We Love Workshops: Chalk Paint®, Milk Paint & Private Parties too.

Yes, we love our workshops around here!  With Easter and then our "Destination Downton" trip on the calendar, our next sessions will be later in April.  To be the first to hear about new workshops when they are posted, sign up for email notifications at: http://www.appleboxboutique.com/workshop-notifications.html

We had great fun in last week's Got Milk Paint? workshop and we're already looking forward to the next one.  Here are some pics!

So many colours to choose from... and to create other colours with!

A little water, a little milk paint powder, and a little stirring -- it's fun and quick to mix up! 

Decisions, decisions!  Adding Bonding Agent to the mixture provides serious adhesion.  Or leave it out for chic chippyness.

Bonding Agent looks creamy in the bottle, but doesn't affect the richness of the colours.

The consistency is up to you. Add more water to make a base stain for lighter woods when you'd like to distress out to a deeper tone, or use it for pickling (or as a wash) to enhance the wood grain and create interest.

Crackling can also be achieved by painting with a slightly thicker consistency of Milk Paint and quickly drying it with a hair dryer, creating small natural cracks. It is beneficial to use the Crackle Medium for more obvious cracks. 

Lots of samples are created in-class so you can take the knowledge home with you!

Don't miss our next workshop, or if you would like a private Paint Party, we can book dates outside of our regular sessions.

Many thanks to Cinnamon Photography for the fabulous workshop photos!

♥,
Apple Box Boutique

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Local Event: Got Milk Paint? Workshop!

Got Milk Paint? Workshop

Taking our hands-on Milk Paint Workshop will ensure that you acquire a strong knowledge of how to use Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint, Furniture Wax and Antiquing Wax. You will complete a variety of sample boards plus a project piece that can be taken home to display your new talents!

All materials, snacks and beverages are provided.  Just show up in your paint clothes and be ready to have fun!

This hands on workshop offers:

• History, characteristics and preparation of Milk Paint
• Different uses of Milk Paints on wood, ceramic, metal, drywall etc.
• Easy methods of custom colour matching
• Faux-finishing techniques, antiquing, distressing etc.
• Crackle finishes 

Date: Tuesday, March 19, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Cost:  $225 + GST   (Includes all materials: project pieces, paints and finishes.  Snacks and beverages are provided.)

OR visit Apple Box Boutique online for more workshop and registration information.

♥,
Apple Box Boutique

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New Arrival: Miss Mustard Seed's Book, "Inspired You!"

Some girls get giddy over a new pair of shoes. Marian Parsons gets giddy over room makeovers. With a lot of ingenuity, a little bit of effort, and a tight budget, she has transformed her home into a beautiful space and filled her heart with a lot more contentment. Thousands have found inspiration at Marian’s blog, missmustardseed.com, and now she shares dozens of new projects, ideas, and DIY adventures in the pages of Inspired You.

Marian will remind you that homes don’t have to be magazine material to be special, comfortable, and inviting. The goal you’re working toward is home. Not a perfect home. Not an “impress the neighbors” home. Just home—one whose walls and rooms tell the story of the family who lives there. Beautiful homes start with inspiration and a willingness to try. So uncover your God-given creativity. Be encouraged, be willing, and be inspired.

Follow this blog to win your copy!

In two weeks, we will draw randomly from all of our blog followers.  Watch for your name and contact us within 48 hours to receive your book!

Like us and tell us on our Facebook page that you're a follower of our blog, and receive two more entries to WIN.

♥,
Apple Box Boutique

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Workshop Sunday Spectacular! Sign up and Save $150!

For one day only, register for our Got Milk Paint? workshop and get a second registration for just  $100!

Makes a great Christmas gift, or sign up with a friend and you both save!

SUNDAY, December 16th:  Sign up with friend and save! 


For one day only, register a friend or family member for just $100! 

That's a savings of $150!

  Got Milk Paint? Workshop

Taking our hands-on Milk Paint Workshop will ensure that you acquire a strong knowledge of how to use Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint, Furniture Wax and Antiquing Wax. You will complete a small bookshelf that is provided for you, to be taken home to display your new talents!

All materials and lunch are provided.  Just show up in your paint clothes and be ready to have fun!


This hands on workshop offers:

• History, characteristics and preparation of Milk Paint
• Different uses of Milk Paints on wood, ceramic, metal, drywall etc.
• Easy methods of custom colour matching
• Faux-finishing techniques, antiquing, distressing etc.
• Crackle finishes 

Date:  Wednesday, January 2, 2012
Time:  10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location:  Apple Box Boutique (or nearby)  6507 - 112 Avenue, Edmonton, AB
 
Cost:  $250 + GST  
          or $350 +GST for two when you register on Sunday, December 16, 2012

* Includes all materials: bookshelf, paints and finishes.  Lunch is provided.)

For every $50 purchase, Apple Box Boutique will donate a warm, nutritious meal for someone in need this Christmas.

Your purchase = dining with dignity...   It's that easy to give hope in Edmonton!

Happy Holidays!

♥,
Apple Box Boutique

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Got Milk Paint? Workshop with Special Guest: Jennylyn Pringle

Jennylyn Pringle, President of Homestead House – the company that makes the famous Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint -- is coming to Apple Box Boutique to lead a one-of-a-kind “Got Milk Paint?” session.

With years of experience in painting with Milk Paint and all of the fantastic finishing techniques that can be applied, it is your opportunity to learn from the best! 

But space is limited and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis.

Registration closes at the end of this weekend

 (Noon on Sunday, December 16/12)  

Act fast!

Got Milk Paint? Workshop

Taking our hands-on Milk Paint Workshop will ensure that you acquire a strong knowledge of how to use Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint, Furniture Wax and Antiquing Wax. You will complete a small bookshelf that is provided for you, to be taken home to display your new talents!

All materials and lunch are provided.  Just show up in your paint clothes and be ready to have fun!

This hands on workshop offers:

• History, characteristics and preparation of Milk Paint
• Different uses of Milk Paints on wood, ceramic, metal, drywall etc.
• Easy methods of custom colour matching
• Faux-finishing techniques, antiquing, distressing etc.
• Crackle finishes 

Date:  Wednesday, January 2, 2012
Time:  10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Cost:  $250 + GST   (Includes all materials: bookshelf, paints and finishes.  Lunch is provided.)

Edmonton Location To Be Announced

Apple Box Boutique Inc. reserves the right to cancel sessions with low registration.  
Registration may be re-opened should seats be available after Dec.16/12.

Reimagined Monday: The Real Deal -- Milk Paint!

Welcome to Reimagined Monday!

Fabulous Janet of The Empty Nest decided to go all in with the colour Tricycle from Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint line.  Here are the results in an excerpt from her enthusiastic article about her experience using Milk Paint for the first time:

I decided that if The Empty Nest was going to carry

Miss Mustard Seed's

new line of Milk Paint colors, then I should become the best spokesperson possible.

Here is the dresser I chose.

Very well made and with beautiful lines.

However the orangey wood has to go.

Not being a shrinking violet, I chose

Tricycle

a spunky cool red.

Well what do you know....

Marian was right, it does just flake off in spots.

I did not use the bonding agent.

Yeah, I live life on the edge!

After two coats of Milk Paint

some sanding with a sanding sponge

a coat of Miss Mustard Seed's wax

She has a whole new sassy attitude.

So what do you think?

I am really pleased with the results..

  I know you are dying to hear my take on Milk Paint.

Amuse me folks..

"Yes Janet...we are dying to hear you opinion!"

Ok...here you go...

1. I will admit the mixing part will take a little bit of getting used to, but it was not rocket science and only took a few minutes.

2. For those wondering how it differs from my beloved Chalk Paint™ decorative paints.

The minute I applied the first brush stroke, I new this was a whole different ballgame.

3. Milk Paint smells different..feels different..reacts to surfaces differently, distresses different....it is simply

DIFFERENT

I in no way mean that in a negative manner...it's just apples & oranges

4. Two coats covered nicely and I used very little powder. You will get multiple projects per back..easily.

5. I mixed the Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint powder with warm water to make a smoother paint.

6. It dried pretty quickly.

7. I was able to get a super smooth feel after sanding..nice.

8. Love how the paint will literally flake off in spots..instant age.

9. Miss Mustard Seed's wax was super easy to apply with a soft cloth and has a nice sheen

 (Mr. Secret Agent is beginning to wonder where all his t-shirts are)

10. I buffed 30 minutes later

11. I'm happy

Marian's colors are beautiful and I found the paint easy to work with.

Almost forgot to add...

no prepping was done to my dresser other than a good cleaning.

 So there you have it...

Milk Paint by Miss Mustard Seed (Marian Parsons) is so popular it is hard to keep it on the shelves so with Christmas coming, and knowing how great a gift this is, we are 'stocking' up!

AND one of our Colours of the Month is Boxwood Milk Paint by Miss Mustard Seed, regularly $24 it is on sale for $20.

PLUS don't forget -- for every purchase of $50 or more we are donating a Christmas meal!  Give a gift that keeps on giving!

Visit Apple Box Boutique for fantastic ideas from stocking stuffers to perfect gifts for under the tree!

For every $50 purchase, Apple Box Boutique will donate a warm, nutritious meal for someone in need this Christmas.

Your purchase = dining with dignity...   It's that easy to give hope in Edmonton!

♥,
Apple Box Boutique

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Trickery | Vaseline Resist Technique and Milk Paint

Reimagined Monday is a favourite day around the Boutique, but it is even more fun when we get to share a 'trade secret'.  With typical humbled wonderment, Marian Parsons (aka Miss Mustard Seed) gets straight to the point and lets us all in on how she created the finish on a stunning Empire dresser that took our breath away.

In her own words, here are the goods...

Trickery | Vaseline Resist Technique

Well, I received another oh-crap-call from Lucketts on Saturday.  The Painted Empire dresser sold the day after I brought it in.

I guess I wasn’t the only one in love with that finish!  Here’s how I did it…

I’ve heard about using Vaseline (petroleum jelly) as a paint resist for a while, but I never tried it.  On this empire dresser, I pictured layers of blue and wanted to have clear definition between the two colors.  This seemed like a good piece to test it out on.  I painted the first coat of paint in Flow Blue with the bonding agent added to all of the paint except for what I used on the drawers (I wanted some selective chippiness.)  I then rubbed some Vaseline over the edges of the piece and around some of the key holes and other random spots.

I don’t think there’s a specific time frame to let the Vaseline sit before painting on the second coat, but I decided to wait about an hour to give it some time to dry.

I painted on a second coat, this time in French Enamel without the bonding agent added.  I brushed the paint on gently where the Vaseline had been applied.  On the drawers where the bonding agent wasn’t used, Milk Paint did its wonderful chippy thing…

…and where the Vaseline was…

…total coolness.

When I sanded the piece with a medium grit sanding sponge, the French Enamel paint that was over the Vaseline came off, showing the Flow Blue underneath.  That, combined with the chippiness where the bonding agent wasn’t used and the places I sanded the paint down to the wood made a very interesting finish that looked as if it had developed over time.

I wiped the surface with a cloth (it was a little gummy where the Vaseline was) and then applied one coat of Furniture Wax.

I can’t wait to try this bit of trickery again!

We've never tried this technique with Milk Paint but now it is on our list of things to give a whirl.   

How about you?

For every $50 purchase, Apple Box Boutique will donate a warm, nutritious meal for someone in need this Christmas.

Your purchase = dining with dignity...   It's that easy to give hope in Edmonton!

 ♥,
Apple Box Boutique

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What's New In-store: MMS Milk Paint Samples!

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint is now available in sample sizes. With approximately 8-10 square feet of coverage, the sample size is perfect for a small project, or to test out a new colour.

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint is environmentally-friendly and contains no VOCs.

There are 12 gorgeous colours* to choose from -- check them all out on our Inspiration page.

The sample sizes have been selling out all over the continent... Get them before they're gone!


♥,  
Apple Box Boutique
*subject to availability 

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Reimagined Monday: Knot Too Shabby with Milk Paint

Welcome!

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint is selling out all over North America, including at Apple Box Boutique!  So far our most popular colours include Tricycle, Lucketts Green, French Enamel and Kitchen Scale while neutrals like Shutter Grey, Ironstone, Linen and Grain Sack fly off the shelves regularly.

Following are reimaginations from Knot Too Shabby Furnishings using two of those colours.  They are also great examples of 'the power of hemp oil' and what to do with a lovely piece when it isn't  quite intact!

Happy reading!

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

A few weeks ago, I ordered my sample kit so that I could start playing with the colors and finishes. I saved this particular piece especially for milk paint. 

Of my three sample colors, I opted to paint this one shutter Gray and Ironstone. 

The original mirror was missing so I used the frame to make a chalkboard instead. Perfect as a dining room buffet! 

Ironstone is painted in the details.

I was hoping for a chippy look throughout, but it really only chipped on the legs and the white decorative piece on the front. 

I left the top in its original stain, but used the Hemp Oil to refresh the look and polish out some of the wear and scratching. 

It worked like a charm. Completely refreshed the top into the rich golden wood tones. 

The entire outside was given a protective finish with the beeswax which I loved. The beeswax was like tapioca pudding! Soft, textured and went on like a dream.

More Milk Paint Please!

The last of my Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint samples are dwindling and I'm anxiously awaiting my first shipment which should arrive any day now! 

I scraped together the last bit of Ironstone White to paint this fabulous executive desk. 

All original hardware intact and a beautifully finished wood top that needed nothing more than a bit of cleaning and some hemp oil to revitalize the finish. 
 

White is not one of my "go to" colors for projects. With several years of painting and selling under my belt, it is one of the least sell-able colors on furniture, though I sell more cans of white paint than any other color. So, go figure!

I opted for white on this desk because I thought it would be a bright and sharp contrast from the rich wood.

I was really banking on a nice chipped look and thought for sure I would get lots of chipping because of the glossy varnish, but it just didn't "chip" like I was hoping.

It kind-of peeled away in places.

The distressing on the sides really makes the wood detailing and framing pop.

And, for visual interest, I added the numbers in Pure White on the top of the desk. 

Excerpts from Michele's blog: Knot Too Shabby furnishings

♥,  
Apple Box Boutique

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