CHRISTMAS, CHALK PAINT WORKSHOPS and SOME GREAT NEWS!

It's been a busy few weeks here at Robyn Story Designs.  Christmas is coming in a hurry and we have TONS to do.  One of our wonderful customers requested our designs again this Christmas.  So we spent an entire Sunday building their Christmas trees and installing all of their garlands and wreaths inside their home.  This is quite the house.  It's stunning and artful and owned by some incredibly special customer's and friends of the store.  (They aren't due back to their Florida residence until late November so we were able to get a jump start on the season!!) Here's just a little sneak peak into what 8 people spent 8 hours doing last Sunday.

This is only 1/10 of the boxes that housed all the decorations!!

Unwrapping and organizing the boxes of ornaments.  Two trees were dressed, a 15 foot and a 12 foot!!  Again, a small fraction of the amount of ornaments, ribbons and trim used!

I hope Santa is as lucky as I am.  I have the most amazing elves!!  Always a smile and such creative genius's!!

Three hours later it's FINISHED with beautiful trim, ribbons and ornaments!!!

A close up of the most beautiful gold ornaments, each one is over 1 foot tall

David working on the second story bannister garland overlooking the family room

Mr. Christmas!  Scott working on the ribbons and perfecting the tree

The Garland and wreath hanging down from the bannister

We even drafted Lori's husband to fluff the ribbons and garland-all hands on deck!!!

So, as you can see, there's never a dull moment.  Next time I want to share some of the gorgeous-ness at the store!! Garlands galore.  Trees that are just amazing.  I hope it inspires you.  I also need to define our contest.  I haven't forgotten.  None-the-less, I hope you're all channeling your inner artist!!!  I'm so excited to see your inspired decoration!

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We did however, have a fabulous time today with a great group for a Chalk Paint Workshop!!  We had some terrific friends of the store, our NEW mini stockist and a couple decorative artists!  LOTS of great questions, wonderful stories and fun today!

Our TERRIFIC group of attendees today!!

Coddie has never painted before.  She took notes, listened intently and produced AMAZING results!

We were happy to have Michelle and Ken Hiley of Stiltskin Studios take our course as well!  They are fabulous artsists but refer SO many people to our workshops they figured they'd better take them as well!!

Ken and  Steve became fast friends and were sharing furniture finishing secrets

Sue, a decorative artist, was experimenting with colors at the end of the day

Time ran out before she could wax, however, she created a wonderful mosiac of color.

Steve (an amazingly talented decorative artist/artist) and me at the end of the day - fast friends!!

Every Chalk Paint Workshop is completely different.  We meet so many talented individuals.  A lot of you are already familiar with Michelle and Ken Hiley of Stiltskin Studios.  If not, take a minute to check out their website.

Also, I want to take a minute and talk about my friend, Steve (above) whose business is Creative Painting Specialists.  He is an incredibly talented artist and decorative painter.  We are thrilled to be sharing with you that Steve will be scheduling workshops here at Robyn Story Designs.  He will be teaching many different faux effects.  Take a peak below at just a few of his finishes.  Keep in mind that these are all done on wood planks.  Prepare to be amazed!!!

Are you blown away!!??  Seriously gorgeous finishes.  Steve is also a very talented artist and has been commissioned to do portraits, landscapes and art of all styles.  He will be here, in our studio, teaching YOU.  Keep an eye out for our announcement of dates....coming soon!!  I know I'm excited because I'm going to be sitting in that class with you, learning right along your side! 

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Did you pick up on my little slip earlier??  We have an announcement that we are SOOOO proud to share with you.  Robyn Story Designs has a NEW mini stockist in VERO BEACH!!  

WELCOME TO OUR 

ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT FAMILY

JEFF AND LORNA NELSON

Jeff at the workshop, painting a relief with Old Violet and Paris Grey

Jeff is loving the dark wax!!

Lorna was busy shadowing us during the workshop and managed to escape the camera's lens.  She and Jeff own and operate a STUNNING antique store in Vero Beach called House of Charm Antiques.  Take a peak at their store and if you find yourself in their neighborhood, stop by and browse through their treasures!  They are both very excited to be ASCP mini stockist and will be hosting their own workshops in the very near future!  We'll announce those dates on our blog as well!

Didn't I tell you it's been crazy around here!!!  So many TERRIFIC things are in store for the future of Robyn Story Designs.  I am so thrilled to be able to share it with everyone.  Watch our website/blog for dates announcing the workshops with Steve from Creative Painting Specialists as well as a few other announcements AND the rules for our So you think you can Create contest!

and Robyn Story Designs "hearts" Stiltskin Studios!!  Thanks Michelle!!

 More very soon.....................

Robyn Story Designs and Horse Shows??

Blogs can be about anything we choose, right?  So I'm taking a few minutes to brag about another member of my staff.  Scotty, has been with me for many years and is an incredibly talented Floral Designer and one of my Painters Extraordinaire, but his talent is far beyond these two things!

Scott has been through all of Robyn Story Designs transitions.  I started my business ten years ago in my garage.  I grew out of that garage and decided to work in a rented space and sold to the trade only.  My inventory and clientele grew and I converted that warehouse space to my retail store.  Slowly it has evolved into this magical space Robyn Story Designs, tucked away in Tampa.  

Scott moved to Florida from Cleveland, Ohio after working 21 years in fresh florals and moved onto Silk Florals.  He came into my store to buy stems since he was in the trade and we just hit it off. I knew that Scott and I would have a great time working together.  He was and still is an incredible floral designer.  Scott was instrumental from the beginning.  Always there for support and an opinion.  Customers love him, my staff loves him and he's just an all around terrific person.

One of our agreements from the beginning is that he would still have the ability to partake in his other profession.  Scott has held the much respected job of dressing equestrian events.  We've all seen horse shows and all of those gorgeous jumps that the horses leap over so gracefully.  Well, somebody actually orchestrates the production of those jumps and all the florals at these events.  One of those talented individuals is our Scott.

Scotty assisting with the Annie Sloan Workshop

He has designed shows in nine states and the District of Columbia and has done over 85 shows in his 28 year career! His repertoire includes Equestrian Shows in Traverse City, Michigan, The Vermont Summer Festival, The Capital Challenge in Upper Marlborough, Maryland,  and Washington International Horse Show as well as designing/ordering/building the florals for the The Senior Open Golf Tournament in Traverse City and Cleveland, Ohio.  His most notable accomplishments are Five World Cup events in Las Vegas, Olympic Trials in San Juan Capistrano and San Deigo, as well as the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Whew!!!  He's been around!  We are so proud of him.  He just returned from Michigan and Vermont and brought home some great pictures that I thought I'd share.

Here's the product just ready for 'beautification'!

Getting Organized and Ready for their debut!

So many gorgeous flowers in luscious colors!

Organized and moving outside to their gate

One AMAZING example of all the planning, organizing and incredibly long days to make these events beautiful. 

Keep checking back for the final details of the "So You Think You Can Create" contest!
Click HERE to check out the post and see what its all about!

Announcing "So You Think You Can Create" Contest and Giveway!

  The Holidays are coming......fast!! 
ROBYN STORY DESIGNS is already getting dressed for the holidays!!  Just take a peak at some of the beautiful things that have just arrived!

 

 Our trees each have their own personalities and are a work of art!

 

Wreaths and garlands are filled with the most luscious trims, ribbons, ornaments and found objects.

Little Fairies seem to be spying on us from every nook and cranny!

And of course there's good ol' Santa!  He's made his appearance and is watching over my little elves as we orchestrate a gorgeous holiday for our customers and friends.

Even Annie Sloan Chalk Paint has it's own special edition Christmas Tree...  click HERE to check out all the great colors and products available!

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Okay, so I think this is one of my personal  favorite Christmas creations.  Chalk Paint isn't just for furniture, look how decorative a few used brushes and pots of paint can be!! How fun!! Stick in some gift certificates from your favorite stockist and we're good to go!

In the spirit of the season,we're going to launch our first in a series of contests called...


Robyn Story Designs & Boutique 
Presents


"So You Think You Can Create?"

Series 1 Category: Holiday Creations

Using my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Christmas Tree as your muse - your inspiration - think outside the box and produce an
INSPIRED Holiday Decoration or accent!

...An ornament

...A holiday tablescape
...A gift idea

...Any decoration...

Let your imagination soar!

Here's the catch:  You must incorporate a found item(s) that you have repurposed... like our wonderful used brushes and old pots of paint!

"Goodness Gracious! The possibilities are unlimited!!  What a great contest!"

So here are the rules:  Use any product you like or any materials you like, but of course, we always like to see how you might put Annie Sloan Paint into your projects!  Be SUPER creative!!

"Seriously?  You're making me think about the holidays already?"

  

Then, send us a photo of your fabulous creation complete with a description of how you made it and what products you used.

Winner of this contest will receive a $250.00 American Express Gift Card to use as you see fit!

"Wow! $250.00?? Mommie needs a SPA day!"

 
 The details will be announced in the next couple of days, so please help us share the news about this new and exciting adventure from Robyn Story Designs and Boutique.  We would love, love, love if you would share this post with a friend, link it in your Facebook or Tweet about it, or blog about us!  


This series, "So You Think You Can Create?" is going to be tons of fun and you're gonna want to be a part of it! 

AND 

In the spirit of the holiday and the spirit of giving, for each entry received I am going to personally make a donation to a foundation that is NEAR and DEAR to the heart of my family.

My brother, who is a Chicago area policeman, was injured on duty and while being treated for his injury, almost lost his life and eyesight to a devastating disease called Steven Johnson's Syndrome.  His condition was caused by a severe reaction to antibiotics.
  
It was through the love and support of friends and family and the expertise of his doctors that he survived.  My heart goes out to Dr. Steven Maskin, here in Tampa, Florida, who through his incredible knowledge and research allowed my brother a second chance at life and our family to continue to be blessed by his presence.  



Dr. Maskin's passion in caring for his patients and his all his hard work is incredible. I want to continue to help support his efforts to help others with this devastating disease as well as the other diseases he researches.  

All my contributions will go to the Ocular Research and Education Foundation. This is my PERSONAL way of thanking him for his expertise, support and diligence!! 

Soooo.... get your creative juices flowing, share this blog and check back in a day or two for final entry details!

"I may look like a princess now, but wait 'till I put on my Craft Clothes!"