This is my daughter Carissa and this is her blog - The Sweets Table.  This is her dream and her passion, and has been for awhile.  While my happy place is in the studio painting on anything that will stand still long enough, hers is in the kitchen, baking and creating oh so delicious desserts that make my pants keep shrinking! 

So yesterday, she was helping me in the studio as she does every week.  This is a job of hers...she tries, and I emphasize TRIES to keep me organized.  This is an impossible task, but she is determined that I can be, so she keeps trying.  She was helping and (Barbara) The Shabby Cowgirl came in to talk about some aprons.. Have you met The Shabby Cowgirl?   You must!  Go to her Facebook page and hit like! You meet some wonderful people on Facebook!   Not only does she make the most wonderful aprons in the world, but she is a warm, wonderful person to boot!  Anyway, we were having a nice chat and the subject came up of doing what you love, following your heart, working your passion and just going ahead and DOING it instead of how most people just talk about doing it!  Barbara had the most wonderful words of wisdom to share with Carissa about all these things, and it really stuck with her. Read her blog post.   She listened. She got it.  She had heard it before but it is different when it isn't coming out of your mother or father's mouth!  Thank you Barbara!  This is my daughter's creative journey and I feel very blessed to be here at the beginning of this new adventure of hers!   Would I be dating myself so much if I just said YOU GO GIRL!

Answer:  I am including an answer to this question posted on Annie Sloan Paint's facebook page.  This was in response to a question about the wax used in the Texas heat and does apply to any other place you live:


Annie Sloan:


Where the wax had smudged after you had it outside, I would just polish it up again.  The other piece you talk about where it wouldn't sand properly is because you have applied far too much and not removed the excess.  The way to use the wax is to apply a FINE amount.  I usually apply it and wipe off - applying a reasonable amount of pressure to make certain I have removed the excess.  Otherwise you are sanding wet wax.


Other questions about wax:


Question:  I used the dark wax and my chair is darker than I wanted.  I wiped it back but it is still dark.  Why?


Answer:  Always use the clear wax first.  Number one and pretty much the only rule with using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and wax. There are exceptions to this rule, but those are for another time.    The clear wax will seal the paint and then you can start applying the dark wax sparingly at first, to get that rich patina.


Question:  Do I have to use the Annie Sloan wax?  I have some other wax at home.  Can I just use that?
Answer:  I have used different waxes and in fact sell a couple different waxes in the shop.  What I have found is that Annie's wax really does work WITH the paint.  It works it's way into the paint to seal it.  Other wax seems to lay ON the surface of the paint.  This could definitely make a difference in the final finish and the way the piece wears.


Question:  I painted and waxed my piece.  Now I want to change the color. What do I use to take off the wax so I can repaint?
Answer:  When using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, you can paint right OVER the wax.  You don't have to take it off!  This is girls paint but boys can use it too is what Annie says.  That means you can change your mind, time after time.
The tables shown above have been painted AND waxed three times.  I didn't quite like them the first two times around so I painted right over the top!


Now a little tip that I like to share in my workshops - in the picture shown, you will see the table tops have been stenciled.  This was done with the dark wax. I love how stenciling with the dark wax gives a more antique look to the stencil.  


Have any questions of your own?


Keep painting outside the lines...it's more fun that way!

The top was painted in Mocha Reclaim and I used a foam roller...I was surprised that this did not provide a smoother finish than the roller I used on the body....go figure! Both body and top are smooth to the touch with just a hint of texture.  After all if you are looking for a glass finish, you will have to pay someone to spray it for you (not Reclaim)  and then you will have a table that looks like everyone elses, right? To continue,  I lightly sanded just the edges for a distressed look and voila!  
 This is getting continued use in the studio and I will be checking back with you in a few months with an update how it is holding up, but for the last month and a half, it is solid.  It gets banged, written on, and pretty much abused and it looks great. 

1. Roll it on, and when I say roll, I mean in every which direction...You don't stay with the grain!
2. Moosh it on in the corners and edges
3. NO SANDING, NO STRIPPING, NO PRIMING!
4. No protective top coat needed - has sealer BUILT IN!!

I have all the ReClaim colors as well as the stencils at the studio...come by and take a look!  Available in the following colors - Licorice, Mocha, Off White, Bright White, Latte and Sage.

ReClaim Licorice & Mocha  right sides have Antiquing Glaze left sides just paint!

ReClaim Bright White & Sage right side has Antiquing Glaze left side is just paint

ReClaim Latte & Off White right side has Antiquing Glaze left side is paint