chalk and chocolate

So, here is my first ever piece with Annie Sloan's chalk paint. I posted about my little trip to buy some here and now the result.

I combined it with a wonderful design from The Graphics Fairy about chocolate, hence the title - chalk and chocolate (good name for a blog !).

This little table has been in our lean to for years, and looked pretty bad, when I decided to rescue it.

This was it after I cleaned it, sanded it and scraped off all the chipped paint.

Now to the painting - I didn't find it easy, ascp is very thick and not what I am used to and I brushed it in every direction as I had seen on an Annie Sloan video here. In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman ' BIG MISTAKE' - just stick to what you know Fiona and stop trying to be clever !

Now I'm going to blame my tools - you definately need a good brush, one with soft bristles, preferably a Purdy or similar. Stiff bristled, cheap brushes leave tracks in thick paint. You can't see it in these photos but the surface of this little table is pretty bad.

Now I'm going to blame the table - ascp dries REALLY quickly, and as I had sanded this table A LOT, the surface was really porous, so it sucked the moisture out of the paint and made it even more difficult to get an even coat.

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS - I have since painted another table, that I didn't sand, which I painted using a soft brush, and which I painted in my own way, chanelling Fiona, not Annie.

IT WORKS, I AM A CONVERT - I am saving the piece for another day, but I am REALLY pleased, and I will definately be using ascp to do my dining room table and the various chairs I have scattered about the house !

The 'no preping' is such a big draw, and it works, it's sticky and thick, and sands like a dream. It's lovely and matt, and the colours are gorgeous. Also, it does go really far, and on the second piece, I only used one layer, even though the table was quite dark.

One more tip - it's not so thick that it won't run, just watch it when painting vertically, and don't be tempted to put too much on. (I realise many of you use it already, but this is just my take on it).

I think this table worked because of the wonderful graphic.

BTW as some of you know, I often mention my techno inabilities, but printing this out went like a dream.

I sent the pic in an e-mail to the old geezer, because he has the printer. He opened it and left it on the screen. My technophobe brain told me it looked big. I pushed print and one half came out on an A4 - yipee. I moved the mouse around, it showed the other half - pressed print !

I can guarantee that's never going to happen again !

I adjusted the bottom line of the design to fit with the oval shape of the table, and used carbon paper underneath, tracing it through with a biro to get a clean, sharp line.

After painting, I sanded it.

I drew a little border for the bottom shelf, that I could repeat between the four legs, and painted it all with a little matchpot I have.

I finished it in clear and dark wax. I really like the result and will definately use this graphic again but nil points for the basic painting on this one.

linking up with

Brag Monday @ The Graphics Fairy

Debbiedoos Newbie Party @ Debbiedoos

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays @ Coastal Charm

Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch

Knick of Time Tuesdays @ Knick of Time

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style

Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays @ {Primp}

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence
Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense