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Showing posts with label Alberta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alberta. Show all posts

April 13, 2012

Project Personality: Coats of Paint

Project Personality
with Apple Box Boutique founder Leanne Playter Korsos

Hello!  Last week, On The Apple Box introduced me to all of you and I am excited about my first post for Project Personality.

Today is more of a rambling than a how-to (though there are plenty of those to come), but I just can't help myself.  I LOVE colour and fashion, and with all the blue skies, sunshine and occasional April showers we have been having it finally feels like spring and everyone is out in their new frocks.  When it comes to painting that's all it takes for me to start "dreaming in colour".  This week, the inspiration was spring coats!
 
Whenever I fall for something I start to create design boards that encompass the item, the colour or even just the 'feel' of it.  That's what happened over the last few days and I wanted to share my obsessiveness enthusiasm with you.  The idea was to take the gorgeous outerwear I've been seeing and build around it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP).  It's been a lot of fun looking through Apple Box Boutique's inventory of unfinished pieces and envisioning what could be!

I've been liking blue lately (probably due to the big skies of Alberta) and this coat tipped the scales to true love:


I've already selected a cute little foyer table that is destined to be this colour and I've decided on Provence.

Mixed with other ASCP paints there are SO many lovely shades, but I will go with 1 part Provence and 3 parts Old White:

If I ever find a stunning dressing table like this one from Mak and Jill, it will absolutely be my go-to colour!


This scrumptious confection is something  a modern day Marie Antoinette might wear, and of course I love all things "MA":


Emperor's Silk is referred to as "the perfect front door red", so it is suprising that it mixes to such a lovely candy-coloured pink.

With a little dark wax, it can look like this:


But add 3 parts Old White and I have just the right colour for my 'girl's room' dresser!

Stiltkskin Studios found the perfect piece to dress up with it.  This could have fit easily into MA's boudoir and they posted it on my birthday... How did they know?


Spring evenings always remind me of Vincent van Gogh paintings, and those incredible deep-blue night skys.  My next wardrobe addition will definitely be something like this:


No mixing required here!  Napoleonic Blue is a limited edition paint from Annie Sloan, but I hope it becomes a permanent part of the colour collection.

Especially when it makes a fairly ordinary dresser look like this:


Another bright (and versatile) shade that you generally see a lot of in fall is making an appearance and a statement this spring:


This is the signature colour associated to Van Gogh's muse, the city of Arles.

Appropriately, it is also the name given to the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint that has changed my mind on yellow.  I wasn't a huge fan until I saw this:

... and now I just can't get enough of it!  I've just finished painting a cabinet with Arles and it has become a coveted piece at Apple Box Boutique:


 But the really hot colour right now seems to be bright green:

Because of that, Antibes Green is flying off the shelves!


It doesn't hurt that layered with Aubusson Blue, it is reminiscent of colourful peacocks and the current decorating trend that borrows from their plumage.

Robyn Story Designs (for Michelle) + Oliveira Textiles = Lazi Daze Photography

Isn't this pretty?

I have a million more images from my boards to share (okay... maybe just hundreds) but sensory overload is a real condition and I wouldn't want to be the cause!

I love that you stopped in to spend some time with me (thank you!) and am looking forward to future Project Personality articles...  In the meantime, I'd be interested to know:

What is your current project and what inspired you?

My thanks to Ciruelo Interiors for the colour cards!

February 20, 2012

It's Family Day! Here are some fun things to do...

Family Day is an opportunity to take some time for family fun!  We like to consider it an official "Snow Day" and enjoy some of the great activities in our community.  In Edmonton, there are so many events happening that it is hard to choose... here is a list of just some of the happenings... Hope you enjoy the day, too!


Rutherford House (map)
Family Day Open House Rutherford House February 20 Celebrate the Family Day weekend with a visit to the historic home of the first Premier of Alberta, Alexander Cameron Rutherford, and his family . Explore the features of this historic house, take part in traditional family activities, sample cooki...
Alberta Legislature (map)
Family Day Alberta Legislature February 20, 2012 Free Family Fun at Legislature.Celebrate family day with an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities.Kids carnival, hot chocolate, free guided tours of legislature, wagon rides, ice sculpture display and skating. www.assembly.ab.ca
Art Gallery of Alberta (map)
Qualico Family Day fun at your AGA - free admission and art projects for all! EDMONTON, AB – Enjoy free access to AGA exhibitions and participate in hands-on art activities for all ages including: Cubist Collage Masks – take inspiration from AGA exhibition, Icons of Modernism, to create...
Art Gallery of Alberta (map)
Family Day at the Art Gallery of Alberta
Art Gallery of Alberta
February 20, 2012
Fun hands on art projects and visit the gallery.
www.youraga.ca
Valley Zoo (map)
Family Day Fun – Polar Bears International Awareness Day Valley Zoo February 20, 2012 Bundle up the family, beat the winter blues and take a trip to the zoo for some Family Day fun.Scavenger hunt.Learn about Polar Bears International and what the zoo is doing to support this initiative.Indoor...
Edmonton Ski Club (map)
Family Day Edmonton Ski Club Feb 20, 2012 Join 105.9 ShineFMfor Family Day at the Edmonton Ski Club on Monday February 20th. This hidden gem set in the beautiful river valley is perfect for skiers & snowboarders of all ages! Jennifer Joy will be broadcasting live from the slopes asyou and your ...
Strathcona Wilderness Centre (map)
Family Day – Winter Play Day Strathcona Wilderness Centre February 20, 2012 Cross Country Ski lessons (fee), showshoe orienteering, bannock, hot chocolate. Join us for a day of winter family fun. www.strathcona.ca/recreation
Various venues
Downtown Family Day Festival Various venues February 20 Fun-packed Family Day afternoon including games, arts and crafts, performing arts, and free and low cost admission for all ages. www.edmontondowntown.com
Muttart Conservatory (map)
Family Day Adventure Muttart Conservatory February 20, 2012 You can’t beat the fun and excitement found at the Muttart for Family Day. www.muttartconservatory.ca
Sir Winston Churchill Square (map)
Metropolis Family Day Sir Winston Churchill Square February 20, 2012 Hay RidesIce Sculptors, Bannock Making/Bonfires, Play Around the World, Stilt Walkers, Hockey Tutor Shooters, Free Skate Rentals, Face Painting Mascots, Human Statue, Balloon Fairies   Polar Brewhouse, Carnival Games Che...
Stanley A. Milner Library (map)
EPL's Shrek-cellent Family Day Movie Event Monday February 20, 2012 at 2pm Stanley A. Milner Library, Theatre, Lower Level Looking for some free fun on Family Day? All our Family Day programs are drop-in.   * Shrek Interactive Movie   * More Downtown Fun   * TALES ...
Fort Saskatchewan (map)
Traditional WinterFest and Vintage Snowmobile Show February 20, 2012 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Fort Saskatchewan Museum & Historic Site and 1875-1885 NWMP Fort 10006 - 100 Avenue The Fort Saskatchewan Historical Society would like to invite everyone to celebrate winter at a Traditional WinterFest.The...
Bonnie Doon Mall (map)
Family Day Family Fun Bonnie Doon Mall, 82nd Avenue & 83rd Street Monday, February 20. 12pm – 5pm. petting zoo, balloon artist, crafts, face painting www.bonniedoonshoppingcentre.com
Londonderry Mall (map)
Paper Airplane Competition Londonderry Mall Feb 20, 2012 Families come down to Londonderry Mall for ourFamily Day Paper Airplane Competition! Building of paper airplanes 12- 2pm (Supplies will be provided) Competitions will begin at 2pm (Heats of 5 to determine semi finalists) Winners will re...
Fort Saskatchewan (map)
Munschapalooza Fort Saskatchewan February 20, 2012   MUNSCHAPALOOZA! Family Day Monday, February 20, 2012 - 1 pm Tickets are required for FREE ADMISSION Celebrate Family Day with an all ages afternoon of crazy fun, games, crafts, music and the hit musical Munschapalooza! based on five famous ...
Capilano Community Hall (map)
Family Fun Day Celebration Capilano Community Hall, 108A Avenue and 54 Street Monday, February 20. 12pm – 3pm Residents of Capilano, Fulton and Gold Bar. crafts, balloon animals, snow shoeing, snow painting, and skating. Warm up beside the bonfire while sipping hot chocolate. www.capilano.in...
Stony Plain (map)
Family Day Scavenger Hunt Multicultural Heritage Centre, Stony Plain Monday, February 20, 2012 On Family Day, February 20th at the Multicultural Heritage Centre bring the whole family for our “Paper and Pencil Scavenger Hunt” in the Multicultural Heritage Centre. www.multicentre.org
Edmonton (map)
Family Day is a statutory holiday occurring on the third Monday in February. This corresponds with Presidents Day in the United States. The holiday was first celebrated in 1990. This holiday would emphasize the importance of family values. When is Family Day, Monday, February 20, 2012 Family Day lo...





Stop in at the blog next week for our first Reimagination Monday!

January 25, 2012

Our Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Display

Yesterday was like Christmas all over again with the heaps of goodies that arrived. Which means today is the day our inventory of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is going up on the shelves... and I am still staring down the cabinet I've selected to display it in.

I hadn't really thought about what it would be like to have 28 equally gorgeous paint colours to choose from.  It seemed like a no-brainer at first... the paint labels are white with blue lettering, so it appeared obvious to paint the cabinet in coordinating colours.  Then a feeling overcame me that it might be too matchy-matchy, and I swung the other way... offset the cans by respecting the colour wheel and go red.  But every time I look over at the towers of paint cans, well the deciding starts all over again.

So, I thought maybe some suggestions would be in order, and I'd love to hear yours!

This is the cabinet (apologies for the not-so-lovely picture provided by the perfectly-lovely previous owner):


 And these are the paint cans (yippeee!):

Photo courtesy of Trouvé Antiques

And... here are the options:


I have not included the 55+ colours you can make by mixing these (AS Chalk paint contains very little black pigment, at least all but Graphite, which means pure colour mixes... nothing to muddy them up).  That would just wreak further havoc on the current state of my aesthetic sensibilities (how's that for a mouthful), but we will look at the how-tos etc. on this blog in the future because it's just too much fun not to.

In the meantime, consider this my call for help.  I'm looking forward to your ideas of fabulousness!




January 23, 2012

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint & Apple Box Boutique Inc.

Today is cause for celebration at Apple Box Boutique for several reasons, but I will try to limit my enthusiasm (okay, lets just call it what it really is... ECSTATICISM) in this post to two rather happy events.

We are officially bloggers! Our goal is to share new trends, vintage finds, and local events from fashion to flower shows. Followers will also be the first to know what is new in-store and more. We are looking forward to lots of blog parties and feedback from our new blog friends.

Effective today we are the only retailer north of Lethbridge approved to carry Annie Sloan Chalk Paint!

As a fan of AS paint and a 'reimaginer' who uses it in my own studio (you may have seen it on some favourite pieces in the boutique) I am fully aware of the concerns when paint is shipped... the cost, the cold, the parking and waiting in line to pick it up. In a word, it is 'unnerving' for someone like me who l-o-v-e-s paint and wants to get started on a project before even taking my coat off.

Thankfully, Tara of Lauren Lane Decor in Calgary became a stockist so everything is checked for quality before it gets to Apple Box Boutique all warm and toasty... or at least room temperature.

With 28 colours of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, waxes with distinct characteristics and other fun products to round out the line, we can't wait to share everything from painting projects to custom colour recipes in future blog posts. In the meantime, we invite you to stop in for a visit at our little boutique at 6507 - 112 Avenue just off of Ada Boulevard in the quaint community of Highlands.

We're looking forward to meeting you!

Boutique Hours & Map

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