504 Main by Holly Lefevre

Friday, May 7, 2010

Hop on Over and Join the DIY Club!

THERE IS STILL TIME TO LINK UP...

PROJECTS CAN BE SUBMITTED THROUGH 5/13/10.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE AMAZING PRIZES?

GO CHECK OUT THE GREAT IDEAS AND BE INSPIRED...

LINKUP AND SHOW US YOUR STUFF!
{Scroll to the bottom of the post to join the blog hop.}
BE SURE TO READ THE REQUIREMENTS THOUGH!
YOU MUST USE AT LEAST ONE OF THE THREE SPONSORED
PRODUCTS AND TAKE A PHOTO OF YOUR FINISHED
PROJECT WITH THE PRODUCT/PRODUCTS YOU USED

My projects -
You Crackle Me Up
and
A Perfect 4 the Porch Table
are posted just below

or click on the photos over there on the sidebar.

Enjoy the party!

All other linky parties, on each of the 5 blogs will continue as scheduled {ie. The Weekend Wrap Up Party, Tickled Pink Fridays, It's so Very Cheri Parties, The Sunday Showcase, etc.}

If you would like to become a DIY Club Sponsor or contribute to the monthly giveaways please contact Cheri@ItsSoVeryCheri.com

~MAY SPONSORS~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DISChangers can be purchased at the
DISChangers website for the lowest prices anywhere.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~Additional MAY Giveaways~~

$50 Credit to Craftify It

To visit Craftify It Click Here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

$50 Gift Certificate to Southern Living at Home

Carmella Fryar, Director, Independent Consultant

To view catalog visit

Southern Fried Dreams by Clicking Here

{the catalog will be on the right side bar}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An Awesome Craigslist APP

from CONRADICAL

Be sure to check out their website to see all the cool features of this APP

Click on CraigSELECT to go see all the awesome features of this NEWLY RELEASED APP

They are only $2.99--grab them up so you can grab up the best Craigslist deals.

~~~~~~~~~

~The DIY CLUB~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Each of us gals have worked on projects,

so you can learn about these awesome products.

I know you will enjoy all of the tutorials.

There is an array of ideas.

3 of us did 2 tutorials for you.

Enjoy!!!

~~~~~

The DIY Club inc projects:

~~~~~

Amy from WhisperWood Cottage

Click on "TABLE" to see her tutorial

Holly from 504 Main

Click on "TABLE" and "PLATES" to see her 2 tutorials

Jennifer from Tatertots & Jello
Click on "Saucepan Birdhouses" to see her tutorial

Cheri from Its So Very Cheri

Click on "Window Box" and "Plates" to see her tutorials

Stephanie from Under the Table and Dreaming

Click on"Flag" and "Abacus" to see her 2 tutorials

Grab the Blog Hop

Thursday, May 6, 2010

DIY Club! You Crackle Me Up!

I am just in L-O-V-E with the look of plates on the wall!

I tend to have more wall space than floor space these days

{and, BONUS...the kids cannot reach that high!}.

I have seen so many FAB collections lately, but have not quite been able to find the right plates for my own walls. The styles and designs I found in catalogs and stores were never quite right. I prefer old, vintage, kind of beat up looking decor {I actually rarely look at a Pottery Barn catalog - gasp! Please keep reading, I am not that weird!}. I also have an interesting color palette in my home {purple living room walls, for example}, and I was only interested in shopping at thrift stores, Goodwill, etc. {it is more fun and I am cheap!}. So, my solution...make my own little vignette of customized plates. Perfection for my imperfectly charming home!

Textured Medallion Plate Art
{click HERE for a pdf document}
This design is rough and cracked and imperfect just the way I like it! The most challenging aspect of this project was the size of plates I chose...and the fact that they are curved {I was not stenciling on a flat surface}. I had to hold the stencil carefully due to the curvature of the plates. By using larger plates or doing this on a tray, for example, the process would be much simpler, but like most things I like to make it a challenge!

There are many options for this project. You can use any colors, any size plates, any stencils or embellishments. The following supplies and directions are for the art I have created for my home.

Supplies

DecoArt Primer/Sealer

DecoArt Texture Crackle, Yellow Ochre

DecoArt Texture Stencil, Royal Tile
DecoArt Satin Enamel Paint, black

Gorilla Glue

DISChangers, in corresponding sizes

Large stiff paintbrush (or palette knife)

1 - 2 Smaller stiff paintbrush (one with fine tip, one with 1/4 ╥ wide bristles)

1 - 12" plate

3 - 8" plates
1 - 6" plate

NOTE: I looked for plates with interesting edges and details on the rim...I think it made the perfect built-in frame for my collection.
Note: Sizes may vary

DIY it!

*Paint all plates with the DecoArt Enamel in black and let dry completely. This may take 2 coats {I recommend it}. Most of the plates I found had a white backgrounds and "interesting" patterns. I knew I did not want the pattern/background showing through my crackle, so a coat or two of paint was in order.

*On the 12" plate, and one of the 8" plates, apply a coat of primer/sealer and let dry 24 hours, as per directions.

*Apply DecoArt Texture crackle to the 12" and 8" plate, as per directions. I used a wide stiff fan brush rather than a palette knife because my plates were curved.
*Let dry.

*See below, assembly.

Black Enamel Plates

*Apply a coat of primer/sealer to the remaining 3 - 8" black} plates, and let dry 24 hours, as per directions.
*Decide on and position stencils on the center of the black plates.
NOTE: to accommodate the size of the plates I selected, I had to cut the stencils into smaller pieces.

*Position stencil and using a smaller, stiff brush, apply texture crackle medium to the stencil, while holding the stencil carefully. Apply medium generously, so you will get a good crackle!
NOTE: If you are working on a larger flat surface, you may tape down or use stencil adhesive.

*Carefully remove stencil and let the plate dry completely. NOTE: Between each plate I washed and dried the stencil so as to not get smears or excess paint on the following plates.

{good crackle!}

Assemble It!

*Once everything is dry...
*Position one of the 8" {black} plates and adhere it to the large-12" {yellow} plate using Gorilla Glue. Put a line of Gorilla Glue around the bottom ring of the smaller plate.
*Repeat for the process for the 8" yellow plate and the 6" black plate {measurements may vary}.
*Let dry.

*Layout the plates on a flat surface {table of floor} to determine layout of plates.

Hang It!

*To make hanging easier, cut circles the approximate size of your plates and place them on wall using masking tape to get your positioning the way you want it. {I hung the large plate first and then positioned the others according to my liking}

*Mark nail position

*Using the supplied directions, apply DiscChangers to back of plates. I used 4 in varying sizes to accommodate the weight and size of my plates. Can I tell you how much I L-O-V-E DISChangers - that was the easiest time I have ever had hanging anything and it looks great!

What is your favorite piece of wall art?

Linky for the Blog Hop OPENS at 6PST/9EST on 5/7/2010

Visit my other DIY Club Creation HERE.

Disclosure: As part of the DIY CLub and this vendor sponsored event, I received products to complete my DIY from DiscChangers, Gorilla Glue, and DecoArt. We all want to send a special thank you, to all of our sponsor who sent us these awesome products to work with. Also a special thank you to Brent from Linky Tools for all of his hard work in making this event come together so smoothly. We highly recommend that you post your next party through him--he is a great guy to work with. Visit his new site http://linkytools.com"> Linky Tools.

DIY Club! Perfect on the Porch

I have been DIYing a porch makeover for a couple of weeks now. I started this project with my Dad {and yes, we are still talking}. This is my first time tiling {it is not quite done} and I have a few more things to do before I can call my porch makeover done…and if the weather would cooperate…it would be that much sooner!

{the table before...all dirty and everything!}

While I am waiting for adhesive to dry and final tile selections to be made, I am working on the accessories. I have had this little table on my porch since we moved into the house. I have had every intention of giving it a face lift long ago, but kind-of, sort-of never got around to it…until now! You cannot put an ugly old table on a new FAB porch, can you?

{Yes, I know my bottles and jars are messy...I am a messy crafter}

This table started off with Crazy Aunt M…then moved on to my sister in law and now it is mine…and it is staying that way! I added some spunk and flair with a coat of DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint {Light Avocado} and then textured the top with DecoArt Texture Terra Cotta {Black}. I need some more love, so I also used the DecoArt Texture Stencil {Royal Tiles} for some detail...And you all remember how much I LOVE hardware store finds…so with inspiration from the screen wreath, I used Gorilla Glue to add a little screen skirt to the table.

The DIY will be specific to my style of table, but I think you get the picture…it is easily adaptable to any table….and I have to tell you I love my newest creation!

Perfect 4 the Porch Table

{Click HERE for a pdf document}

Supplies

*DecoArt, Texture Terra Cotta, Black (1 jar)

*Americana Acrylic Paint, Light Avocado {or color of choice} (2-3 bottles…depends on the size of the table)

*DecoArt Texture Stencil, Royal Tile

*Stiff brush or palette knife (for texture application)

*Foam brush, roller, or good paintbrush (for paint)

*Gorilla Glue

*Brite Kote aluminum screen

*Scissors

*Gloves {optional…the screen can hurt}

DIY it!

*Clean and sand the table

*Brush off/Clean to remove residue or dust.

*Paint the base and legs with the Americana acrylic paint.

*Let Dry.

*Coat top of table with DecoArt Texture TerraCota…cover top and sides of table top completely.

*Once dry, I cut my Texture Stencil apart and placed a particular portion of the motif in each corner.

*Use the Texture Terra Cotta to fill in the stencil.

*Let dry.

*Add screen skirt (optional, see below)

Screen “Skirt”

*Cut lengths of screen 5 “ wide and 1.5 times {or more if you prefer} the perimeter of the table.
NOTE on WIDTH: This is the width I used because I glued my screen to the back of the apron of the table…your width may be adjusted to suit your design and styling preferences (it can be a smaller skirt or a longer skirt}.

NOTE: You can use the end {selvage} of the screen for the “hem” or cut an extra 1 inch and fold over twice to make a clean – "non-pokey" hem.

*Prepare the skirt by accordion folding the screen {approximately 1” folds}.

*Using Gorilla Glue, spread a line or two along the edge you will be gluing. Place screen in position. I then put a few drops in the creases of the skirt and pushed it down onto the table for extra hold.

*The way my table was configured, I had to place some weighted object on the glued edge of the screen while the glue set.

*Repeat on all sides.

*Let dry.

Oh yeah...since the paint was out, I whipped up a vase to match...

I have big plans for finishing the porch...

and I dream of a wrap around porch {maybe one day}.

Until then, I will enjoy my hard work and

the little piece of serenity I have created.

{Of course, I think I will have a mojito to help with the serenity.}

What's your favorite thing about your porch?

I personally love the little sign in my window...

Can you read it? It says "Warning: Strange Dog"
LINKY FOR BLOG HOP OPENS AT 6PST/9EST ON 5/7/2010
Visit my other DIY Club Creation HERE.

Disclosure: As part of the DIY CLub and this vendor sponsored event, I received products to complete my DIY from DiscChangers, Gorilla Glue, and DecoArt.

Share a Spoon of Beans!

I am cooking up some Mexican food

with Think Tank Momma today

at her Share a Spoon party!

I am bringing the beans!

I am not sure I can write this without feeling 8 and giggling...

I love beans, always have.

My son just recently discovered them....

along with that he also discoverd that cute little rhyme..

"beans, beans, their good for your heart..."

I am pretty sure he did not hear it from me.

The little diddy is playing over and over in my mind!
Sorry, I know it is juvenile...
but I have had ZERO sleep,
pretty much anything will crack me up...
or crack me!
Anyway, I love this recipe...

super-duper easy and tastes awesome!

Black Beans with Lime

{click HERE for pdf file}

INGREDIENTS

2 Cans of black beans {or one large can} drained and rinsed

1 T olive oil

2-3 Green onions, white part only, thinly sliced

2-3 cloves of garlic minced, chopped, however you like it {more is OK}

Juice of one small lime

Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan, heat oil and saute the garlic and green onions.

Season with salt and pepper

Cook for about 3 minutes

Add beans and heat them up.

While doing so add the lime juice.

You may add water slowly and little by little if necessary as cooking {I usually add more lime juice, but that's me!}

Remove from heat and is you want garnish with the green part of the onion.

{My friend Molly introduced me to this recipe. It is adapted from Everyday Food, May 2007}

Who is coming to the party on Friday?????

Want more info...check it out right HERE!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Home is Flowers in My Yard

I can grow what I can grow, and usually stick with those items. I actually love gardening..at least the act of it...my outcome is not always successful...but I keep trying. I {heart} rosemary and lavender for many reasons, but it doesn't hurt that I don't seem to kill them. Once upon a time, in Southern California - land of sunshine - I somehow managed to grow a beautiful herb garden and bountiful roses, and all sort of other beauties {that I do not know the names of}.

Then we moved. Our "new" house had an abundant garden...but by the time escrow closed...many of the plants had died or were just about dead {long story}...I did my best to revive some of these plants...to no avail. And now I had a new type of climate to consider...land of fog and dampness. I was and still am pretty clueless...let's not even talk about the deer {I am a city girl...what the heck!}

Anyway, I have moved things around and planted {*cough, cough*} some of my own beauties, but some of my favorite blooms are plantings from the previous owner. I especially love the geraniums...they bloom year after year and there are many varieties planted on the property {that makes it sound like I do not live on a postage-stamp size lot in coastal California} that smell wonderful!

Here are some more lovely blooms in and around my home.

I adore these plants and look forward to their

blooms and their scents every year...

A welcome to Spring, and always a bright spot in my day!

And I cannot seem to kill them...yeah!

Actually the rule is I am not allowed to touch them.

What's your favorite flower in your garden?

Do you have a gardening trick I should know?

My plants will thank you!

PS - Looking for the Super Simple Secret Salsa {SSSSalsa}, click HERE!

I am linking up to:

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Easy Salsa Recipe: How to Steal A Secret Family Recipe

Want to learn how to steal a secret family recipe?

My parents were very good friends with a couple they had actually know since high school. The relationship was always hot/cold, on/off, talking/not talking - I remember the relationship being like this as far back as my memory goes.

Another thing I remember is that she made some mean Mexican food. I do not remember what anything was called or exactly what was in it, but I do remember it was fantastic...and this is coming from the girl who used to order hamburgers and french fries at Mexican restaurants.

To accompany her fabulous meals, she always had salsa - amazing salsa! We would ask her, or more specifically my mom would ask her if she could have the recipe. The answer was always "NO!!!!! It is a family secret." We figured there was a top-secret farm she visited to pick the ripest, yummiest tomatoes, or that her grandmother had passed down a special jar of herbs and spices. We created a mystery around this salsa.

For 2 years we tried to get the recipe...to no avail. One day, she asked if I would like to come over and help get ready for a BBQ they would be having later that day. I was about 10 at the time {old enough to be sneaky and understand what I was doing, but still look innocent}, and as my mom dropped me off at the house, she gave me very specific instructions..."If you make the salsa, you better remember every detail. This is our only chance."

We made the salsa...and the mystery is no more...their is no secret garden, no special bottle of herbs and spices passed down from generation to generation...but I do not care, it is still my favorite and might I add the super-simplest salsa I have ever made. When you see the ingredients, you will be surprised, and you just have to trust me on this, and try it for yourself.

Super Secret Simple Salsa {a.k.a. SSSSalsa}

2 14.5 oz. cans {or 1 large can) organic diced tomatoes {the original recipe calls for 1 can whole peeled tomatoes, but I tend to use these now}

1 4.5 oz can chopped olives

1 7 oz. can chopped green chilies

1-2 bunches green onions, chopped

1 tsp garlic powder {the original calls for garlic powder...I often use 4 cloves of fresh minced garlic instead}

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 T Olive Oil {optional}

Chop the green onions, mince the garlic, crack open all the cans and dump into a bowl...now here is the trick...you must use your {washed!} hands to mix and mash the ingredients together...that is apparently the secret.

Now, I am all about fresh these days...but this salsa is FAB! It does not taste like canned crap {I promise}. I use the right ingredients too....check your labels to make sure the ingredients on the back say the same thing as the label {and you can pronounce them all}.

The salsa is best made 12-24 hours before you need it so the flavors meld together. And apparently, according to my cousins, tastes even better if the prepared salsa is stored in an empty {clean} Skippy Peanut Butter jar. Seriously...when we have a family gathering they think my mom has gypped them if they do not see the Skippy Jar.

For years I have been trying to get my son to try this salsa.."nope, ick, I don't like it." {which is so not him}...until grandma showed up to visit with her Skippy jar...he tried it and came running in the house..."Mom, Grandma makes the best salsa...can you make it some time?" See the Skippy jar is magical.

So that is is the story of how I stole a secret family recipe.

Have you ever stole a secret family recipe?

Do you have your own secret family recipe?