Quite Simply...Beautiful Things Link Party

Weekly Link Party

Quite Simply...Beautiful Thing

This weeks features:

Doodles & Stitches brings new life to a wonderful pie safe with history.  In the family for many, many years...the outside get's a coat of Duck Egg and nicely distressed!  The inside is painted in Old White.  With most of the original hardware still intact, milk knobs and latches, we are in love!  Thank you Nicole, super job. 

Daisy Mae Belle shares with us how her oldest daughter is now coming around and catching the creative bug as well.  Not a fan of yard sales in the past, a creative teen is now looking forward to the warm season paving the way to pounding concrete, pavement and turf in search for yard sale treasures. Didn't she do a beautiful job with this old rickety ladder, turning it into a ladder bookcase?!  Melissa, we're thrilled you shared a new chapter in your life with us. All the best!

It's time to Link Up this week!

Please share in our Link Party, here are the details:

1.  Feel free to share all your beautiful things! If you are linking painted pieces, they MUST be painted with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan or Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint ONLY

2.  Please post a permalink to your post only, not your entire blog.

3.  Please help spread the word about our weekly Linky Party- Grab our button on the sidebar.

4.  Party closes on Thursday, February 28th at 11:59 pm. We will pick more people to feature.

Start Linking!

Features and Benefits of Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan

Many of you have may already know this, but for those just learning about Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan you need to know...

There are five very simple features and benefits of painting with this amazing paint product.

Once you've tried it, you will never want to use another paint ever again!

Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan

Features and Benefits:

1. The BEST paint on the market for furniture

2. No sanding, stripping, or priming needed

3. Quick dry time

4. Extremely low VOCs

5. Great value, save time and money

Chalk Paint® is so easy to use!  Once you do begin using this product you'll kick yourself for not trying it out sooner. It is the easiest way to change or update your furniture.  Whether you have an existing piece of furniture at home, inherited an antique or found a curb-side "I'm Free" item that you've been wanting to paint but have been hesitant...it's time!

No need for priming, sanding or stripping of your existing finish.  Save some time and money and start painting, you'll get the coverage needed.

The drying time of Chalk Paint® is quick.  It's not necessary to have your furniture sitting for a days while the different layers and applications dry.  The fast dry time allows for quick turn-around and you can be done the same day!

This amazing product is water based and eco friendly.  With extremely low VOCs there's virtually no odor. 

Chalk Paint® costs $36.95 per quart. Being able to paint with no extra charges or time on stripping agents, primer or sanding is priceless. The paint covers more and uses less than traditional paints. We have many customers that paint multiple pieces start to finish and back in place in one afternoon.  

The average cost of Chalk Paint® is $10 in product per piece of furniture.  What a great value! Chalk Paint® is extremely versatile and allows you the freedom to be creative and expressive.

Build your Chalk Paint® Toolbox

Chalk Paint® products & supplies are available to purchase from our online store:
SHADES OF AMBER 

and our store in Monument, Colorado
125 Second Street

We're here to help you Build Your Chalk Paint® Toolbox.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to give us a call.
719 265.9921

Quite Simply...Beautiful Things Link Party

Weekly Link Party

Quite Simply...Beautiful Thing

This weeks features:

From ashes to light...The Tattered Treasures has a bright idea!
 A vintage standing ashtray is repurposed, just brilliant.

The ashtray section is turned upside down and a nightlight is created.  Beautifully repurposed and brought back to life, thank you  so much for sharing.

The Tattered Treasures

Midcentury Modern breathes new life.  The New Normal paints up a mint condition dresser and finds the perfect home in this dining room.  Painted in French Linen Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan and the draw pulls take on an oil-rubbed bronze finish. This old beauty has new purpose in our century, great job!

New Normal

It's time to Link Up this week!

Please share in our Link Party, here are the details:

1.  Feel free to share all your beautiful things! If you are linking painted pieces, they MUST be painted with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan or Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint ONLY

2.  Please post a permalink to your post only, not your entire blog.

3.  Please help spread the word about our weekly Linky Party- Grab our button on the sidebar.

4.  Party closes on Thursday, February 21st at 11:59 pm. We will pick more people to feature.

Start Linking!

Wax ON - Wax OFF with our "Secret Weapon" for Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan

Using the proper tools of the trade is so important when painting with Chalk Paint®.  It doesn't matter whether you are an expert with Chalk Paint® or just beginning.  Knowing what and how to apply each product needed for your project is key!

If you're preparing to paint a piece of furniture with Chalk Paint® for the first time and you're not quite sure how it works, here's a great tutorial about How To Use Chalk Paint®.

By far, we get the most questions about the waxing process.  There is nothing difficult about it, it is just different than what most people are used to.  Our tutorial above goes through the process, step by step in how to apply the paint and wax correctly. 

I love our wax brushes made specifically for soft wax.  The highest quality brushes in the industry by far, made from the finest Shanghai white bristle.

Wax Brush


But what I'm really excited to share with you is one of our favorite tools!
Our "secret weapon" is high quality Rymplecloth. 

Rymplecloth-Large

It looks similar to your ordinary cheesecloth but it's not.

Rymplecloth is a purified, unbleached cloth made of 100% cotton woven fabric with a unique crimped and twisted weave.  These natural yarns are more absorbent than traditional cheesecloth.  This kind of absorbency allows for a smooth and even finish for waxed furniture.  The unique crimped design provides more surface area for trapping, collecting and removing excess wax.  The texture of the cloth ensures little waste of the product.  Rymplecloth can also be used to buff the waxed finish. 

Rymplecloth - Small

Small and large size rolls are sold online.  Simply click on the images to place your order today!

Once we started using Rymplecloth, it made such a difference in the wax finish!  Such a simple thing - whenever our customers have a wax issue and switch to this - the problem is always solved.  We even have customers in the store buy it for other reasons as well - mixed media art, decorating, silverware, etc.  Someone even made a gorgeous rose wreath out it, we love it!!  

 We also carry Soft Wax® in clear and dark.

Annie Sloan Soft Wax - Clear

Annie Sloan Soft Wax - Dark

When you're using good quality products there really is no room to cut corners.  
Wax On - Wax OFF with only the best. 

Quite Simply...Beautiful Things Link Party

Weekly Link Party

Quite Simply...Beautiful Thing

We hope everyone is fairing well with all the storms around the country!  It sure is cold here in Colorado, I am ready for spring...but we have a long way to go yet.  Instead, let's look at some beautiful projects linked up last week:

Fist up, a Chalk Paint® kitchen makeover!  

It is such an amazing transformation, 

I just had to include the before:

Elyse from Shabby Sweet Tea did a fantastic job on her kitchen using Pure White with a Paris Grey wash.  She really brightened and enlarged her kitchen with the colors and materials she picked, love the subway tile backsplash too!  Elyse, your kitchen is simply stunning!!

 Love this cute little desk that The White Pear Tree linked up.  Can you believe she found this sitting on the curb?!  Wow, talk about turning someone else's trash into treasure, what a beautiful job - painted in Paris Grey with Old White accents.  

Great stenciling too!

It's time to Link Up this week!

Please share in our Link Party, here are the details:

1.  Feel free to share all your beautiful things! If you are linking painted pieces, they MUST be painted with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan or Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint ONLY

2.  Please post a permalink to your post only, not your entire blog.

3.  Please help spread the word about our weekly Linky Party- Grab our button on the sidebar.

4.  Party closes on Thursday, February 14th at 11:59 pm. We will pick more people to feature.

Start Linking!

Annie Sloan Fabric Collections mixed with Dash and Albert Rugs for your Home

Are you looking for a fresh new look this Spring?

Mix colors and patterns for a change your friends and family will swoon over.

We have just what you're looking for...

Annie Sloan Fabrics and Dash & Albert Rugs.

They go together like peas & carrots!  

Come in and peruse through our exclusive Annie Sloan European Fabric Collection!  They are just lovely, all imported from France and Belgium and most are 100% cotton. 

 Incredibly versatile prints and patterns that fit in beautifully to any decor style.

 The fabrics also coordinate perfectly with Annie's Chalk Paint® colors  

Also, in the store is the full collection of Dash & Albert Rug samples and a large selection of in stock rugs. Make your purchase and take them home today.  

Take a look at these pairings...

If you live in the area, take a few photos of your space and bring them in to the store.  Let us help you choose the Annie Sloan Fabrics you like and we'll find the perfect Dash &Albert Rug to coordinate.

Have a beautiful weekend!

Quite Simply...Beautiful Things Weekly Link Party

Weekly Link Party

Quite Simply...Beautiful Thing

This weeks features:

Okay, maybe I'm a little biast...it's John Denver after all.  He wrote Rocky Mountain High and we are so blessed to live at the foot of the Rocky Mountains!!  Susan with Simply Vintageous...by Suzan added a quick dry brush of Pure White to a pallet and left some wood showing for a nice rustic look.  Then applied words to another John Denver song with her trusty Sharpie.  Suzan really loves John Denver! It's just lovely. 

Kim with Made In A Day shows us how she updated, what she calls her "so so" china cabinet by making it a more stylish entertaining hutch.  Before, her glassware and dishes disappeared with the mirrored background.  Kim strategically placed nice woven baskets filled with her lovely dishes.  After, a very simple transformation for a wonderful focal point.  Great job Kim!

It's time to Link Up this week!

Please share in our Link Party, here are the details:

1.  Feel free to share all your beautiful things! If you are linking painted pieces, they MUST be painted with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan or Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint ONLY

2.  Please post a permalink to your post only, not your entire blog.

3.  Please help spread the word about our weekly Linky Party- Grab our button on the sidebar.

4.  Party closes on Thursday, February 7th at 11:59 pm. We will pick more people to feature.

Start Linking!

DIY Hot-Process Soap and other fabulous Natural Products

We have been workshop maniacs this month!  

Two Chalk Paint® classes and a Vintage Valentine Card Class yesterday.

But that's not all... Saturday we're hosting a Soap Making Class.  We'll be learning the basics of hot-process soap making.

A hands-on learning experience designed to introduce the steps and procedures to handmade soap.  The class will cover all beginning aspects of soap making that include:

*  Introduction to and History of handmade soap *

*  Hot process vs. Cold process soap *

*  Safety guidelines *

*  Steps and procedures *

*  A beginner's guide to natural scents and colorants *

Each class participant will take home some soap made during the workshop along with recipes to make more at home!

This fun class is presented by Eden Springs Natural Products which we carry in the store.

Eden Springs Natural Products are so amazing and popular we've had a hard time keeping them stocked on the shelf!  

For Colorado's cold, dry climate during the winter months I highly recommend the Lotion Bars.  Designed to keep your skin moist and soft during the harsh months.  It is best used just after a shower while skin is still damp, but can be applied any time your skin feels dry.  It is made only with real, high quality oils and beeswax.  There is no alcohol or synthetic ingredients which may irritate your skin. 

For those that remember the days of always having some sort of salve around the house, we carry a Healing Salve.  A unique product that no home should be found without.  It is specially designed with herbs and essential oils that have been used for centuries to heal, relieve pain, fight infection, draw out toxicity (such as those from bites and stings), ease itching, reduce rashes, an more.  It's a product with a thousand uses.  Every home should have some! 

With Valentines approaching quickly, now's a good time to heal and soften your lips for extra kisses.  Chapstick made from natural, luxuriant oils to keep your lips soft year round.  Keep one in your car, purse, pocket and bedside stand.  We never leave home without one! 

If you've been sticking to your New Years Resolutions and visiting the gym you may have experienced a few sore muscles.  You have to try the Sore Muscle Rub!  This rub is crafted from a variety of herbs and essential oils which relax light muscles, relieve pain, and stimulate blood flow for regeneration of damaged muscle cells. You have to give it a try!
  

Do you prefer a bar of soap over pumping a liquid out of a plastic bottle?  Each Natural Soap is made with high quality oils for a luxuriant feel with nice lather.  No synthetic ingredients are ever used.  Herbs are used for color and essential oils for fragrance.  You'll enjoy the all-natural clean the soaps provide.

A new arrivals this year from Eden Springs Natural Products, All Purpose Cleaners!  They come in amazing fragrances of Lemon Lavender, Rosemary Mint and Pine Orange.  Each scent is available in a cleaning spray or cleaning scrub.  Strong enough to clean the bathroom and kitchen, but the best part about it is that it is 100% natural!  A powerful blend of essential oils known for their germ killing properties, while providing a clean, refreshing fragrance, without all the dangerous chemicals. You'll enjoy uplifting scents in your home each time you clean. 

The perfect products to jump start your Spring cleaning.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!