Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Haven Conference 2012 Recap

Wow! I have so much to say about the Haven Conference 2012.

1st I want to say what an amazing experience it was.
The ladies who organized it did a wonderful job- there was something for everyone & the speakers of each class were the best out there- they know their stuff =) I would suggest next year's Haven Conference to anyone.

John & Sherry of Young House Love  (they were a HUGE inspiration for our DIY Backyard Wedding)

Myself and six other girls I've known over the interwebs for about 6 months went in on 2 rooms together.
Going to a huge conference ''alone'' not formerly ''knowing'' anyone there was very intimidating for me- and very far out of my comfort zone. My hands were literally shaking when I checked into the hotel room. However, my intimidation was eliminated almost immediately after meeting my group. I know it's so cliche but it was like we'd know each other for years! Those ladies hold a very special place in my heart!

The very 1st class I took was Rashon of Mr. Goodwill Hunting's ''I Love Thrifting'' class.
It was literally one of the highlights of my Haven experience. I internet stalk that man.
He told me that I look like one of his friends and I was thinking ''I only look familiar because I blow up your Facebook all day''. His class was great- he's got a great personality and since of humor, as well.

Two of my most favorite bloggers- Mr. Goodwill Hunting & Miss Mustard Seed

I was also thrilled to take Marion of Miss Mustard Seed's class ''Advanced Painting'' and try out her new milk paint. She's made a great name for herself in this industry and gave some great tips on painting furniture =)

The VENDORS for the conference were extremely generous to us Haven Mavens!
Our swag bags were loaded down with goodies!!
I was super excited about the Purdy & Rust-Oleum booths because I am a lover (and very loyal buyer) of their products. As well as some other brand products that I'm super excited to try out. A few of the other vendors were Ryobi, Frog Tape, MinWax, and Bondo. I will be writing more post about the vendors and their products later =)


 Last but not least, on the last day of Haven classes we were invited to dinner by CeCe Caldwell.
I sat beside CeCe Caldwell at dinner!! She bought me salmon!!
If she were reading this, she would probably be rolling her eyes and laughing- she's such a humble person and it was a pleasure to meet her and a few of her distributors- I'm looking forward to trying her chalk paint!

Thanks for reading!!
-Audra

Rust-Oleum Textured Metallic & a Turquoise Dresser

After the Haven Conference, I came home with so many new products to try and great ideas. I literally could not wait to get to work and get all of that out of my brain- it keeps a sister up at night. So excited, that I finished 4 pieces in two days. Haha! Most of the time I don't do 4 pieces in a week. 
I average about 3 pieces per week, actually.

I found this piece while I was on my way to a thrift store in Atlanta, GA. after the Haven Conference. I was following my friends who'd flown in from Texas- they spotted it too. We whipped around and I was the lucky dog who drove my trusty Chevy from Alabama =) 
He (my truck) always has my back when I find awesome furniture... wherever. Texas, Atlanta, Florida, tha dump...

Yall understand =)

I forgot to take a before picture =(
(sorry about my crooked picture)



One of those products that I came home really excited about was RustOleum's textured metallic spray. I love RustOleum sprays- I love glitter- put the two together and I'm a very happy girl. So, 1st thing after getting home from Atlanta, I had a date with Home Depot's paint department.



I love it! Not only because it has glitter in it, but it went on smooth- with just 2 coats- and it's durable. I've never had chipping issues on hardware sprayed with RustOleum.




I would love to keep this piece for myself but it will actually be going back to Georgia to it's new home, haha!

Thanks for reading!!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Makeovers Before and After {Antique Vanity} {Vintage Desk}

I was invited to put some of my painted furniture in the art boutique of The Chilled Canvas in Tuscumbia, Alabama. I was thrilled!! I've been looking for a reasonable space to bum floor space from and her building was perfect!




 I had some fabric left after I finished the chair, 
so I grabbed up this little ottoman I've had laying around.
It was the perfect fix for the old brown leather.


 Half way through this post I realized that I hadn't added my watermark to the pictures. I'm too exhausted to even care.

Here are a couple more shots from the day:
Flowers from our back yard :)

My sweet neighbor, Judy, offered for me to borrow her flowers for my picture staging. She knows me too well. I'm so blessed to have awesome neighbors who support Simply Salvaged's antics =)



 Before:





 Thanks for reading!!!
-Audra