A few weeks ago, I shared the new pictures that Maria of Dreamy Whites took for my milk paint line.  They are so beautiful and she captured exactly the feel I wanted to convey.  This picture was one of my favorites…

She had painted one of her antique French pitchers in “French Enamel” milk paint.  She let me know she had sent a package to me containing the thumb drive with the high resolution version of the images, so I wasn’t surprised when a delivery truck pulled up and there was a knock at my door.  I was surprised, though, when I opened the door and saw a large box.  I know there’s more than a thumb drive in there!  When you get a large box from someone like Maria, you drop everything and open it.  The scent of lavender wafted out and I hurriedly dug through the tissue.  This is what I unwrapped…

I couldn’t believe it.  She sent me the beautiful pitcher painted in my milk paint.  She also stuffed a couple of lavender pouches inside.

The thumb drive was even in a pretty sack.

Maria was so gracious to make the time to work with me and then she sent ME a gift with a thank you card.  That just speaks to the kind of person she is.

Now, as great as that gift is, and it will be always treasured (don’t even ask to buy it), Maria gave me an even greater gift.  I was taking a casual approach to my brand and paint line and I finally recognized that I needed to bring someone in with a fresh perspective.  Maria gave me that fresh perspective and has inspired the look for all of my recent photo shoots with the products.

We’re even tweaking the branding and website around the look of her photographs.

Inspiration…that gift is priceless.

Maria sells her French antique finds in an online shop and you can find pitchers similar to the one she sent me HERE.

Speaking of Maria, her beautiful home is featured in this year’s issue of BHG Christmas Ideas…

Maria is so gorgeous…

I always enjoy seeing my friends featured in magazines.  I know they are real women with real families on real budgets and it’s great to see their talents recognized.

There are a couple of other girls I know in that issue – The Nester…

…and Flea Market Trixie.  Congrats, ladies.  You deserve a little limelight.

PS – This is not a featured post.  Maria sent me this gift and the only “strings” attached were the lengths of red & white dutch butcher twine.  I love her work and will give her all of the link love I can.