My Village People- finale

Here's the thing, whatever you commit to creatively becomes the center of your thinking...

like...

even though decorative painting projects like this aren't nearly as big a part of my daily business anymore...

[caption id="attachment_5982" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="(ah, the crew. I hired these gals to spend a month with me in Yountville 'Napa, wine country, paradise' painting in this house. We lived in the guest house and had lunches overlooking mustard fields- hard work and heaven)"][/caption]

I still think and design like a decorative painter. I think in layers and patterns, tools and techniques...

And the people I work with are at the center of that thinking too. That includes the artists and creatives like those you've met this week...

and the heavy duty product people like Casey and Carlos...

When Sherwin-Williams asked me to test their new Emerald paint and said I could have all the paints I needed for the DIY videos, I went to these strong, helpful gents right away...

I'd show up at 7am on shoot days and there'd be coffee brewing and these smiley guys eager to help...

They're always listening and thinking of what they can offer to make my project a success. Thanks, guys!!

[caption id="attachment_5988" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Let it go, Casey. It's mine now, let it go ;-)"][/caption]

And the paint? Loved it!

We filmed and painted several areas in tight quarters for looong days...

(did I mention the windows and doors have to be closed too? Thanks, sound guy)

Sherwin-Williams Emerald paint made the whole thing possible because the coverage was great, the fumes were non-existent, and the crew could just keep going and going... and going

And then there's Shur-Line, painting tool masters!, who came to me years ago when they saw me using their rollers on Fresh Coat.

I'd already been using their rollers for years by then, so meeting them was an exciting honor...

When I find the tools and products that make my work easier, I really do get such a soft spot for the people behind them. They become part of the team, my  go-to people, for every project.

(Shur-Line did a really cool contest and video a few years ago. I got to design the winner's room, we all got to do the makeover! What a blast!)

When I told Shur-Line I was doing the DIY videos, they sent me boxes and boxes o' stuff! Felt like I was on Oprah!

Thanks, Shur-Line for always making my big projects easier! Loved the quick release rollers,

the teflon coated paint trays,

and bamboo paint brushes, oh my!

Seriously, this may sound like an advertisement. I haven't been paid by either of these groups or any of the people in this week's posts for these accolades. I just truly love my work and appreciate every element of the process from those reliable products to the awesome people! Collaborating, imagining, experimenting, learning, succeeding, that's what makes it all so darn fun.

Thank you all for everything you do for me!!!

And thank you, DIY Network for letting me share some of my painting ideas and projects for Do-It-Yourselfers looking to try something colorful and a little unexpected. Hope you love the videos, try the projects, and make something beautiful that's all your own!