504 Main by Holly Lefevre: May 2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

DIY Club! Finally Fat-Free Biscuits!

I have already professed my love of the hardware store

and how it inspires craft projects...

and occasionally the home improvement project beyond my skill level.

For June's DIY Club, I thought I would celebrate Summer...

and it's bright happy days, full of sunshine and laughter.

{and the occasional "Mom, I'm bored."}

A few Fridays ago, my pal Iris of ArcoIris and Til Death Do Us Art was a Tickled Pink feature and she had these AMAZING earrings. There were totally my inspiration! Thanks Iris!

So, back to my ramblings...
One of my favorite hardware store doodads is the biscuit. I simply adore the shape and versatility of this little goodie. And, finally I have discovered a fat-free biscuit!

So what do you get when you have a cheapo decorator table laying in your garage, a container of plate joining biscuits, and some super fabulous bright summery Patio Paints from DecoArt? Well, I am going to give you a party cocktail table turned hanging medallion.

Supplies

1. 20” Decorator table (from craft store, etc. – The kind with the screw in legs) OR any round table you can find hanging around or at a thrift store. The craft table provides the option of hanging this project on the wall as a medallion.

2. OPTIONAL, but RECOMMENDED: glass topper for table.*****

3. Plate joining biscuits (from hardware store, like Home Depot)

4. Gorilla Glue Wood Glue

5. Wide foam brush (2”)

6. Smaller paint brushes

7. Patio Paints from DecoArt

* Blue Bahama (8oz.)

* Citrus Green (2 oz)

* Azalea (2 oz.)

* Marigold (2 oz.)

* Petunia Purple (2 oz.)
8. Sealer
*****TO USE THIS AS A TABLE, I HIGHLY SUGGEST USING A GLASS TABLE TOPPER TO KEEP ICK, DIRT, AND RANDOM STUFF OUT OF THE CREVICES AND SPACES.*****

Want To DIY IT! Click HERE for a pdf tutorial.

See how ugly my table was before...ICK!

Better now, eh?

Guess what?

You can take the legs off and hang it on the wall for a little bit of cheer!

I have another DIY project using biscuits that I will be posting on Tuesday!

Check out the Trio of Summer Medallions
I also created for the DIY Club!

VISIT THE DIY CLUB'S BLOG

AND FOR INFO ON THE JUNE CHALLENGE.

IT STARTS THIS FRIDAY JUNE 4!

Come on now...can't you just picture hanging out with

a margarita or sparkling lemonade and some salsa!

What is your favorite beverage to keep you cool in the summer?

DISCLOSURE: As part of the DIY Club, I have been supplied with vendor sponsored products to complete my projects (DecoArt, Gorilla Glue, and DISChangers).

Friday, May 28, 2010

Tickled Pink No. 8 with a HOP!

It's time for Tickled Pink No. 8 with a Hop!
Link up so you can show everyone what tickles you pink on your blog,
and share this on your own blog by clicking on
the link down there that says,
"What is a blog hop? Get the code here..."
You can link up without putting the blog hop on your blog.
{see bottom of post for more info}

*************************
First a quick little "Hey!" to everyone.
I am still lost in a mountain of dishes and dust
and I am trying to make my way through blogland...
but it isn't easy when the 2 year old thinks she has a ton of new toys
{aka knives and glass dishes}...and to top it off...school is out!
So, I may be slacking in my visits, but this will change soon!
*************************
NOW...on to business!

This week, I'm tickled pink about...

what's for dinner!

frugal living

a heartfelt project

a salute to our country!

*************************

This week, dinner is provided by

Alex at

Ma What's For Dinner – Getting your kids to eat what you cook

From the moment I met Alex, I knew I was going to like her!She is simply awesome...
and she makes cookies for breakfast...enough said!
OK, I told a fib...there is more...
she has fabulous recipes and ideas to spice up meal time.
Go check out her vlog on how to make So Chic Sushi Rolls.
Oh, you don't "do" sushi? These are full of veggies!
Then there is her Kickin' Chicken Stroganoff...
it makes me hungry just reading the recipe...
and quite frankly, I'd make it just because the name rocks!

Now don't these recipes sound divine! Guess what? Alex has a book!
{available is the old fashioned version and an e-book}...
Do I smell a giveaway? Keep going to find out!
Well, I always love anything that does double duty...so when you buy her book,
15% of the proceeds go to the charity Fight SMA.
You can read all about why Alex chose this charity here!

What are you waiting for? Head over there tell Alex "Hey!"
And checkout some recipes before the kids start asking
"Ma, What's for Dinner?"
{!!!giveaway at the bottom of the post!!!}
*************************

tips for frugal living

are from Nikki at Simple Living in a Big City

In the first "I'm Tickled Pink," I spoke about how I complicate everything. Well, I also tend to spend lots of cash while trying to make things simple and frugal. No fear...Nikki is here to help! She has a series of Frugal Tips Friday at her blog, like...

How to make your own laundry soap...which I am totally trying!

I have already called around to find out who carries Washing Powder.

Nikki makes your own granola too!

I am all over this too...that darn granola is pricey!

And as if I wasn't totally won over,
She even has a homemade hair mask recipe!

A beauty tip....SCORE!

What's on tap for this week's Frugal Tip?

Go check out what Nikki has to say...
{hint, hint}

it may help you with your summer travels!

*************************

a heartfelt project

is from Jan at bobbypins boardwalk

I first saw this beautiful project as part of the DIY Club's May challenge. Jan's Memory Box to Remember, on it's own is utterly beautiful and fabulous, but this gorgeous piece was made for her daughters graduation. So, now, add heartfelt and sentimental and I am a goner...totally and completely in L-O-V-E! It is elegant and simply, perfectly the kind of gift I {or anyone} would be honored to receive.

Jan's blog is actually filled with wonderful and creative ideas of all kinds.

Her twig wall decor is right up my alley...

I have twigs a plenty and she makes them look chic and stylish.

Her fabulous Wine Lover's deLIGHT would dress up

any table and add some serious atmosphere!

I am actually intrigued with this tutorial on Library Bookshelves.

I have too many books - rephrase that...you can never have too many books...I just don't have enough room to put them all! Now I am inspired.

Go take a peek at bobbypins boardwalk you will love what you see!

*************************

a salute to our country

is from Malia at Yesterday on Tuesday.

I am a huge fan of her blog and style anyway, but last week, she linked up with Tickled Pink and her fabulous patriotic banner. It is the perfect time to make one...use it now and on the 4th...and, if you are like me, I would probably find a place for it in my family room year round.

I thought this was the perfect banner to celebrate our country and special holidays!

*************************

Of course I am tickled PINK to announce the NEXT DIY Club challenge!

It is on for 6/3! Go visit our website, for new simplified rules
and join up to follow along so you do not miss out!

I'll be posting my project very, very soon!

*************************

My friends over at Saving Money, Living Life

have just started her own Linky party called Fabulous Fridays...

go check out their premiere!

*************************

Who won this awesome book?

Re-Creative: 50 Projects for Turning Found Items Into Contemporary Design
The winner is...

Heather from Gerber Days

{as scientifically selected by my kiddos}

*************************

Oh, you wanted another giveaway!?

How about the

"Ma, What's for Dinner?" E-book

There are 6 ways to enter!

Leave a SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH.

--Entry No. 1 {required}:

*You need to be a follower of 504 Main AND

*You need to leave a relevant comment about at least one feature!!!! "Nice journal", "Nice post," "Learn how to work from home," and the like - doesn't count!
--Entry No. 2:
Go Follow along at the DIY Club, Inc.

--Entry No. 3:

Go give some comment love at Ma, What's for Dinner!

--Entry No. 4:

Go give some comment love at Simple Living in a Big City!

--Entry No. 5:
Go give some comment love at bobbypins boardwalk!
--Entry No. 6

Go give some comment love at Yesterday on Tuesday!

Contest closes Thursday, 6/3/10 at 11:59 p.m. EST

The winner will be announced on Friday 6/4/10.

*************************
!!!THE BLOG HOP!!!!
I want to see what tickles you pink on your blog!

Feel free to 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?}

PINK RULES
*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****
*It does NOT have to be pink or pink-related*
*Visit 3 people from the link*
*It would be great if you were a follower or subscriber {*wink*}

FINALLY and most IMPORTANTLY

I hope everyone enjoys there long weekend and holiday. Please take a moment to think about the meaning of Memorial Day and those who have paid the ultimate price to keep us safe and free. Also, please think about those currently serving and send your thoughts, good wishes and prayers to them and their families.

What more info on Tickled Pink or how to nominate a product/person/idea/recipe to be featured, click HERE or simply email me! And...it is cool to nominate yourself! Loving all of your ideas!!!!!! Bring them on!

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}

Show me watch you got!

{I have had many email with questions on how to do this...follow the prompts and you should be OK...if not email me..I'll try to help!}

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

This Old House Goes to the Movies

I love my house.

I hate my house.

I love my house.

I hate my house.

I LOVE MY HOUSE!

This back and forth has gone on since the day we put in an offer on this house.The first time I brought my parents up to see the house (prior to moving in) I sat in the family room...a.k.a. The Pine Coffin and cried,
"What have I done?"

It is really nothing against the house. I remember when we were looking for houses and the Realtor pulled up in front of this house. I declared - out loud even -
"I want a house like this one."

So what's the problem?...this house is older, our other two homes were newer. This house is mid-1950's construction. Most of the charm had been remodeled away. I am not quite sure how many different additions this house has...still! I think I was terrified of what it was going to take to make this house ours. However, I have tackled the projects, leading up to the two biggest ones...
the kitchen and master bathroom.

As I have mentioned, the kitchen is the task at hand and for now...and while we do have help in the process...it is a time sucker and has really pulled me away from blog land. My world is currently filled with dust, bondo, dry wall, faucets, granite, tile, caulk, and wires.

My world is also filled with some super-fabulous DIY projects for the DIY Club - you all should head over and follow the DIY Club so you don't miss out! {this site is still under construction, but we are working on it...and you can follow along so as to not miss one single announcement}. I have also cut my coffee consumption {again}...seriously 8 cups of coffee a day cannot be good...so that is not helping at all....it will eventually but not for the moment.

So, as I finish up the kitchen, I dream of a new master bathroom, but for now I will be happy that the saloon doors are no longer a part of said master bathroom. And I will look for escapes, like the following, in my daily DIY routine to kill time...

Now for the fun part {sorry, I have never been able to cut to the chase}!

As I was driving to Home Depot the other day, the local (super-lame) radio show asked, "What is your go-to movie?" Ya know, that one movie that even though you have seen it 100 times cannot pass up if you flip by it. This got me thinking about all the good...and bad...movies I L-O-V-E to watch {or would love to watch if they ever showed them...just wait until you see my list} no matter what.

In no particular order, my go-to movies!

*Top Gun*

*Youngblood*

*Six Pack*

*Breakfast Club*

*Shawshank Redemption*

*Any Bourne movie*

*Witches of Eastwick*

*Strange Brew*

*Gentlemen Prefer Blondes*

Odd selection, perhaps?

So, what is your go-to movie?

PS-I do LOVE my house...I love and adore its quirks...I have found it's charm...
I have made it ours. It is not a just a house...it is home - sans saloon doors!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Tickled Pink {Lucky} No. 7 with a Hop! And A DIY Club Winner!

It's time for Tickled Pink {Lucky} No. 7 with a Hop!
Link up so you can show everyone what tickled you pink,
and share this on your own blog by clicking on
the link down there that says,
"What is a blog hop? Get the code here..."

{see bottom of post for more info}
Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for the linky and and the NEW giveaway!

*************************
Of course I am tickled PINK to announce

the WINNER of the DIY Club's first challenge!

Out of the Crayon Box's

DIY Lemonade Stand!
Go visit the DIY Club Inc.'s site for more info.
The next challenge is soon!
**************************
NOW...on to business!

This week, I'm tickled pink about...

some innovative creativity

a fairy tale redo

a treat for your senses

and some beautiful essentials!

*************************
some innovative creativity
is courtesy of Gabrielle at i.craft@beewise bags

Gabrielle is a crafter and all around inspiration.
In her own words,
"The basic gist of my main blog is innovation and makin' it work!
I have become a master of not going to get something at the store...
I noodle it and noodle it until I figure out how
to complete a project with what I have."
I L-O-V-E this philosophy.
It Tickles Me Pink!

So, do you want to check out some of Gabrielle's FABULOUS,
totally spectacular projects?
How about some Anthropolgie-style looks
using brooches and some of Gabrielle's "magic."
High style for a fraction of the price!
Beautiful!

Or some seriously cute paper crafting
{I just go ga-ga for paper crafts!}
Or making and styling your own clothes.
{a lady after my own heart!}

And, then there is something I really N-E-E-D...
How to schedule creativity!
"a post about how to be TOO busy and still do
the creative things that make life worth living. :)"

Last, but not least...and certainly not
the end of all the greatness over at i.craft@beewisebags...

Reusable Everyday,

an "endeavor to inspire people to reuse, reinvent and

reconsume many of the things in our daily lives that are available."
There is even a gallery of "reusable" projects...
some with tutorials, but all with great inspiration!

Oops..almost forgot...she just opened a shop called Modern Gingham!
I love gingham...love the name...anyone remember the Gingham Girls Paper Dolls?
Gabrielle's blog, her crafts, and her ideas are inspiring and innovative.

*************************

a fairy tale redo

is Lourie from CA Girl

Lourie is a fellow tall, CA Girl,
but that is not the only reason I {heart} her!
She is a mom who share stories and insights from her kids,
she knows which battles to choose,
and she is fresh and honest and a whole lotta fun to read.

Her take on Cinderella is inspired.
I cannot even describe it...you just have to go read it!
Like any good princess, I am tickled pink about it!

She is not afraid to tackle {slightly} controversial subjects,
like school uniforms and vaccinating your kids....
but you know what is awesome?
She discusses these subjects thoughtfully and
then her readers engage in a respectful adult interaction about them.
Go and enjoy sometime with the CA Girl !

*************************
a treat for your senses
is from Yvonne at StoneGable

Yvonne has this amazing tutorial for making Chive Blossom Vinegar.

Flavor infused vinegars and oils area weakness of mine.
I love them. I have not made any in ages...
but this tutorial and these photos are so gorgeous.
I cannot wait to make my own!

Is that not gorgeous?! I need some NOW!

Yvonne also has a blog full of amazing ideas.

Go check out this tutorial and her other ideas...

I'll be sharing some of my faves later!

{hint, hint}

*************************
Here are a couple of beautiful essentials that are TICKLING ME PINK!
{just so ya know...I am still on the hunt for the Artichoke Cupcakes recipe}

I {heart} makeup! I am always on the hunt for something new.
Heather, my pal at Gerber Days told me about the best eyeshadow primer.
I have not had a chance to try it, but Heather is an expert..
so if you are in the market,
check out Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
{It's called a potion..it must be good!}

{PHOTO, SEPHORA}
You should also check out her cute hair braid tutorial
{for grown ups and kids!}.
I managed to do it to my own hair and
had a ton of compliments today!
*************************
On the subject of makeup...
my favorite lip gloss, as recommended to me by a
makeup stylist extraordinaire at Design Visage,
is Wet N Wild's MegaSlicks color 568.

{PHOTO, wnwbeauty}
{I know, I know...that is like from Junior High! Stick with me}
This color looks FAB on everyone, it is cheap...I mean cost effective, and easily accessible at most drug stores. At around 2 bucks a pop, I can keep lip gloss in each car, all of the purses {I switch purses a lot}, both bathrooms, you name it, I am never at a loss for lip gloss.
*************************
Who won this awesome book?

Crystal from Wanna Be Balanced Mom
Now we want to see photos of your garden!

*************************

Oh, you wanted another giveaway!?

OK, ARE YOU READY TO REPURPOSE!?

You can win a copy of this cool book filled with repurposing ideas!

It is full of fun crafts and inspiration.

Re-Creative: 50 Projects for Turning Found Items Into Contemporary Design

image from amazon

There are 6 ways to enter! Leave a SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH.

--Entry One {required}:

*You need to be a follower of 504 Main

*You need to leave a relevant comment about at least one feature!!!! "Nice journal", "Nice post," "Learn how to work from home," and the like - doesn't count!

--Entry Two:

Go give some comment love at i.craft@beewisebags!

--Entry Three:

Go give some comment love at CA Girl !

--Entry Four:

Go give some comment love at StoneGable!

--Entry Five:

Subscribe to my Feedburner Feed

--Entry Six:

Join my Blog Frog Community....go right over there and click on it.

Contest closes Thursday, 5/27/10 at 11:59 p.m. EST

The winner will be announced on Friday 5/28/10.

*************************
!!!THE BLOG HOP!!!!
I want to see what tickles you pink on your blog!

Feel free to 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?}

PINK RULES
*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*
*It does NOT have to be pink or pink-related*
*Visit 3 people from the link*
*It would be great if you were a follower or subscriber {*wink*}

Show me watch you got!

{I have had many email with questions on how to do this...follow the prompts and you should be OK...if not email me..I'll try to help!}

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}

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Watch Out For Friday! And Thursday Too!

Progress is being made!!!!!!

I have beautiful new countertops!

Granite where have you been all my life?
It is true L-O-V-E!

I take photos every day...I am giddy!

Just a little reminder,
that while I am Tickled pink about finally
spiffying up the kitchen,
Tickled Pink
- the blog hop -
will be here on Friday.
Click HERE for last weeks post.
Thanks everyone for linking up! Who is going to be Tickled Pink this week?????

Come back Friday and find out!

You can still enter to win the giveaway for this book too.

*******************************
Now for some more fun stuff...

I had every intention of joining in with
Think Tank Momma and Share a Spoon today.
Not going to happen.
I fear I am finding the balance that has
been missing in my life/blog life coexistence!
And real life is winning!
The theme is grilling this week...
so go visit her and check out
some great recipes for grill season.
I have a recipe...I'll just have to share it later.

*******************************

I was also going to join with this
lovely lady at Pink Preppy Lilly Lover
for Pink and Green Thursday.

Not happening either...And it was a tablescape!

I have not done one of those in ages either.
Next week, perhaps?

*******************************

Then, there is VOTING for the DIY Club.
LAST CHANCE.
Voting ends at Midnight EST Thursday.

Click HERE to get to the original post and

for links {and details} to all the projects

You are welcome to send people over to vote for your project.

ANYONE CAN VOTE

But you only get ONE vote.
You may post about it on Twitter, Your Blog, Facebook, etc.

You only get one chance to vote...

so pick who you think 'deserves to be crowned' accordingly.

We will announce the Grand Prize Winner on Friday morning.

To view the complete tutorials and larger pictures click each number below
#4 Click Here
#17 Click Here
#18 Click Here
#29 Click Here
#32 Click Here
#33 Click Here
#37 Click Here
#38 Click Here
#39 Click Here
#42 Click Here Click HERE for more info on the DIY Club. ***********************************************COMMENTS OFF**** GO VISIT THINK TANK MOMMA AND PINK PREPPY LILLY LOVER.GO VOTE FOR THE DIY CLUBGET YOUR POSTS READY FOR TICKLED PINK!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Pure Craziness In the Kitchen!

So, y'all know I am a little crazy.

I like to take on too many projects at one time.

Usually they are small, but not this time.

Finally...and I mean finally...

after 5 years of living in this house,

we are tackling our kitchen.

I won't even post a before shot until

I have a good after shot...

because it is that bad.

In my dreams, I hired someone to come in and

take over and then woke up one day, after vacationing in a villa somewhere

and poof, just like magic it was done and paid for...

but, then a 2 year old jumped on my head and

woke me up and brought me back to my reality.

Honestly, every contractor I spoke with, every kitchen designer

I talked to told me some of my ideas were crazy...

and somewhere down deep I know I am right!!!!!!

And that I could not let someone else take over...

so I am putting on my painter/contractor/DIY hat and hitting the tile.

It is not a crazy gut job...but enough to make me crazy
and make it look like my kitchen threw up in my living room.
So, my and my two wonderful assistants will be painting and scraping,
and sanding away for the next few weeks...and I HOPE
to have some great photos to show you
- and hopefully it is the work I have done...
not work I had to call someone in to do because I screwed up.

So, my presence here will be sporadic...
you know I cannot completely stay away!
Although today I pretty much had too...
hubby would have sledgehammered the computer
if he came home and I had a new blog post,
but the kitchen cupboards were still full...
demo starts tomorrow!

And I have some new project to work on for the DIY Club...
did you all go vote. Click HERE to get to the post and
view the top ten and then GO VOTE!

And not to worry...
{like you were going too!}

I am not sure if there will be a post before Friday or not,

but Tickled Pink will be here this Friday
and will be a Blog Hop again!

Who is going to be Tickled Pink this week?????

Come back Friday and find out!

That was fun...thanks everyone for linking up!

Click HERE to check out last weeks Tickled Pink!

You can still enter to win the giveaway,

Welcome visitors from Twee Poppets!