Painting/decorating unfinished furniture??

[kdibattista]

I'm hoping to paint and decorate and unfinished children's rocking chair for my soon to be neice. Problem is... I've never done this before and my ideas always seem to be much bigger then my ability . Am I in for a rough time? I was looking to paint it with an ivory distressed kit (which seems easy enough) and then either stencil or applique it.

Does anyone have any advice or tips? Should I quit before I start .

Thanks!!!