Etcetera: Lots of color going on around here
I have been working really hard on a few new pieces....some I worked on by myself and some I worked on with others :} I have so much to share with you next week.......including a book review on Tuesday!I am participating in Open Studios here this weekend, so it will be a very busy weekend for me......Look forward to hanging out with you all next week! xo,Barb
Found Goodness: My book on Amazon- Furniture Makeovers
I absolutely cannot believe that this day is here....but it finally is! Yippee! My book is available for pre-order on Amazon! Woot! Woot! Isn't the cover fantastic?! {the part on the left is the spine, and then the beautiful front.} Wait until you see the full cover.....it is so awesome! I am really happy with everything.....and Chronicle Books is amazing!My book is called "Furniture Makeovers" and will be released on May 1st 2013! It is 192 pages of tips, tricks, transformations, tools, and everything else!Mark your calendars and order your copy today!xo,Barb
FYI: A tale of two foam rollers
I just recently encountered this little "issue".....and I'm sure all of you talented ladies do not have, or have not had the same "issues" as me....but just in case there is one of you out there struggling with the same thing....scratching your head...wondering what you have done wrong...ALL FOAM ROLLERS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!There....I said it......now let me explain. I have used the same foam rollers for years......YEARS I tell you...and have never ever had any issue at all. I always get that perfectly smooth as glass....no lines or streaks look that I have come to expect from my friend the foam roller. All of that ended about two weeks ago when I went to my local hardware store to purchase a fresh pack. I noticed, at the first hardware store that I went to, that they did not have the brand that they normally carried {and I was used to buying} but instead a new brand with new packaging. I did not like this new brand or packaging because I had tried them before and they "jumped" and "skipped" while rolling leaving a very uneven finish {big no no!} and so I passed on the rollers and went to the next store.......this went on until the very last store.....and then finally I spotted my beloved rollers.....but only a few packs......right alongside the new ones with the new packaging. Blegh! It was almost as if my faves were being phased out for the new....and I bought every pack of my favorites. Just for fun I bought a pack of the new ones as well..... to compare. Here are the results of my comparison:> One has a white center, one has an orange center {my favorites are the white ones....just so there is no confusion!}> On the white centered rollers the hole is larger than the hole on the orange centered ones....even though they are both supposed to be a 6 inch roller.> As you can see, they are clearly not both 6 inch rollers....the new pretty packaging ones fall short {literally} to my original favorites....> They are totally different sizes, so the important thing here is to buy whichever foam rollers you please....but buy a few new roller handles as well because it does matter! The "skipping and jumping" happens when the roller handle stem is too tight, and the foam roller is not free to roll smoothly and evenly. My old roller handles were bought with the old favorite foam rollers and are too large for the new {smaller, even though they say 6 inch} foam rollers.So, basically if my new rollers are being phased out....{boo!}...I will have to buy the new ones.... along with all new roller handles.......no big deal really.....but just a harrowing experience for a painter like me who is used to consistent results.xo,Barb
Introductions: A giant desk for the Benjamins
I just finished this super large desk for some friends of mine! This is the second piece of furniture that I have been asked to paint for these guys, and I am super happy with how it turned out! Eric is a very talented artist, whose fantastic artwork is hanging on the wall in these pictures..... {and who you will be hearing more about in the coming weeks!} ...Eric and his wife Bekki have filled their home with color and texture. It is absolutely bursting with goodness!I love that this job called for lots of orange and green paint, along with some heavy distressing on the desk top to show a wear pattern {Eric's specific request!}.... as if arms had worn through the paint over years of use and love......So fun......xo,Barb
Etcetera: Painting plans
It has been a very busy week at Knack! I have Open Studios next weekend and I am trying to finish 5 new pieces before next Saturday! I know ...it is crazy...but with Ann helping me.....I think we are going to make it!The three colors above are going on one piece.....and I can't wait to show you the finished design plan! This is one of those pieces that has been in my head for a while and it is finally coming out! :} I have a new milk paint piece coming down the pipe as well..... and I custom mixed the color. It is absolutely to die for...{if I do say so myself!}.......and then there are the secret pieces I have been working on......a full on collaboration .....and I think it is an understatement when I say....."they are going to knock your socks off!"......I know my socks are off!I got incredible news on my book this week! The publishing month is May! {which just happens to rhyme with YAY!} Mark your calendars now, and visit my Facebook page for the full list of details! I would love to have you join the Facebook page if you have not done so already! We have a great time there :}Have a wonderful weekend!xo,Barb
Found Goodness: Soap that keeps on giving. Hand in Hand.
I am excited to talk about soap today! I received an inquiry from Hand in Hand sustainable suds asking if I would be interested in reviewing their product, and I have to say that the packaging and photographs had me from the get go. I am a sucker for great branding and packaging, and Hand in Hand sustainable suds does both of those really, really well. Even more important than the branding and packaging though.....is the mission of Hand in Hand sustainable suds.Here is a little bit more about how these suds are made:> Certified by the Natural Products Association and Fair Trade USA> Vegetable based> Vegan> Palm oil free> Biodegradable> Gluten free> Paraben free> Petro chemical and cruelty freeThe beautiful labels and packaging are made from recycled materials and printed with vegetable based inks. Ok....so if all of that wasn't socially responsible enough, the lovely people at Hand in Hand sustainable suds donate one bar of soap for every bar purchased to orphans in Haiti in order to help stop water born illness and disease. Also, Hand in Hand sustainable suds donates funds to help build micro business funding for small businesses in disaster ridden countries. Instead of their donations being detrimental to the culture and putting local vendors out of business.....they help fund small businesses and get them back on their feet. So cool!I decided this is absolutely something I wanted to talk about and promote.....because I believe in what they are doing....100 percent...... and hope that I can follow in their footsteps with my business and reach a community of people for the greater good. So inspiring to me!I did not receive any monetary compensation for writing this post, but I did receive three bars of soap to try out......and I am so happy to report that the quality of the soap indeed matches both the fantastic packaging and the quality of the business! So much so, that I keep one bar at home and one bar at the studio! This soap is super soft and creamy with the faintest and sweetest smells of lavender, citrus and white tea. I will definitely be ordering more when my supply runs dry. This soap is wonderful.Read the founding couple's sweet story here, and help support what they are doing!Rub a dub.xo,Barb Blair
