~ The Empty Nest winter window~Chalk Paint™~German Glass Glitter~Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint~Antique sheet music~an Apprentice~ and More~

Ha...you think the post title is long...wait until you read this post!

Get ready for lot's of photos

As much as I loved my Autumn window display.

I LOVE, LOVE my Winter window!!!!!!!

I wanted to reproduce the feel of quiet serenity after a snowfall.

The antique window greenhouse that my dear friend and blogger Connie, of Hartwood Roses, was emptied of it's pumpkins and gourds and now is is sporting a coat of snow, a lovely lit tree and snowy tree boughs...and of course a can of Chalk Paint™ in White!

The minute I spotted the tiny deer with his head tilted upward as if to gaze at something wonderful, I knew I had to give him something magical to look at.

My oldest son Billy made me this gorgeous antique sheet music wreath.

I showed him once and he just ran with it.

The real German glass glitter really helps to stabilize the delicateness of the paper tips.

As you enter The Empty Nest, you are greeted by white lights...snowy branches and TONS of German  glass glitter!

One of my favorite handmade ornaments that I am offering this year are the tree in the snow glass balls.

I just want to climb in, lay down and make a snow angel

My little Romantic Homes Magazine Winter Forest trees are proving to be very big sellers.

I'm on my third batch, so if you are thinking of bringing one home...don't wait too long!

Annie Sloan had mentioned that she loved seeing her Chalk Paint™ being used to create lovely holiday ornaments, so I thought I would give it a go.

This one was created using Old White and imported French gilding wax..hope Annie approves!

Restyled wooden curtain rings, Antoinette Chalk Paint™,antique sheet music and German glass glitter, with a pretty bow...PERFECT!

 

Love how this ribbon matches the wreath on this vintage holiday card in  the ring.

Again, Primer Red Chalk Paint™ and German glass glitter...do you notice a recurring theme here???? 

My sweet fellow Chalk Paint™ Stockist, Bri

 of 

Studio Eleven

 in Lynchburg, Va, has shared

a fun technique using Alcohol Ink.

I simply rubbed the ink on the glass with felt pads and added some finger swipes of French gilding waxes.

I love the look of these glass balls..so vintage inspired.

You can find these inks in the scrapbooking/mixed media section of your local craft store.

I am also addicted to sheet music wreaths.

I love the idea of preserving these little pieces of musical history. They remind me that their was once a time when every American town had a small music shop with an assortment of the current hits in sheet music. Now it is all digital and downloads.

And did I mention that I enjoy my glass glitter????

Glittered crowns anyone???

Dear Janet...Germany called...they want their Glass Glitter back!

On the workshop front, I hosted a picture frame class. I called it "Picture This".

Here is my lovely group of ladies that I lovingly call my Lake Anna Ladies as they all drive up to Warrenton together to take workshops with me. See the tall pretty blonde on the right? They told me that on the ride to Warrenton, she swore up and down that she was NOT going to decoupage..no way, no how!

Well after she hunted down some beachy napkins, she decoupaged her little heart out.

She really got into it and did a beautiful job as did all the ladies.

We played with decoupage, Craqueleur , gilding waxes and dark wax.

Everyone went home with a masterpiece!

Love playing with fun techniques and Chalk Paint™...my new favorite is using brown paper bag as a sanding tool between layers...buttery smooth, even over a rustic finish.

This sample board was done using Primer Red and Florence with clear and dark wax. A glaze of King Gold imported French gilding wax was brushed over the entire piece

So elegant!

Ok...here is the 'Apprentice' part of the post.

I have brought my oldest son Billy into the shop to assist me. 

Turns out he is a natural at painting and picking out colors.

This is the very first piece he ever painted with Annie's paints.

This old chair was given to me and it was in desperate need of a facelift.

Billy taped it off as we were going to use the chair as a Before and After example.

He decided on Paris Grey and doing 2 coats, only used about 1/4 of a cup of paint.

We painted right over the cracked leather seat.

Using a stencil and stencil creme from Royal Design Studio, Billy stenciled a lovely Fleur de Lis on the seat and seat back.

He took to waxing like a duck to water.

Here is the seat painted and waxed..soft and pliable.

Big Frog Tape removal and reveal...

I think he did a wonderful job.

He was on a roll....I picked up this sturdy vintage Heywood-Wakefield table at a local auction.

Billy suggested we paint it Old White and embellish the legs with handpainted rings of Provence and Versailles.

No taping off....As Annie says, handpainted unevenness is much more interesting.

Full reveal will be coming soon....I can say that it turned out so great. 

Very cottage inspired.

The Empty Nest is also very busy preparing for the arrival of Miss Mustard Seed, aka Marian Parsons.

Marian is visiting us on Saturday,December 15th from 12-2pm for an 'Inspired You' book signing. If you are anywhere within 50 miles, make a note to stop by and visit. Refreshments and fun will be offered.

Copies of 

Inspired You

will be available for purchase and signing.

                

Billy has really enjoyed playing with Marians paints.

He picked her Flo Blue for this well built accent table.

I call this my Ralph Lauren corner. Tricycle Red (many thanks Holly!)..Flo Blue and the plaid seat cover...so Ralph Lauren.

Here is a cottage dresser I have had in the shop since July and it had failed to speak to me...until last week.

In honor of Miss Mustard Seed's visit this month, I picked Kitchen Scale, which is a rich vintage farmhouse color. Billy mixed up the milk paint and started the painting, my very helpful and talented shop assistant Cheryl finished it and I clear & dark waxed it and distressed. The tops were painted in Chalk Paint™ Graphite and dark wax.

A little furniture bling on the two drawers and we called it a day on this piece.

So it went from ..."I don't know what to do with it" to "I love it".

I am planning an Annie Sloan WORKBOOK Workshop for January.

We will break open the paint cans and mix colors, try our hand at sketching and just have some creative fun!

I think Annie would love coming to a party like that...Annie, you are officially invited!

Well...that's it for now.

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

PS.....don't forget, you are all invited to my 

Holiday Open House 

here at 

The Empty Nest

92 Main Street

Suite 102

Warrenton, Va

Dec. 8th, Saturday

10-5pm

 Painting and sheet music ornament demo's will be offered along with festive refreshments.

Hope to see all of you!