Going to Boston last week to meet Annie Sloan was definitely one of the highlights of my year.
I remember the first time I opened up a can of chalk paint last March. My good friend, Miss Mustard Seed, had told me about it the week she first blogged about it…and my paint was ordered before that first post was up…I couldn’t wait to try it!
It’s funny…I read Marian’s post about this and I feel so similar to her–chalk paint changed everything for me & I sure hope I’ve helped those lovely folks along the way.
You guys know the story–I e-met Patty Seaman of Classic Wall Finishes, she sent me some paint, I painted my coffee table, and haven’t stopped since.
Annie told me that when we blogged about her paint last year, there were 6 stockists in North America, and now they’re closing in close to 200!! Isn’t that crazy wonderful?!?
I clearly love this paint sooo much–I only hope we continue to compliment each other’s work of painting the town happy.
I met some lovely ladies while I was in Boston–there’s sweet, adorable Jami from Freckled Laundry & Patty. I was SO excited to meet them both & so grateful for the opportunity to be there! Patty has become one of my e-BFF’s, so hugging and laughing with her in person made my year.
The day began with a whole buncha pictures and chatting with wonderful bloggers and readers–you guys made my day & lifted me at least 6 inches off the ground for the rest of the week!!
And this is Patty’s HI-larious, fun-loving sis, Karen. I need to hire her as personal entertainment for my life. Such a fun, caring person.
And that’s my double chin. Say hello.
Speaking of fun, cool, awesome people, there’s Lisa Rickert (the North American distributor for ASCP) with me and Patty.
She and I might be the same person, I tell you. One of the coolest parts about my “job” is getting to meet other people who are crazy passionate about what they do…and man, that’s was Lisa is. I pretty much kept goosebumps the entire time we were chatting throughout the day.
And, P.S., I also met Amy of Maison Decor–and somehow had no pics with her. It was such a treat to meet her!
In addition to meeting some cool people, we got to preview some exciting things in the works at Annie Sloan. Oh, I’m excited.
And I’d be lying if I said that chatting with Annie herself wasn’t sort of monumental. Talk about inspiring. She (and everyone who works with her) was as lovely and humble as anyone I’ve ever met.
In addition to the quality of her paint, her story makes me want to support her business more–it’s this beautiful surprise on top of loving her product–they are all wonderfully genuine about helping the world get more creative & go for it.
LOVE that.
I was able to attend Patty’s workshops in the afternoon; after all the inspiration, it was quite a lot of fun to get my hands dirty & get painting!
Terri, the lovely lady to my right, and I were sort of rebels–kinda doing our own thing every now and again. It’s totally by accident, but I pretty much march to the beat of my own–and I may or may not have been driving Patty crazy, LOL.
After a full day, I could have crashed, but it was such a treat to go to one of the stockist’s shops–Sally of Counting Sheep Antiques.
Isn’t it just sigh-worthy??
Those tulips in chalk paint cans made me quite happy–and meeting Lisa & Nancy.
It was SUCH beautiful shop & the perfect place to end the day–a HUGE thanks to Sally for letting this blogger tag along!
It was an exhilarating, creative, whole-buncha-fun kind of trip–I can’t thank enough Annie, Patty, Lisa & everyone from her lovely company & all of you guys who took the time to say hello! It was such an inspiring day that had me dying to paint something.
I almost painted the wing of an airplane on my way home.
How much fun!!! I’m so jealous!! This pics are great and inspiring. I want to go paint too! I absolutely love the drippy paint cans with tulips….adorable!
I also have become passionate about using ASCP – have now done almost 20 pieces (mostly chairs) and love mixing and matching paints and fabrics and trying different techniques. Thanks for your “pioneer” work on this subject – please check out some of my great transformations.
Gerrie
Hello Shaunna,
What a lovely post and I hope you don’t mind, but I shared this on our private Annie Sloan Stockist Facebook page. Annie and the gang will love reading this and looking at the great photos (except the gawky one of me that is) :->
So glad you joined our private party that night…it was wonderful, wasn’t it?
It was a joy meeting you and chatting in the van while riding the shuttle to the airport. I truly enjoyed your company.
Enjoy the weekend
Janet xox
The Empty Nest
It was!!! And did you get any pics of us?? I didn’t get any somehow! I loved meeting you, too!!!
🙂
shaunna
Ha…don’t feel bad…it took me three meet-ups with Annie before I stopped to have a photo taken. I get so caught up in the moment and the excitement, I forget all about capturing it on film!
I know we will meet again and I promise to stop ..enjoy the moment and grab a photo with you! Hey there is always Haven!
Janet xox
Hi Shaunna,
It was so much fun meeting you in Boston! Thanks for driving shotgun with me to the reception–you are quite the navigator and kept me on track–otherwise we would still be driving! Would love to have been in your class with Patty and Karen and have seen the three of you in action 🙂 Sounds like you had quite a few laughs. So many folks tell me they heard about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint from your blog and I have been a follower for some time. It was a special treat to meet you in person and to see things come full circle with you meeting Annie and Patty and Karen and the whole crew. For me, the time in Boston was such an unforgettable experience. I love how you captured the sentiment! What a special time!
Nancy
It was wonderful to meet you, too, Nancy! Stopped by your blog today–lovely! It was a FUN & SPECIAL weekend!
🙂
shaunna
Hi: So happy I have a nice excuse to leave you a message. I just started my blog/business and have learned from your videos… thanks! I’ve been inspired by you. I hope you’ll consider looking at my stuff and critiquing! Now, I’m off to order more ASCP paint. Yeah!
Loved the article and so glad you got to meet her. I just finished my first chalk paint project and can’t wait to blog about it….So jealous you got one on one training….you didn’t need it though, your projects and tutorials are great!
Thanks for sharing your day!
I’m so totally jealous I have tears in my eyes. What a wonderful experience!
I love Annie Sloan Chalk paint, and I have been using it for a few months now. Wow! What a great product. I was wondering about the little sample pots in the first photo. I have only seen quarts-are the samples available, too?
Thanks!
Tracey
Hi Tracey! Check with your local stockist to see if they carry them! This was a beautiful little display the gals had set up, so I couldn’t help but snap a couple of pics.
🙂
shaunna
Shaunna!!!!! It was sooooo wonderful meeting you! You are such a doll!! If you’re ever out on Long Island, feel free to stop by…and stay a while if you’d like!!! Thank you so much for being such an inspiration…keep up the fab work!!!
Amanda
Girl, it was wonderful to meet you too!!! I had a blast. You girls were too kind to me…it was hard to leave! I hope I can be up that way again soon!
🙂
shaunna
PS….the Sloan Rangers talked it over and we decided that we want to adopt you ;->
janet xox
The Empty Nest
Nice blog about your workshop! I am glad you enjoyed it. I am a stockist in Tennessee. You have some inspiring posts. 🙂
Great post! Nice to re-live the day again while reading it 🙂
It was a great day, right? SO nice to meet you, Katrina!!
🙂
shaunna
What a fabulous trip. It must have been wonderful to meet Annie herself, and also all the other talented people. Wish I could have been there, I would have liked to meet you as well.
Hi – oh lucky you! I would love to meet Annie and the distributors. I have had conversations (long ones!) with Patty and her sister and I know – they are wonderful!
I look forward to see what else Annie has up her sleeve product-wise. It’s a wonderful product – it’s really revolutionized the DIY industry. No more domination by Ralph L etc (never loved his products anyway). I am a decorative painter by trade – and I truly appreciate what Annie has done. Most of the other products I’ve seen touted towards the DIYer are not good – inferior and, frankly, keep the DIYer in a beginner phase…rather than giving them the confidence and power to go forward and create.
Thanks for your post!
Linda
PS – please feel free to visit my blog and see my projects!!
I have yet to get ahold of any chalk paint! It is on my to-do list and I am dying to try it. I really wanted to go to the Annie Sloan event here in Atlanta but I found out about it too late and wasn’t able to attend. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Will you be attending the Haven conference here in Atlanta? Your blog is one of my very favorites and I’d love to meet you!
-Erin Spain
DIY On the Cheap
Hey Erin! I am!! I’d love to meet you as well!!
🙂
shaunna
Yay! I’m so excited!! Can’t wait.
-Erin Spain
DIY On the Cheap