Red Cups and Killer Whales

Today I've read about people being mad about the color of the new Starbucks cups...still don't really get that one. And then college students and professors being mad at a college president who subsequently resigned. A mall "sterilized" Christmas so as not to offend shoppers...which ended up offending shoppers anyway. People are mad about killer whale shows so SeaWorld is going to stop having them. Isn't that the main attraction of Sea World?

If I was an alien visiting this planet for the first time and reading Twitter or the news in an attempt to learn more about the planet I just landed on, I would deduce that in order to fit in I would need to find some things to get angry about. Or I might think I need to figure out what things other people might get angry about and worry about that and change what I do in order to keep from agitating folks. 

I'm getting really tired of all the anger. I see the worrying everyone has to do about what might set others off. And it makes me sad to see so many companies making such drastic changes to their business models or people altering their lives in order to appease the angry mobs.

Why are people these days so threatened by those with different views from themselves? Why do we have to get bent out of shape over anything that doesn't go our way or seem to fit in line with our opinions or worldviews? 

It's a bunch of adults acting like children in my opinion. My kids expect everyone to do what THEY want them to do and to think exactly as THEY think and to stop anything that bothers THEM. It's my job as their parent to help them to understand that there are a lot of people in the world doing things that we don't necessarily agree with or even like. Why don't other people understand that these days?

I have no suggestions on how to change this or calm everyone down. I just had to vent a bit...before the anger takes over me and I pick up a protest sign and a frowny face and start marching around demanding everyone change everything for ME!!

It's The M-O-S-T Wonderful Time Of The Year...On TV!

This makes me SOOOOOOO happy!!

Changes, Changes, Lots of Changes

So much has changed at the cottage! As of a month or so ago, I am no longer selling Shabby Paints. It was a hard decision to make but one that I am already seeing is the right one. I was having such a hard time keeping up with the business and my family and my house and everything. So I decided to focus on all of that - most especially...myself!

My house is a mess!!! So much chaos and disorganization! My kids are not a mess but I was a mess trying to keep up with all of their activities, reports, papers due etc. And me...well, I'm overweight, unhappy and not fun to be around! So all of that is getting remedied! Several wonderful programs and support systems have fallen into place for me and I can't wait to tell you about some of the things I've been doing to make changes!

I am also excited to start blogging more about my faith, politics, and world events like I did on my old blog Wheelbarrow Manor. I had stopped blogging there a long time ago. When I started my business I really wanted to keep that Wheelbarrow part of it (read the story of why here) and the cottage just seemed to fit better for the antique part of my business. Plus, truth be told, my house and current lifestyle is much more akin to a cottage than a manor!

So, I'm going to pick up where I am now right here at my cottage!! Hope you enjoy!

Color Charts and Scrubby Soap Rescue!

Anyone else struggling to keep kids entertained this summer? We are not constant camp people. I know some kids are in different camps every week of from the end of one school year to the beginning of another! Not only do we not have the money for that, I miss my kids during the school year and enjoy the time home with them! I also think there is great value in kids being bored. They learn to be creative!

I do admit to having gotten lazy about limiting screen time and television in the past few weeks though so I decided to get a little more strict last week. It paid off! After a few hours of them being miserably bored and me being the meanest mom EVER, they got together and started writing and planning a movie. They ended up recruiting a few other neighborhood kids as well. There are costumes changes, hair and make up, and even a flash back scene. I am not allowed to see any of it until it's done of course but from the bits and pieces I've seen them doing and heard them talking about, I am anticipating an epic thriller!

They did have some down time in between filming the other day though and the "B" (bored) word was bandied about. My rule is that if I hear the "B" word, I will put the offender to work! Usually chores but this time it was a little more fun than usual. I was working on color charts to sell in the booth and online so they got to help with that and thought it was great fun!

My middle daughter helped as well but I didn't get a picture. She is the one who ran off and left the paintbrush on the table with Cranberry Bliss in it! I had no idea until a day or so later when I went to work on it some more and found a dried up, sticky Cranberry Bliss mess of a paintbrush. Yikes! Momentary panic but I then I thought...

Using my Scrubby Soap I was able to get the Cranberry Bliss mess off of my brush and continue on making little paint dots!

These will be available in the next week or so! It is taking longer than you would think and there are a few colors that I don' have in my personal stash. I don't want to open brand new jars so I'm trying to figure out a work around on that!

Meanwhile, Scrubby Soap is available in Orange and Lemon at both the Antique Gallery of Mesquite location (booth #0622) and the Amazing Again Furniture location in Dallas!

Informative and Instructional How To Video - Gelato Gel Stain

Have you used the Gelato Gel Stain yet? I haven't...and I'm NOT happy about it! It's just so crazy with the kids home for summer. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE having them home and we have a great time - going to the pool, shopping, playing board games, movies.

It's just hard to focus on anything because when we're home I'm either exhausted from whatever activity we've done that day or they're coming in and asking me things or showing me what they just made or telling me who just did what to them. I'm so ADHD that it just takes one little thing for me to get distracted and completely loose my train of thought!

Headed to the pool!!

So the furthest I've gotten on trying the Gelato is to do little sample boards which gave me a great feel for what the colors look like but not really how to use the product.

Luckily for me, Kandice from Just For the Woods, who not only does amazing work but she stages beautifully, made a video for us!  She did a bunch of pieces with the Gelato Gel Stain before it came out so that we'd have some examples to show like in this post.



Hope this helps! I'm hoping to get around to doing some practicing so I can let you know what I think and then maybe once school starts I can get a video done as well! I know it's helpful to watch how different people do it. For example, I will more than likely use a brush so that will be a big difference!

I'll be putting this video on the video section of my website if you need to see it again later!

Send pics if you do any projects with Gelato Gel Stain!

Exciting New Changes, Paint Colors and Products for Wheelbarrow Cottage

There is something about July that brings about changes to the booth at the Antique Gallery of Mesquite (booth #0622)!

Last July, we had outgrown our display and needed something new! We went from this tiny little display...

To shelves!

Later we added a second wall of shelves on the other side but I don't have a picture of that. We outgrew both of those and moved the paint to the inside of the booth on two walls!

 So fun to look back and see the progression!

So the booth is stocked now with the new colors - Americano, Goodnight Gracie and Irish Cream - and the new product - Gelato Gel Stain. You can read more about these new products here!

We're also stocked back up on Vax Applicator Sponges as well as Scrubby Soap!

A BIG shout-out of thanks to my wonderful mom and dad who yet again did all of this work!!  While I was enjoying 4th of July with my family, they snuck out there and did ALL of this!!  I'm so blessed to have their support!

The hours at the Antique Gallery of Mesquite are M-Sat 10-6 and Sun 12-6! Head out and visit booth #0622 soon!

Even MORE Exciting Annoucement: New Shabby Paints Product!!!

My last post described how I felt like a kid at Christmas waiting for the new Shabby Paints colors to get here.  Well, I can't really even put words into describing how excited I am about this next announcement!!  WAY OVER THE TOP!!!!

Besides new colors...Shabby Paints is coming out with a NEW PRODUCT!!!  We are so proud and excited to announce this amazing, revolutionary, life changing item!!!  NO!  I'm NOT exaggerating!!
Don't like the look of painted furniture but need to fix some up?  Want to paint the base of a piece but leave the top wood stained?  Just want to try something different? 

Introducing...Shabby Paints Gelato Gel Stain

Here's why you'll LOVE Shabby Paints Gelato!!  It's a Safe, One-Step Seal and Stain. No more fumes!!! Now you can have that rich, lustrous, quality finish without earth damaging chemicals. 

Gelato Gel Stain Vs. oil Based Stains
Less Mess
More Coverage
Non Toxic
Water Based
No stink
Sealer and Stain in one
Non Flammable
Better for the Environment

It comes in 3 beautiful colors: Dark Chocolate, Dark Roast and Dark Cherry! Take a look at some gorgeous work done by Shabby Paints owner Shannon and some by Kandice at Just the Woods did to preview this amazing product and be sure to go and visit her blog!

Dark Chocolate Gelato Stain

Dark Roast Distressed

These were posted by Shabby Paints owner, Shannon!

 Dark Cherry 

have a

Pardon Me, Hazelnut ReVax and Dark Chocolate Gelato Gel Stain on top.

 This shows the progression - sand, first coat, second coat!

Now, you do need to sand with this product.  Not completely sanded down but enough to give your piece some "tooth" for the stain to grab onto.  Then use a damp brush to paint it on!  

 I already know exactly what piece I'm going to be doing first when I get my hands on this stuff!  I just can't decide which color!!!

Shabby Paints Gelato Gel Stain comes out June 15th!!

Exciting Announcement: New Shabby Paints Colors!!

Shabby Paints is releasing some new colors!

 I tell ya...nothing gets me as excited as new colors!  I'm like a kid at Christmas checking my email over and over to see if they're going to be delivered soon!  

Aren't they pretty!!  They are ordered and on their way!  I can't wait to try them out.  It's hard to decide which ones to start with first!

I will let you know as soon as I get them on the shelves.  Start shopping for some pieces to try them out on!  There will be another chalk acrylic paint color (a pink almost fuscia) and a shimmer paint color (blue) coming soon as well - I will be getting them on the next order and will have them just as soon as possible!

Coming next...NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Giveaway ON!!!

Yay!  We did it!  We not only reached 500 followers on our Facebook Page...we surpassed it!  So exciting!  Thank you for making it happen!  We love our followers and customers so...the giveaway is ON (doesn't include the bench or basket shown in the picture)!!! 

It will run through May 20, 2015 so go...go...go... get entered! this Rafflecopter giveaway
And good luck!!

Giveaway...COMING soon!!

We're at 492 followers on our Facebook page! SOOOOOO close to 500!!  Let's get there and then...we'll have a giveaway!!

Once we get to 500 we'll start a giveway for an 8oz chalk acrylic paint (your choice of colors), a 4oz Vax and an R16 ClingOn! Paintbrush!!  This is a great starter kit for newbies or a way to try a new color and have a little extra Vax for those regulars out there!  And the paintbrush...the round ones are my new favorites lately!  You're going to love this brush!!

So...refer your friends, family, neighbors...help us get to 500 and then be watching for your chance to enter the giveaway!!

Cling On! Paintbrushes Restocked

Exciting news!  I just got a HUGE order of Cling On! Paintbrushes!  The Antique Gallery of Mesquite and Amazing Again Furniture are both restocked with brushes.

Look at all of those lovely brushes!

I've been using the same brushes for quite a while now - P20, P16, F30, F40, and O35.  While they are still in great shape, a few are starting to show some signs of wear.  That's pretty darn good as most of them I've used for probably about a year now.

I have always preferred the flat brushes for most of my painting.  Of course the bent brushes (P20, P16) come in handy for many different areas of projects.  Here is an example:


But...as I was unpacking the new brushes I picked up a couple of the round brushes.  In particular, the R14.

 I LOVED the way it felt in my hand!  I can't explain it but it wasn't too big, wasn't too small - just felt really comfortable. I thought maybe it was going to be too small so I picked up the R16 and moved it around in my hands but the R14 just felt better to me.  This will be different for everyone.

I knew I had to try it next! I have been working with it a little bit this morning and LOVE IT!  It's my new go to for sure!

I hope you'll try a Cling On! very soon!  These brushes are sturdy.  They don't lose bristles.  They are easy to clean - especially with Scrubby Soap.

Here's a picture of the whole array along with prices.  I don't carry all of the brushes - but I have quite a few now.  I also do not carry the brush keeper.  I personally just keep mine in water while I'm using them.

Throw Back Thursday: Popcorn and Candy Party

An email came out today asking for help during Teacher Appreciation at my kids school.  They ask people to sign up for a day and shower the teachers with goodies in the lounge.  You can do it however you'd like - bagel breakfast, chips and dips, salty and sweet for example. 

This got me to remembering when I volunteered to do a day a few years ago.  In did Popcorn and Candy.  Go HERE to read all about it.  Here are some pictures from the day.

It was a TON of fun...but I also put a TON of work into it.  I wasn't running a business back then and had a little more time to do all of that.  I'd like to do it again this year - any ideas?  I just know myself - I can't do it just a little bit.  I have to go all out with decorations and all.  Hmmmm....

'Tis The Season

It's that time of year again...busy, busy, busy while feeling awful, awful, awful from allergies!  Uggghhh....

I don't know about where you live, but when I walk out to my car these days it is COVERED top to bottom in yellow dust.  No wonder my throat is scratchy, nose is either running or stopped up, and eyes are watering!  So what is about the worst thing you can do in that situation? Be outside...right?  Well guess what I get to do a lot of?  But when they are so cute...what choice do you have?

This guy started his season this past weekend and they won!!  It's his first season of machine pitch after one season of t-ball.

It's SO fun to watch them play!  They're so little but then they walk up to the plate and kick at it like they see the Pro's do and it just melts your heart - even while you're having a sneezing attack!

This one starts her softball season this weekend!

Luckily, I have one whose activities are mainly inside ones!!  She taught herself to play the Downton Abby song!  I love listening to her practice!  She will be starting the bassoon in the school band next year.  Now THAT should be interesting! Haha!!

Coming Soon!! Beautiful Painted Sideboard

I can't wait to get this baby out to the Antique Gallery in Mesquite!  Just a few finishing touches and it will be ready!

Here is a before picture. It is an American Drew sideboard that I bought it on a Facebook Neighborhood Yard-sale group.  Don't you LOVE those?  The girl who I bought it from actually knew a few friends of mine.  I feel a lot safer buying things this way versus Craigslist.  Although, you have to be just as careful and smart no matter which you use!

I painted it in Alamo White Chalk Acrylic Paint all over.  Then I painted the drawers and top with Buffalo Brown Chalk Acrylic Paint. Next, I mixed Hazelnut ReVax, Black ReVax and Brown Bronze Shimmer together and painted that over the Buffalo Brown.  This not only protects it but gives the top some depth and shimmer.  I just love the way it turned out!

I painted the handles with a base of Cali Taupe Chalk Acrylic Paint and then added a touch of Vibrant Gold mixed with Hazelnut ReVax.

Shabby Paints Texture - Wood Filler

Even though Valentine's Day is over, I'm still thinking about love.  I have a new product that I love and a new finished piece of furniture that I love!  The product is one that I haven't talked much about - Texture.  I haven't talked much about it because I haven't used it much!  But it's a versatile product that can enhance your projects.  And like all of our products, it is NO VOC and Non-Toxic so you can feel perfectly safe using it!

For example, it can be used with stencils.  Place your stencil down and fill it in with texture, then paint!  I makes the piece look raised.

It can also be used as a wood filler.  A friend gave me this cute table - so nice of her!  She didn't even charge me - she just wanted it out of her house!

But some of the top was coming off.

So, I got out my texture and started working on it.  I would spread some on with a tiny little spatula that my mother-in-law stuck in my stocking and let it dry.

Once dry, I would sand it but it would sand down too far.  Since it was my first time to try this, I was being pretty conservative with it and kept thinking I was done so I'd paint and quickly notice it wasn't quite even.  After doing this a couple of times I asked my husband for help.  He said I needed to put way more on and build it up higher than the top of the table and then sand down even to the table.  So I started layering it on, letting it dry, layering it on, letting it dry...finally I felt like it was high enough to sand it down evenly.    That seemed to do the trick!

Then I painted the entire thing, distressed, and finished in in a coat of Vax and then a coat of Black ReVax.  I love how it turned out!

I can't wait to put it the shop and see if it sells!!

 

Shimmery Cocktail Table: Washes and Shimmers

 

This cocktail table project was SO much fun to do!  It included so many pretty Shabby Paints Chalk Acrylic Paint colors that I mixed and then made into washes as well as Shabby Paints Shimmer Paints!

First I used these 4 colors to make the washes for the inset of the top as well as the rectangles on the drawers. I made washes (VERY watered down paint) out of Dynasty Blue alone, Dynasty Blue mixed with So Serene, Dynasty Blue mixed with Lillian Gray and then Cranberry Bliss alone.  I layered the washes on over each other ending with the Cranberry Bliss.

Next I mixed Smoked Pearl Shimmer Paint with Stunning Silver Shimmer Paint.

I painted the rest of the table and the knobs with this mixture.

I just love the way this table turned out!!