Tickled Pink No. 17

What does it mean to be Tickled Pink?

"The tickling pink concept is of enjoyment great enough

to make the recipient glow with pleasure ."

-The Phrase  Finder

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I am tickled pink because... 
well, honestly, today did not tickle me anything...
Between the book deadline,
getting lost in Pebble Beach for one hour+++ and almost running out of gas,
back to school shopping and preparing,
doctors appointments, preschool drama,
and finishing up some DIY...I am beat!
On the pink side...
I did get to have coffee with a good friend
and watch Project Runway...that does tickle me pink!
AND

writing Tickled Pink makes me very happy

so that I will get a little perk me up!!
Oh yeah, can you say "L.A., Baby!" Hello sunshine! Here I come.

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Now, it is time for Tickled Pink No. 17!
{some of you may be happy...this post is shorter than usual!}
******* 
Don't be shy! 
Nominate a  product/person/idea/recipe/your own blog to be featured, 
click HERE or simply email me! 

It is cool  to nominate yourself! I am only one person and blogland is ginormous... 

I would love your input...I know there are amazing finds out there that I have not seen!

NOW...Link up...

a craft...a recipe...a tip...a party...a short  story...a poem...a fashion find...
a  favorite product...your favorite post...whatever makes your blog  fabulous.
You get the idea, right? 
Guess what? You post does not have to be PINK!!

This day is about stuff we {heart}  from our own blogs or from others. 
Click HERE for the "I've Been Tickled Pink" featured button.
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NOW...on to BUSINESS! 

wit, sass, sarcasm...and a little gin
smile and glam
where are your roots
{swoon} ruffles {swoon}
you light up my blog 
SPOTLIGHT

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wit and sass...and a little gin

Who could I possibly be talking about?

Ericka from Alabaster Cow of course!

When I began Tickled Pink I wanted to be able to include blogs of all types - not just crafty, not just cooking - but to also highlight the amazing wit and writing that is out there!

Ericka personifies that and much more. And in her "about" section she used my favorite word about 1,000,000 times {oh crap!}. Ericka's style is real, sometimes raw, and honest.

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Dear Ava is a post I adore - the perspective on welcoming her new baby girl is awesome. I am not one of the heart and flowers types of moms. Being a mom scares the carp out of me on a daily basis. But I wouldn't change it for the world. ********

How to Write a Book cracks me up and I can identify...and I bet a whole lot of you can too. So  grab your notebook and triple latte {mocha for me!} and let's write!

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Do you Facebook? Do you "like" it? A little perspective on what those little status updates aren't saying!

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An ode to the bad news fridge and the reason Ericka may be the way she is.
What's a bad news fridge...you just have to go find out for yourself.
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Take a peek, and say hi to Alabaster Cow, enjoy some fresh and well thought out writing 
{not for the weak by the way! Crap again!} and some gin!
{much of this will make sense if you go visit!}
Check this out too!

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Smile!

 I so often get caught up in play dough, karate, and crayons, I forget about the beautiful images and inspiration floating around out there.

Georgia is the go-to glam girl of

Simply Smile Photography and Going Glam with Gi Gi.

I get an instant smile when I see the beauty on her blogs...

and I LOVE the name Gi Gi!

Her posts are simple, stunning, and

she also incorporates some really beautiful quotes.

Pink Love is filled with some gorgeous images

and a sweet observation about the rose.

I am a night owl. I enjoy sitting outside and looking at the moon, I always have.

Light of the Moon is a post filled with dreamy images of the night and the moonlight. Kind of makes me want to dance in the moonlight.

If you are looking for some gorgeous images to make your day, pay Georgia a visit.

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where are your roots?

A few years ago I began looking into my family tree. I got a little sidetracked and put it aside. I have so few relatives alive that can share anything with me, but I am fascinated nonetheless. Well, I recently found out a little nugget {which I will share later} and am back on track {hopefully}. Which is why I find so many of Kimberly at Terra Del Sole's posts on her ancestry so fascinating. The stories of where we all come from our so intriguing and worth knowing. Go visit Terra Del Sole on Friday's when she dives into her ancestry.

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{swoon} ruffles {swoon}

I cannot get enough of ruffles!

Lisa at Moore Minutes has a completely gorgeous post on ruffles!

Just go check it out if you want some girly ruffly goodness.
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you light up my blog

I'm cheating a little...this was actually from last week, but it has been on my mind. I use so many photos on my blog and I find it hard to get a good photo sometimes. From Scrap Shoppe is this great tutorial on how to make a light box.
I am making one...I love a good photo!
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SPOTLIGHT  

YOU ARE MAKING THIS DIFFICULT! IN A GOOD WAY!

I have a hard time choosing...I am trying to give everyone their spotlight...but man here is so much good stuff on this linky...certain things just catch my eye at certain times!
A big huge-a-licious THANK YOU for all who have participated and visited and picked up the blog hop on their blogs. I  am so enjoying visiting your links and seeing what Tickles You Pink! Who will be in the SPOTLIGHT next week?  

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A little Getting Over Myself is an inspired and touching post from Simoney at GreatFun4Kids.
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 A gorgeous Parisian wreath from Frenchy at La Chateau des Fleurs
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 A tutorial for seriously chic and sassy potholders {I need new ones} from Just Sew Sassy.

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 A FAB bath redo with a FAB budget from Gracie Green Home.

Looks like a million bucks {the bath is next on our DIY list}.

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Clever, clever, clever! Paisley Passions upside down shelf is awesome.

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A little of this, a little of that, and some bling from Still Waters.
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 A super fun frame idea from Yesterday on Tuesday.

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Who doesn't love a lollipop. Thanks to Bird Crafts for the tutorial on how to make one!

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 Kitschalicous calls them the coolest night lights ever...and I think they are!

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A super cute hat {we all could use a hat right?} from less cake {more frosting}.

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Who won last week's giveaway....drum roll please.....
Lisa from Moore Minutes

{if you want to know how I pick these...I scientifically ask my son for a number between 1 and however many comments there are. So technical!} 
You may notice I made a boo-boo about my deadline last week...OOPS!

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This week's giveaway is {again}:

The Healthy Home Workbook: Easy Steps for Eco-Friendly Living

 
Hope it tickles you pink! 

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There is ONE way to enter! 

--Entry No. 1 {required}: 

*You need to be a follower of 504 Main {some of you may want to double-check if you are tyring to enter} AND

*You need to leave a relevant comment about at least one feature!!!!

Contest begins on 7/29/10 and closes Thursday, 8/5/10 at 11:59 p.m. EST 
The  winner will be announced on Friday 8/6/10.

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Happy Friday!
Crazy days here...what's new!

I am visiting your links, but due to extenuating circumstance,
my commenting is lagging...sorry!
 I know everyone is super busy right now!

Thanks for taking the time to link up!

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****I reserve the right to remove posts that are offensive or do not adhere to the rules, without any discussion, at my discretion.****

****These are my own opinions. No one has offered me anything, nor have I accepted anything to include them in this post. Prizes are supplied by me.**** 
{photos appearing here are copyrighted and property of the respective blogs featured}

<a href="http://www.504main.com"><img alt="504 Main" src=" http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac35/Holly7081/Grab_button_150-1-3.jpg" /></a>

Show Me What you Got!
PINK RULES
*It does NOT have to be pink or pink-related* 
*Pretty please...add the Tickled Pink button to the post* 
{people need to know what the heck they are doing!}  
*It does NOT have to be a new post*
***PLEASE LINK TO A POST URL, NOT YOUR MAIN URL****
*Visit some peeps on the hop*

*It would be great if you were a follower or subscriber {*wink*}

Say It Ain't So...Back to School Already

Yes, it is true...my son goes back to school in 2 weeks.

Pure craziness if you ask me!

Growing up we did not go back to school until

after Labor Day. Early August seems much to soon...

and we have only had like 3 days of sun.

{do I complain about no sun too much..yes, but so would you!}

I seem to think I have no traditions...

maybe if I think that then I will put no pressure on

myself to continue and it all remains fun!

There are two things we do every year to commemorate

the start of school:

A beach bonfire to bid adieu to summer.

{Fingers crossed}

A photo in front of the school sign.

An ice cream cone after school.

Simple as that.

I know many of you have great traditions and

ideas for celebrating and coping and preparing.

Me, mainly I wing it. 

Rook No. 17 is hosting a back to school blog hop!

Have you shared an idea for preparing?

Written a great back to school post?

Have wisdom to share? 

Linkup and join the fun.

****COMMENTS OFF****

See you Friday for Tickled Pink!

Please be sure to add the blog hop button {which you can get at the hostess blog} to your “BACK-TO-SCHOOL” themed post, and pay the hostess (Rook No. 17) a visit, to let her know you’ve jumped on board!

DIY Day! A Gift for my Kitchen

I have so many projects in the works...some for me, some for my son, some for my house {you can see the kitchen photos - finally - here!}, and a lot for the DIY Club. We have so many awesome sponsors for the DIY Club...and I am a little too inspired {is that possible...yes it is unless you do not need to sleep}.

So, before I go any further...

Did you know the new DIY Club challenge starts next week?

Are you ready? Are you thinking about it? If not, why?

Do you realize how super-simple it is to enter:

One vendors sponsored product

{Gorilla Glue, Decoart, DISChangers, Rockler, P.K. Glitz, Olive Rue, Cutting Edge Stencils...

and more being added all the time!}

One photos of the product in your post

One little ole DIY Club button on your sidebar or in the post

And do you know what your could win? Hmmm, so you? Some seriously awesome prizes! You do not have to have a crafty type blog...you do not have to build a house...you just have to be able to create something big or little that uses a vendor product. So come on crafters, DIYers, home improvement gurus's - get your glue, paint, glitter, drills, iron, nails out and getting thinking and creating! Did I mention - oh yeah I did - but who cares, I will say it again...there are FABULOUS prizes!

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Now, I am done with my BSA {Blog Service Announcement}

and here is my fun project I have been working on...
A Gift For My {new} Kitchen!
Click HERE for a pdf version of this tutorial

I remember back in "my day" making T-shirts before high school dances - so our group could all match of course! I remember that paint being thick and stiff. Those instances, with the exception of a time or two in between, that was the last time I used fabric paint. Well, recently I received the Americana Fabric Painting Medium by Decoart and I am ready to paint everything. Fabric paint has come a long way! By mixing this medium with your favorite color acrylic paint, you get a soft, creamy and might I say dreamy fabric paint. Yeah!

I began this project with the intention of making some flour sack towels -

which I did, but ended up loving the fabric painting medium so much

and the results I got that I went on to make placements and napkins...

and I see an apron in my future!

Here's how to make your own!

Supplies

-Americana Fabric Painting Medium by Decoart

-Americana Acrylic Paint in Yellow Ochre by Decoart

-Americana Acrylic Paint in Plum by Decoart

-Paint brush, sponge brush, or stencil pouncer {I used the pouncer and brush}

-Flour Sack towels OR cloth napkins OR cloth placemats

-Freezer paper

-Craft Knife (optional)

-Stencil of choice {or free hand a design}. NOTE: I made a few stencils and then found a great stencil for free at Ready Made Magazine as part of Refurbished Beach Chair project {Have you checked out Ready Made - the best magazine!}. You can also find stencils from Cutting Edge Stencils

-You will also need a jar or plate for mixing the medium, and iron/ironing board, and access to a washing machine.

DIY IT!
-Wash and dry the towel/napkin/placemat

-Print out stencil - 2 sizes one larger and one smaller- and cut design out on freezer paper using a craft knife {or scissors}. I have never used freezer paper before, although I have seen it around since I began blogging - the best! I was able to cut up to 6 layers of freezer paper at one time, which saved a lot of time since I used multiple stencils for my project.

-Iron your fabric to get out wrinkles {if necessary}

-Trim around each stencil and place individual stencils onto project.

-Iron freezer paper down to fabric.

-Mix your paint and fabric painting medium at a 2:1 ratio

-Begin painting, by lightly brushing or pouncing over the stencil. Begin with the lightest color first {yellow ochre}. 

-Let dry 24 hours and come back with the smaller stencil.

-Place and iron smaller stencil onto project, overlapping larger flower in areas.

-Mix darker paint and medium.

-Paint by lightly brushing or pouncing over the stencil with the darker color {Plum}. 

-Let dry for 24-48 hours.

-Heat set for 30 seconds with iron.

-Wash on gently cycle {inside out if a garment}.

{sample of my overall placement}

So, who's up for it?

Who's joining me and
the others for the DIY Club challenge?

Have questions...just ask.
It really is easy, I promise!

DISCLOSURE: As part of the DIY Club, I have been supplied with vendor sponsored products to complete my projects. The opinions are projects are my own. See, my disclosure policy for more information.