Making “Brown” with Chalk Paint®

Posted on 05/18/2015 by Tricia

We have had a lot people asking for a “brown” when it comes to Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan.

Annie has a color called Coco in her suite of 32 colors, but Coco is more like a latte. It is similar to Annie’s color French Linen, but is more brown or chocolaty versus French Linen – which has a bit of grey to it. Coco is softer color compared to a traditional dark brown.:

So, if you are wanting a traditional darker brown- there is not one in the original 32 colors.

First, we always recommend to customers to reference Annie’s book called color recipes for painted furniture and more. Don’t have that book? Just click on the title above and it will launch you to the shopping cart. It is a great investment just for chapter 1 alone. (and there are 5 more chapters!)

Chapter 1 goes into detail about color theory and mixing colors. Annie shows examples mixing her paint and explaining what the outcome will be and why. It is really helpful in understanding Annie’s Chalk Paint® and how to create endless other colors. We suggest to consider purchasing this book if you do not already have it and to experiment with your colors. It does not take much paint at all. I usually dip a finger tip into the paint and mix colors on some card stock.

Here is one option that we played with recently. We mixed almost equal amounts of Graphite and Barcelona Orange. (we added slightly more Graphite to the mix)

Another great option to play with color to get you going in the right direction, before buying paint- is the virtual Paint Mixer Tool. This tool is not an accurate, exact representation of an outcome- but mathematically it is pretty darn close. Your monitor quality does play into that equation. And just remember though- nothing compares to working with your local stockist and playing with real Chalk Paint®. With all that said…I hope you have fun using this Paint Mixer! Just click HERE to try the mixer.

BUY PRODUCT FROM THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY™:

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady to be your one stop resource!

Now- let’s be honest- there are many places to buy from- what sets us apart is WHY we are here.

And the answer to that question- is that we are here to help you, our customers! We want you to be successful! And, just so you know, when you place an order with The Purple Painted Lady:

SOME OF THE REASONS OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:

* If you order before 3pm EASTERN TIME anyday Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that same day.

* We ship orders out every sincle week day all over the US.

* We offer the lowest flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.

* We have awesome follow up customer service, too!

And- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you. (my shameless but honest plug) Here is a link to our on-line shop=> http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/

: ) And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project! And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!Lastly- if I was helpful to you- ….please consider leaving a positive review on my Facebook business page sharing your positive experience or thoughts about The Purple Painted Lady. Here is a link to my Facebook page=> http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710 This really helps me! (wink, wink!)
XO

Trish

The Purple Painted Lady™

Using Chalk Paint® as a “Stain”

Posted on 05/05/2015 by Tricia

The Purple Painted Lady has a very dear friend named Michael. Michael and Trish have never met in person, but through the magic of the internet and their shared love for painting and creating- they found one another.

Michael has an amazing business called Lizzie White Vintage Chic. He named his business after his very special grandmother.

He will often tell people, “No, I am not Lizzie White! I got my business name from my grandmother, who’s name was Elizabeth White Herrmann. I also got any bit of talent I may have from her, and my grandfather, Robert, or as I called him, “Pop Pop”!The best grandparents a kid could ever have! Lizzie taught me about antiques, furniture, sewing, cooking, interior design, mixing color and pattern – she had such style! Pop Pop taught me how to restore and finish antiques, how to paint, build things, work in the garden, and so much more! I learned all of these wonderful things as a child, and they have stayed with me all of my life!”

Now, isn’t that the sweetest thing you have ever heard?! If you are on Facebook click HERE to visit his page- you will not be disappointed that you did!

Lizzie White Vintage Chic is constantly pushing the envelope and creating, one of a kind pieces.

Check out this table’s “before & after” using Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan.

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Michael created this unique piece by:

1. First he stripped the top since he wanted the wood grain to show through. He felt the mahogany was just too dark for the look he was going for.

2. So, as he calls it, he “stained” the top using Old Ochre Chalk Paint®. Old Ochre is the color of bleached muslin. He thinned it with water and then brushed it on, and then immediately- wiped it with a damp sea sponge to get uiformity.

3. Next, he drew on the artwork for the center of the table. He used a #2 pencil…(naughty Michael!) …because if you ask The Purple Painted Lady – she will recommend using a water color pencil , just to be safe so the lead in the pencil does not smudge into lighter color paints. In Michael’s case- he was fine since he outlined it in a dark color.

4. Then, Michael painted the starburst using the colors Graphite and Old White and a dash of Provence. Graphite is the color of dark slate. It has a depth to it and it is a ‘
“cool” slate grey/charcoal color. It can sometimes reflect a blueish hue. And well, Old White is the quintessential color. We believe it is the most popular colors in Annie Sloan’s pallette! It is a soft white that has a ver, very light touch of yellow to it.

Once the painting was done and all of it was dry, Michael sanded the top using 320 grit sandpaper.

He finished the table with two coats of Annie’s Clear Wax. A day or so later- he buffed the whole table top.

We really love the pieces that Lizzie White Vintage Chic creates. Check out their Facebook page. Show Michael some love by liking his page and let him know, The Purple Painted Lady sent you. I think you will be impressed with his originality!

BUY PRODUCT FROM THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY:

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady to be your one stop resource!

Now- let’s be honest- there are many places to buy from- what sets us apart is WHY we are here.

And the answer to that question- is that we are here to help you, our customers! We want you to be successful! And, just so you know, when you place an order with The Purple Painted Lady:

SOME OF THE REASONS OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:

* If you order before 3pm EASTERN TIME anyday Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that same day.

* We ship orders out every sincle week day all over the US.

* We offer the lowest flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.

* We have awesome follow up customer service, too!

And- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you. (my shameless but honest plug) Here is a link to our on-line shop=> http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/

Trish

Using Artisan Enhancment Transfer Gel- Full Proof Success!

Posted on 05/01/2015 by Tricia

Using Artisan Enhancment’s Transfer Gel- A “How To” for Full Proof Success!

One of our wonderful Barn Sale Junk Jubilee artisans makes these decorative terra cotta pots that sell out in our shop all the time! Amy, who owns a business called, “Rachel’s Garden” – which is sentimentally named after her daughter.

Amy recently wrote up a little post to help all of you re-create what she does using Trasfer Gel.

How to transfer an image using Artisan Enhancements Transfer Gel

You will need:

– Transfer Gel

– The manufacturer STRONGLY recommends a LASER PRINTER. Also- thicker paper (26 – 28 lb) tend to be easier to handle and produce the best results. (make sue to print in reverse if there are words)

– Scissors

– Smooth surface to transfer to

– Paint brush

– Brayer (optional)

– Water (spray bottle works best)

1. Cut out graphic leaving about 1/8″ around edges. This helps to ensure edges of graphics adhere well to surface (and prevent that dreaded “Halo” effect some people get.).

2. Apply a thin coat of Transfer Gel to surface transferring to.

3. Apply a generous coat of Transfer Gel to printed side of image. Tip: Be sure to lay image on a flat solid surface when applying gel. I like to put a piece of scrap paper under image to protect my work surface. Also, try to apply gel in one direction – Do not go over image repeatedly or ink may smear.

4. Adhere image to surface. Smooth and work out any air bubbles or wrinkles. You can use a brayer to do this. In addition, I go over the surface several times with my hand and fingertips applying pressure to ensure good contact. Be sure to go over all the edges applying pressure as well.

5. Let dry for several hours. I prefer to leave it overnight.

6. Thoroughly wet paper with spray bottle. Pat to soak through paper. Using one finger, begin to rub to loosen paper. Top layer will roll/peel off easily.

REMOVAL TIP:

I have found it best to work from the center out. This helps to ensure edges of image don’t peel.

Continue to work a small area at a time by rubbing back and forth lightly with fingertip. It’s not necessary to rewet surface at this point. It works best when just damp.. even close to dry. When most of the paper is off, I soak one or two more times and rub again very lightly to get last bits of paper off.

And…that’s it!

Here are a couple finished projects by Amy Weiner from Rachel’s Garden – Handmade.

BUY PRODUCT FROM THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY:

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady to be your one stop resource!

Now- let’s be honest- there are many places to buy from- what sets us apart is WHY we are here.

And the answer to that question- is that we are here to help you, our customers! We want you to be successful! And, just so you know, when you place an order with The Purple Painted Lady:

SOME OF THE REASONS OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:

* If you order before 3pm EASTERN TIME anyday Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that same day.

* We ship orders out every sincle week day all over the US.

* We offer the lowest flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.

* We have awesome follow up customer service, too!

And- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you. (my shameless but honest plug) Here is a link to our on-line shop=> http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/

Trish

Chalk Paint® and General Finishes Products- Stunning Piece by Nicki!

Posted on 04/29/2015 by Tricia

The Purlple Painted Lady loves a good “Before & After” story.

Here is one worth the time to check out that was done by Nicki. Nicki has a Facebook page called The Grateful Painter. Hop on over to her Facebook page and show her some LOVE by LIKING it- it will be worth your time because she is very talented and puts a new spin on using Chalk Paint®.

The Purple Painted Lady General Finishes Glaze High Performance Chalk Paint Nicki whole dresser

Nicki wrote me saying one of her favorite Annie Sloan colors is Duck Egg. And The Purple Painted Lady totally agrees because it is a universal pretty color.

CHALK PAINT® COLORS USED:

Nicki wanted to try a “faux finish” with Duck Egg– so this is what she wrote me:

I chose Annie Sloan Old White and French Linen to compliment it.

Duck Egg Blue Sample Board Annie Sloan Chalk Paint The Purple Painted Lady

French Linen with both Clear and Dark Wax Sample Board - Copy

PAINT BRUSH USED AND PROCESS:

Annie Sloan’s paint brush works well for this technique because it has a bit of a “domed” flat top.

First, I poured a small amount of each color onto separate paper plates.

(Paper plates, wet wipes, plastic spoons- have lots of these in your “painter’s tool box.”)

This is important because you only need a small amount of paint on your brush (and clean up is a breeze… just toss the plates in the garbage when you’re done!).

I dabbed a bit of each color on my brush at the same time and kind of stippled it into the wood. Rather than brushing it on where you use the sides of the brush in a swiping motion- instead I used the top of the brush and a stabbing motion (that sounds kind of scary!). (think of stipplingor pouncing like when you are stenciling)

It took about two “coats” of this technique to cover the piece. I even painted right over the drawer pulls!

Once it was dry I used steel wool to slightly soften the paint. I didn’t use sand paper because it was important for me to keep the texture created from stippling.

TOPCOAT:

I sealed the piece with three coats of General Finishes High Performance Top Coat using a Foam Brush. I like using a foam brush because there are literally NO brush stokes!!!

GLAZE: (BUY THEM ONLINE HERE)

Once the top coat was dry- I added the glaze. I chose General Finishes Glaze Effects in Pitch Black. (ps The Purple Painted Lady sells this)

Run a foam brush along the edges (only do small sections at a time.. NOTE!!! This can get messy!) and then wipe away the excess using an old t-shirt.

The Purple Painted Lady Foam Brush General Finishes

This product spreads easy so a little goes a long way! After wiping most of the extra glaze off I buffed the rest into the surface. The small crevices created while painting grab a hold of the glaze giving it an “antique” look. This product is quite fool proof! It may look intimidating but if you feel like there is too much on your piece just wipe it off with a wet rag (I did this a lot with this piece!) Make sure to put the glaze into every corner, along each line and in every little crevice!

INSPIRATION:

I had seen a dresser that Tricia, The Purple Painted Lady had posted with big gorgeous lettering on it. (HERE IT IS)

In fact- if you want to read on how The Purple Painted Lady created the dresser immediately above- click HERE.

When I say it was gorgeous, i mean GORGEOUS!! She inspired me to try a bit of stenciling. I ordered mine on Etsy from a shop named Drexart for only $35!

Not only are her designs beautiful, she changed the wording for me and emailed me samples before sending it out!

Finishing the GLAZE PROCESS & STENCILING:

Let your glaze dry overnight before using your stencil. I applied stencil adhesive that I bought from a craft store— this made it so much easier! I taped the edges (use blue painter’s tape, NOT masking) onto the piece just to make sure it was extra secure.

Next, use a flat top sponge and dap it into your paint (I used Annie Sloan Graphite). It is important to have VERY LITTLE paint on the sponge (bleed through happens when there is too much paint!). I lightly dabbed the sponge onto my stencil and then removed the it promptly after. This gave me time to clean up the bit of bleed through I had while the paint was still wet. I found these amazing little Qtips in the beauty aisle that have a pointed end and they were PERFECT for evening out the lettering. This piece had a lot of wood detailing between the drawers so the scrolls from the stencil were definitely not perfect! I used a tiny paint brush to fill in the details where the stencil couldn’t reach. Once I was happy with the finished product I let the piece dry overnight and then added one last coat the General Finishes High Performance Top Coat to seal in the glaze and Chalk Paint from the stencil.

LESSON LEARNED:

If I share any advice on Chalk Paint with a new painter it would be to JUST GO FOR IT! One of the things I love most about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is that it is so easy to wipe away or paint over. Using simple techniques like distressing, waxing and glazing has camouflaged so many of my screw ups and made them look intentional! Don’t be afraid to ask questions! There are a ton of experiences painter like Tricia, The Purple Painted Lady on Facebook forums that love to help newbies! Be confident, have fun, and enjoy what you are doing! The most beautiful pieces I’ve seen are from people that genuinely love what they do!!

Here are some additional STENCIL TIPS from The Purple Painted Lady:

Get paint on the brush and then blot some off…remember we are stenciling and do not want to have that much paint on our brush that it squirts under the stencil. Then with a vertical up and down motion- I blot the stencil. When it comes to stenciling- here are some tips to help you:

Stenciling Tip 1: Use a Professional Tool
Stenciling brushes are round with short, stiff bristles. Use it in a quick up-and-down movement to dab paint onto your stencil. This helps prevent paint getting under the edges. Never apply in a circular motion. A sponge or small roller works well too, but I prefer the brush. As Nicki stated above, Annie Sloan’s domed top brushes are ideal also.

Stenciling Tip 2: Work from The Outside In

Start panting on the edges of the stencil, working into the center, rather than from the center outwards. Again this helps prevent paint getting under the edges as you’re less likely to accidentally bump the brush against an edge.

Stenciling Tip 3: Less is More
Don’t overload a brush with paint as it will bleed under the edge of the stencil. Load the brush lightly, so that the ends of the bristles are covered evenly- blot or wipe off any excess on a piece of paper or cloth.

Stenciling Tip 4: Think Thin
You will get better results by applying two thin coats rather than one thick one. Wait for the first to dry before applying the second. Do not remove your stencil until you are absolutely sure you are done.

Stenciling Tip 5: Get Sticky
Keep a stencil in place by taping it at the top and bottom with a piece of tape. Painter’s Tape works best as it’s very easy to remove and should not pull off any paint from the surface.

Stenciling Tip 6: Go Multi-Colored
To use more than one color in a stencil, use tape to mask off areas of the stencil you don’t want in a particular color so you do not forget and get carried away with the wrong color.

Stenciling Tip 7: Practice Makes Perfect
If you’re using various stencils together, first try it out on a piece of paper. It’s far easier to find out that something isn’t working at this stage versus having to try to correct it when you’re painting on your final surface.

Stenciling Tip 8: X-rated Stencils
Old x-rays are great for cutting stencils, so if you were unfortunate and have some – put them to good use.

Stenciling Tip 9: Wash Regularly
If you’re doing a repeat design, wash your stencil regularly in warm water to keep the edges free of paint. If there’s some paint on an edge, you won’t get a crisp edge to your painted stencil. As paper stencils don’t lend themselves to washing, acetate stencils are better for repeat designs. With a paper or card stencil, wipe off the excess paint, then leave the stencil for a bit so the paint on it dries, before using it again.

Stenciling Tip 10: Store stencils Flat
A stencil, obviously, needs to be flat to be usable. To stop it from buckling, put it between two pieces of cardboard and store it somewhere flat.

The Purple Painted Lady is so proud of Nicki (The Grateful Painter) and what she accomplished! I am also honored that she shared with me that a piece I did inspired her.

When her and I started to correspond- it made me think about a video I saw on how sometimes- there are things we do, say or an event we participate in- that in general – is something we process in our history and just an ordinary moment. But, to someone else- that “moment” could have impacted them in a great way. Hopefully- the way we impact people is always for the better. I watched a quick video the other day about basically just this. It was called a “Lollipop Moment.” If you have a second and want to see it – check it out HERE.

BUY PRODUCT FROM THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY™:

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady™ to be your one stop resource! We have two locations in western NY. Check out our Information tab and come and meet us! Otherwise- if you are not located near me- the following information may apply to you. This information is directed to those who do NOT have a local stockist. Because if you do – go and meet them, shop from them and build a relationship with them. The guidance, information and knowledge they share with you – will be invaluable. But, if you are in a location where there is no one selling paint products- and you must buy on-line- consider us. With that said, visit www.anniesloan.com to find a stockist near you.

We are here to help you, our customers! We want you to be successful! And, just so you know, when you place an order with The Purple Painted Lady:

SOME OF THE REASONS ARE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS BEST:

* If you order before 3pm EASTERN TIME anyday Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that same day.

* We ship orders out every sincle week day all over the US.

* We offer the lowest flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.

* We have awesome follow up customer service, too!

And- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you. (my shameless but honest plug) Here is a link to our on-line shop=> http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/

Trish

Creating a Tiffany Blue-like Color using Chalk Paint®

Posted on 01/16/2015 by Tricia

Looking for a “Tiffany Blue” color?

Check out what Moonlight Designs created by mixing Pure White, Florence & Provence together.

Using Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan mix:
1 cup of Pure White
1/2 cup Florence
1/4 cup of Provence

Looking for a smaller quantity?

Instead of using cups- change the unit of measure to something smaller- like tablespoons.

I think it is a beautiful color! Hop on over to Moonlight Designs Facebook page by clicking HERE and show them some love by LIKING their page. Tell them The Purple Painted Lady sent you. : )

If you do not purchase through me…I hope you give us the opportunity to do business with you! We sell Chalk Paint at $34.95 per quart which is the lowest price I can legally sell it for based on the contract to be a distributor. I ship out every week day all over the US. We offer the lowest flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same. We ship same day if your order is placed before our daily UPS pick up. Also- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you. (my shameless, but honest plug) Link to Our On-Line Store HERE.

: ) And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project! And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!

Here is a little post about what I mean when it comes to customer service and what you should expect from us – click HERE.

Thanks so much!

Trish —

Like us on Facebook too! Click HERE!

The Purple Painted Lady sells all of Annie’s product on line! I really hope you give us the opportunity to do business with you!

I ship out every week day all over the US. I included a link below to my on-line shop below. We offer the lowest flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same. Also- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you. (my shameless, but honest plug) wink-wink! Click HERE to link to Our On-Line Store => http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/

: ) And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project! And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!

Here is a little post about what I mean when it comes to what you should expect from us: http://www.thepurplepaintedlady.com/2014/02/why-buy-chalk-paint-from-us/

Lastly- If I was helpful to you- please consider leaving a comment on my business page sharing your experience or thoughts about The Purple Painted Lady. Here is a link to my Facebook page=> http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710 This helps me too!

Thanks so much!
Trish

Come visit us:

At our MAIN STORE at 77 West Main Street in Macedon, NY 14502 OR

3200 West Ridge Road in Rochester, NY 14626 (The Shops On West Ridge)

The Purple Painted Lady

YES! We sell Chalk Paint® ON-LINE! Click "BUY PAINT ONLINE HERE!" below!! 585.750.6056 OR visit our shop between Macedon and Palmyra!!

Category Archives: How To

Making “Brown” with Chalk Paint®

Using Chalk Paint® as a “Stain”

Using Artisan Enhancment Transfer Gel- Full Proof Success!

Chalk Paint® and General Finishes Products- Stunning Piece by Nicki!

Creating a Tiffany Blue-like Color using Chalk Paint®