One Holiday at a Time Please!

I really empathized with the FB poster a day or so ago who said -- Sorry my Christmas tree isn't up yet -- I believe in taking one holiday at a time! So true! That is why you won't be seeing any holiday ornaments around til December 1 around my house! As a matter of fact, the Halloween ornaments are still out. But since most of them are pumpkin shaped, I just turn their little jack-o-lantern faces to the wall and pretend they are Thanksgiving pumpkins! Seriously!

That's not to say holidays aren't on the mind in preparation! Been doing jingly junk with girlfriends past couple weeks for the upcoming

And also need to put together a better paint display for that event and finding the time between a blown up computer, leaky plumbing fixes, too many ideas and too little time, Saturday classes!

So forgive me if at home and the shop we aren't quite ready for Christmas! I'm still mulling over the Thanksgiving Day menu and if there will be some new offerings and what we will be serving a few days later at a party for my brother's retirement!

Meanwhile, I still have a couple clocks to adjust to "fall back!" Amazing I'm on time for anything!

New Class Dates Announced for November and December!

Some new class dates are now available because our "students" just can't get enough of Chalk Paint(TM) decorative paint by Annie Sloan!

We are repeating Chalk Paint 101 on Saturday November 3 from 9 am to Noon! Call me or visit my website to book a spot! www.tlcvintagecollection.com   Four spots still available!


Then on Saturday November 10 from 1 pm to 5 pm we will do another advanced class called "Wash Crackle & Shine! Once again call or visit the website for info. We have 6-8 spots still available. And look at the great techniques we did last time!

Announcing A Chair Affair on Saturday December 1 from 9 am til Noon. Bring a simple chair and fabric, no more complicated than the ones below. We will create a new accent piece for your home! We will do this simple upholstery job and match up paint to work with it. You will learn basics like in 101 class, but will have a new chair to boot! 4-8 people!

Join the Chalk Paint movement! Restyling your way!



Something Old, Something Re-Newed!

Some say one of the oldest forms of paint is milk paint. So now, when there is so much emphasis on "natural" perhaps it is not surprising that there is a revival of this medium. Introducting, Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Kitchen Scale blue!

It comes in 12 great colors and you can go for the chippy look or use a bonding agent so that your paint does not chip or flake. Finish your piece with wax, antiquing wax or hemp oil and the chipping stops.

Kitchen Scale is a great teal color, though it is hard to see in this photo. The six-drawer dresser with enamel knobs is listed for sale at $145.

Check with us to purchase locally or by mail Miss Mustard Seed's line of Milk Paint and products! And -- remember our first love always! We have the full range of Chalk Paint(TM) decorative paint by Annie Sloan, plus brushes, wax, floor varnish and more!

Chippy, Peeling Paint! A Repurposer's Dream!

Want some instant color and instant aging to that weathered barn door? Want some paint chipping right off that newer watering can? Well, here we go and coming soon.....

Miss Mustard Seed's Shutter Grey Milk Paint over an old mahogany red finish! Now that is chippy!!!

Marian Parson's says that the peeling is unpredictable so you do need to "go with the flow" having a piece never chip, or literally have the paint fall off -- which happened with this piece even after one coat! But it is my display piece for Milk Paint when it arrives later this month, so I am happy it chipped so much!

After the two coats, I had chipping down to the original finish and a thin layer of paint over the original finish and some two layer areas. So it does look rough. I finished the piece off with a good coat of hemp oil, which I believe will keep it from chipping further.

Here is what I learned about Milk Paint as I experimented. 1) I was not crazy about using it over raw wood. It is a thinner paint and kept soaking in. I gave up after three coats and moved onto something else! I think, as recommended with Chalk Paint(TM) decorative paint by Annie Sloan, I will use shellac on raw wood for both paints in the future to save paint and keep from bleed through of tandins or peeling. 2) Due to pigmentation, there is a lot of color variation in your final color across the piece. It is subtle, but it is there -- irregular. 3) It is difficult to anticipate how much paint you will need and how the paint will react to the piece. You really do have to go with the flow on this. 4) I did not use stabilizer in my paint for this piece as I really think I will use Milk Paint mainly for pieces I do want to look rough and chippy. However, I see some terrific pieces out there done without chipping.

Like anything, there is a learning curve. I see a lot of excitement for this product. But I must admit, I will always prefer the creamy rich, smooth, consistent texture and color of Chalk Paint(TM). Just me, but I am pleased to have a paint that will appeal to those who love the rough and tumbled -- left too long in the old shed -- look!