~ Me and Annie Sloan, Part 1 ~

I'M BACK!

Finally

A photo of Annie Sloan and Me!
It's so amazing to think of how my life has changed in the last year.
I recently found my receipt for the very first can of Chalk Paint™
that I purchased from Patty Seaman of Classic Wall Finishes.
The date was March 31st, 2011!!
This picture was taken March 31st, 2012.
Yup...it's been one heck of a year.

lots more pics in a minute...

*

I would like to begin my post with a little story.

After being invited to teach at the Boston stop of the Annie Sloan North American Tour, I called the company travel agent to book my flight reservation.

Joe, the owner, was very friendly and also offered to secure a seat assignment.

I told Joe I loved window seats because I could lean on the wall and go to sleep and I loved looking out the window.

Sadly all that was available was an aisle at the very back of the plane.

DRAT!!!!

I despise aisle seats at the back!!

Having retired from Continental Reservations, I knew that sometimes airlines release a few forward seats as flight time nears.

A gal could hope.

The morning of the flight, at 4am, I used my iphone to check in for my 8:30 am flight.

The website asked if I would like to change my seat....

WHAT????

Could I be that lucky???

As I scanned the aircraft map....there she was 34A.

The most beautiful little window seat you ever saw.

(ok, not really, but I was pretty darn excited)

I grabbed it and headed out to the airport with a spring in my step.

After the dreaded security check..

shoes off 

body scan

body pat down

gun powder on fingers wipe

Really TSA..do I look that dangerous??

I finally got to my gate

My section of the plane was called for boarding and I proceeded

down the aircraft aisle.

As I got all the way to the back, I started checking the overhead

seat numbers and eagerly searching for 34A.

*MY WINDOW SEAT*

I spot 34A and looked down to the seat itself..

My coveted window seat is being occupied by

 ANNIE SLOAN 

Sweet Annie and her lovely husband David

are sitting in my row 34.

In her lilting English accent, Annie says..

"Oh Janet, we just scooted in, you don't mind do you?"

If you guys think I want to be known as the blogger who bumped Annie Sloan out of her 

window seat, you are crazy!!

I would probably lose 75% of my readers!!

So there I was ..right back where I began

In the aisle

But what an aisle...1 1/2 hours of delightful chatting with Annie and David!!

Annie...you can have my window seat anytime you like.

* 

Just some of the beautiful painted pieces on display

The Leesburg Stop on the Annie Sloan Tour

was wonderful.

All the attendees were greeted by a beautiful display of painted pieces all staged vignette style.

Everyone was touching the finishes and taking lots of photos.

My job was to coordinate the vignette features and a big 

THANK YOU

to all the talented ladies who participated.

You rocked it ladies!!

Leesburg enjoyed the largest turnout of the tour.

We love our Annie in these parts!

One of my favorite event times was the magical meeting of 

Marian Parsons, aka Miss Mustard Seed and Annie Sloan

truly a match made in Heaven.

Absolutely a Mutual Admiration Society happening here.

I know Marian is recuperating from surgery

and I am so very grateful that she 

took the time to attend and to showcase a beautiful piece of furniture.

Many thanks Marian..you are one classy lady!!

My dear friend and DC Metro Stockist,

Celeste, from Catfish Creative Furnishings

posing with Miss Mustard Seed.

It was so great getting to meet many readers of my blog and when they wanted a photo with me, I had to laugh.

ME...you want a photo with ME????

You all made me feel like Queen for a day!

My 15 minutes of fame

;->

If you guys are reading this...I would love a copy of those photos for my blog!

Celeste, Annie and Kelly from Stylish Patina

Having a good laugh. 

Annie does a lot of laughing.

I love that about her.

At Leesburg, I was one of Celeste's assistants.

Celeste is a very talented teacher and we had a wonderful class full of eager women.

We had a great 4 hours of painting and they all left with beautiful sample boards and a new appreciation of what Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ and brand is all about.

Annie spent about 30 minutes in each classroom

answering questions and talking about her upcoming projects.

Here is Annie telling our workshop class all about her upcoming workbook, fabric line and about her shop philosophy.

She is such an engaging speaker and so very approachable.

Me and Annie's wonderful husband, David Manuel. 

What a delight David is to talk to...he showed such a sincere interest in everyone he met.

He and Annie are two peas in a pod.

and after the event....

It was time to 

PARTY!!

Here's to you Annie!

We all went to Lightfoot, a beautiful restaurant, that was once a bank in Old Town Leesburg.

The architecture was incredible..the food delicious and the company divine.

Sloan Rangers Debbie, Bahia and Bri.

Annie, Celeste, the cute bartender and lovely Rita.

Lot's of smiles and good times!

Annie's husband, David, Celeste, Kelly and Amy.

So sorry about the quality...the lighting was nightclub style....dark.

Lightfoot's upstairs bar area....we even had a piano player singing Elton John tunes!

via flickr

Just look at this ceiling!

Everyone had a great time and we hated to see it end.

But end it did.....

BUT NOT FOR ME!!!!!!

Next post

On to BOSTON!!!!

Until next time...be kind and stay creative.

  

                                                               

PS....cannot sign off without showing my appreciation to some very smart and hardworking women.

Teryl and Lisa
and of course the grand DC Metro Stockist herself and my partner in crime...
Celeste.

you amaze me more each time I see you!

Kudos also to the home team back in New Orleans

this would not have run as smoothly as it did without you.

THANK YOU!!