soon), a hand painted color card, one of Annie’s books, plus all of their materials. I really want my workshops to be casual and informative, so we had every color out–I wanted everyone to be able to see them all, and they each chose a color to paint their wooden craft frames.
Anna Lauson was out of town, so Natalie was my partner in crime for this workshop (and my husband, Matt). Nat took some of my old Chalk Paint cans to the florist–and I LOVE how they turned out. I’m pretty sure they’ll remain little vases around here.
We got started a little late because we were all so chatty–I LOVED meeting so many of my readers. You ladies were a BLAST & no, you didn’t bother us at all with taking pics all over the house. Even though Kara blogged about our unfinished bathroom. Everyone came from different places, and it was really powerful for me to be reminded of how Perfectly Imperfect should be interacting with our readers. It was an amazing experience painting with you girls!
I hope I’m not leaving any of the bloggers out, and if I am–let me know and I’ll correct myself. Kara, in the pink sweater there, writes a blog called LifeEclected, featuring DIY projects & things that inspire her. She inspired me by bringing a jar of all natural dark chocolate sauce to us. We have already consumed it all.
Dangerous stuff.
Sitting beside her in the black and white stripes is Anna of A Good Home. She brought me the prettiest linen tea towel–more on that & her shop very soon.
I just love seeing that table full of paint mess & sample boards coming together!
I wanted to snap a pic of everyone, but alas, we ran out of time–here’s Sandi & Joanna. Sandi and her friend June came up for the day, and she brought me the loveliest gift I’ll share with you soon. It literally made me tear up upon opening it. Besides having fun painting with like-minded gals, seeing everyone enjoy themselves and gain confidence with the paints made my year. It gets me really jazzed up about this next year and what it holds. We’ll be working on a new ebook, and hosting workshops every month–and here’s some news: we are considering opening our own studio space.
If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have guessed that by now.
We’re honestly following God’s lead on this, and waiting for the right space to become available. The idea behind it–I want it to be a place where the blog comes to life. A place where I’m able to share with you guys on a personal level.
I’ll share more details about that soon if that’s where we are continually led, and I’m telling you, spending time with these women was such a blessing, especially 2 days after my grandmother’s funeral. You each blessed me with such encouragement, and the minute you left, I was talking 90 to nothing, dreaming and planning PI’s future.
Being around each of them (and many things happening the last few months) reminded me of the passion in which this blog began, and the real message behind it. Since this business is growing with many facets (and employees), I want our mission to be the same–whether it’s an ebook sold, a blog post read, a box packaged with paint, or a workshop put on for each of you–our heart has to be one in the same.
Hence, our mission statement…
Perfectly Imperfect began as an imperfect girl’s hobby. Somewhere along the way, it became a mission. To provide real families with real inspiration for real homes. To share easy DIY projects, room redo’s, & furniture painting tutorials, but it will never stop there. Perfectly Imperfect is all about the home, not the house…the life behind all the stuff. We want you to grasp that you have the ability to have the home you want…now. We aim to inspire you to pick up a paintbrush, nail some boards to your (perfect) walls (if you so desire), to celebrate life’s imperfections and create amidst them anyway. To go for it…in your homes & in your life. Whether it’s the blog, or the online shop, one of us shipping paint, or the new studio adventure…we know that you are what this is all about. Your homes, your families, your lives and the imperfect beauty that lies within all of them.
*****
My humblest thanks for allowing me to be a part of your journey to creating in your homes–thank you all for reading, commenting, emailing, tweeting. Thank you for believing in me–I certainly believe in each of you!
P.S. I hope you’ll stay tuned for our writing room redo–we are finishing up today!
You have inspired so many of us. Not only with your beautiful writing and gorgeous furniture, but with the push that you constantly gives us all. I love how you are always telling us to go for it and believing in us as much as we believe and know that you can.
Have a Blessed Day.
Thank you, Brandy! SO sweet of you to say!
🙂
shaunna
Shauna has been a talented artist for many years but I’m beginning to hear some regurgitated material. I recently read some of the same lines by an artist in a local magazine.
Granted, ideas are copied or modified frequently. I just wish I didn’t get the feeling that one of someone’s perfect imperfections was envy… or the desire to reclaim the spotlight. It speaks loudly when you’ve followed a blog or Facebook for a while and the tone and pattern changes and suddenly closely parallels another artist.
With that said, I still enjoy the blog and great work ladies. Look forward to seeing more work.
Hi there! Thanks for reading and for your comment. I wanted to point out that while I understand sometimes things are said similarly in the world of creativity–if you’ll travel way back to the first blog post around here, you’ll see that celebrating imperfections was something we talked about that very first post. It’s sort of a theme for our lives. 🙂 I truly do strive to keep this place a positive one, filled with embracing imperfections and loving on our readers. Here’s some examples from different time periods…
https://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2012/05/in-honor-of-mothers-day.html
https://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2012/02/our-living-room-on-a-normal-day.html
https://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2012/01/word-of-the-year.html
https://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2011/12/whats-in-store-for-2012-your-input.html
https://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2011/12/my-small-gift-to-you.html
https://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2011/11/perfectly-imperfect-blog-story.html
https://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2011/03/authentic.html
https://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2010/09/where-i-blog-and-a-video-for-you.html
https://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2009/12/the-first.html
I hope this shows that we’ve been imperfect the whole time we started this little blog. thank you again for reading!
🙂
shaunna
I really wish I could have gone to this! It looks like so much fun! I love your mission statement and what you and your blog are about. Thanks for keeping us inspired!
Thanks, Alicia! Thank Y’ALL for keeping me inspired!
🙂
shaunna
🙂 looks like so much fun!
It was, Jessica!
🙂
shaunna
I want to say your mission statement is beautiful. It is all about the home and not the house. You have inspired me so much and gave me the courage to try new things in my own home. Thank you for sharing and encouraging us each day.
Thank you, Cathy. Thank you for reading, and for commenting today!
🙂
shaunna
The workshop looks fun — and informative! I just read Kara’s post too and laughed out loud 🙂 I love chalk paint & have used it for several projects, but had no idea that you could obtain a “crackle” type finish with it! Please share the technique soon. Thank you!
Thanks, Jody! And yes, Kara is great and it cracked me up, too!
🙂
shaunna
It was such a wonderful day 🙂 The minute I got home I made my husband sit on the couch so I could show him all my sample boards right away!
I can’t believe you were really nervous; you didn’t show it! Thank you, again, for having us in your home. It was such a pleasure to meet you and get to hang out for an afternoon. And thanks for the shout out 🙂
Anna! I’m Sooooo glad you enjoyed it! I hope he told you how great they all were! I was good by the day of, but before I was kinda worried I’d blow it. It turned out just fine, though. Thank you again for everything, especially for coming and my sweet gift!
🙂
shaunna
Shaunna! OMGoodness, how exciting! I’m very happy for you. I love the t-shirts, they are so cute! Did you ever think, you would be here today. I so wish I could keep on top of my blog! Happy you are feeling better. If I ever make it to your end of the country, I would definatly take a workshop. Congratulations!
Wow! Your mission makes great sense… through it your true spirit, heart and intention are clear to us readers as an inspiration – especially the ones who show up uncharacteristically early! Thank you for the amazing time and a thousand apologies for pre-blogging the bathroom and breaking any newbie blogger code – works in progress are truly beautiful, like messy seasons in our lives, should be appreciated for what they are… thank you Shaunna!
Awesome post Shauna! Your home made a great workshop space~I really think you pulled a perfect 10 on this event~~~!!
Shaunna, your class looked like so much fun and I love the flower arrangements in empty chalk paint cans. x
Can we just say “gorgeous”? What state do you live in – I am dying to know if you live near me so I can attend one of your workshops 🙂
Wow Shaunna! Would have loved to have been at your workshop~Kudos!
Well…one down and many more to go…isn’t this a great way to live life..creating and making friends along the way. I love what this paint and the woman/company behind it has meant to all of us Stockists. Now we get share it all!
You rocked it guys!!!!
janet xox
The Empty Nest
What super fun!! I loved reading about it and am so glad I found your blog recently:0)!!
Shaunna,
Love your house, love your blog and LOVE ASCP! When is your next class and how do you sign up?
Everything looked so beautiful!
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
You always inspire me! I like your tee shirts too, they are really cute
Thank you, Suze–I thought they were fun, too! Thank you for commenting!
🙂
shaunna
I wish I could have been there. Everyone looks so happy being with you in your home.
(The flowers in the paint cans is a perfect touch for your table.) Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Deb! We had a great day–I actually first saw flowers in paint cans in magazines, and one of our sweet stockists, Sally Barker, had them in her shop. I can’t really take full credit for that idea, lol!
🙂
shaunna
Looks like y’all had so much fun, wish I was there! I’m sure I’ll make it to one eventually. Would probably need to spend a night at a hotel, though- any budget friendly recommendations for future reference? 🙂
Shaunna,
You are so talented and are so blessed to be doing what you love! I’m not a blogger, just a mother of two young boys with a full time job! :). You have inspired me with what little bit of time I have to create a beautiful yet functional home for my family. I check in often to see what new project you are working on. I really wish I could’ve attended your work shop, but from the sound of it I may have another opportunity! I would be thrilled to meet you and learn from you. I look forward to see what you have in store for us readers in the near future. Looking forward to driving down from Prattville to check out your shop when you open the doors!!
Thanks, Sandra! What very sweet things you said!! I hope you can come, too!
🙂
shaunna
Your mission statement is beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. You are such an inspiration to so many of us. Thank you for sharing your talents, dreams and fears with us. I cannot wait to see what God does in your life & I am so grateful to be able to take the journey with you. I hope to attend your next workshop & finally meet you!
Jessica! Now I’m tearing up. I cannot wait to meet you one day, either! YOU are the inspiration, my dear.
🙂
shaunna
learned 2 things today – you painted your hutch in french linen – missed that post somehowl..
also and really surprising as i’ve read your blog for years – you have an adorable dog… i was so surprised…cutie doggie..
workshops look like great fun at your home…
best of luck to you Shaunna.
xo
Patty
Hey Patty!! I did! I actually haven’t even done the reveal post, yet. Kara snapped one while she was here, though. 🙂 Yeah, our pups have only made it 3 or 4 posts…look closely in living room shots (they’re white and blend in with the slipcovers!)
🙂
shaunna
love the hutch and your pup(s) too.. no wonder i missed the pups there is always so much awesomeness (is that a word??) going on at your home.. love everrything you do and wish i lived closer to take part in your workshops. Good luck wishes being sent to you.
Patty (Cape Cod friend)
What a great post! You all look like you had the best time, can’t wait for your shop!!
This looks like it was a fun day, and I really couldn’t be more excited for you!!! It’s always best to rest in Him and wait on God’s timing and plans! I swear I still don’t remember how I came across your blog, but I have learned so much from you and you have definitely influenced me for the better as a person and blogger. Thank you!
I get so excited reading your blog! It inspires me to go make something. 🙂
Your house is beautiful, I love your chalk paint and I hope you can fulfill your dream and open up your own studio.
God bless you!