DIY! My Fave Egg Project

I am back from Creative Estates and hit the ground running...

my baby girl had minor surgery on her mouth Monday am. She is fine but that takes a lot out of a mom - I was all good until they wheeled her away! Now I am exhausted from information and emotions. I just want to sleep...and will, so my fancy "new" posts will come later. I have a couple of additional letterpress projects that I love!

(You have entered the Letterpress giveaway, right?)

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I also just want to say thank you to Fancy Little Things they shared my Easter Treasure Hunt! Have you been over there?... If not go visit...great projects, and advice and info in all categories.

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Also,
The winners of the vintage blackboard and bareminerals Firming Eye Treatment can be found on this post.

Now for my blast from the past Easter post

 

{pretend that one egg is right side up}

I have always wanted to blow out an egg {...is there a better term?} and decorate the shells...but I was a chicken {Ha, Ha!}. I figured I would break them...it would be messy...too much work. Well, a few weeks ago for my tablescape I tried it...and boy oh boy I was so very wrong. This was easy-peasy {and I am even a messy crafter}.

Part I...Blow Them Out
I am sure you can find more intricate details and instructions out there on the Internet...somewhere, but I am all about easy. Here are my steps...and since I am all about using what I got...I used a very clean nail {sterilized it} and blew my eggs out over a bowl...and then made quiche for dinner.

Directions

-Poked a whole with a (clean) nail in each end of the egg.
-One side had a larger hole, the other a smaller
-Put a skewer in one end and sort of mashed up the yolk...then blow from the side with the smaller hole {over the sink or a bowl}.
-It was not hard to blow them at all...just make sure their are holes in each side and the holes are big enough - start small and make them bigger if necessary.
-I have also heard you can use those suctioners you get for little kiddos to suck their noses out. Or you can actually buy a egg blowing tool.

{see the holes on top...the bottom ones are slightly bigger}

Part II...To Dye For
I put two scoops of instant coffee in a large bowl and boiled about 4 cups of water. I made my coffee dye and then put my eggs in...since their is nothing in them, they float so you have to turn them...I tried putting a medium size bowl on top to weigh them down...it sort of worked. I kept mine in for a few hours.

{The plain coffee-dyed eggs}

Part III...Since I am Not a Chicken Anymore...Labeled Eggs

Well, I loved my pretty little caffeine infused beauties, but it was time for a makeover. Off to visit The Graphics Fairy for some tres {pretend there is an accent over the "e"} chic vintage labels. And the craft store because I just had to try Sparkle Mod Podge!

Supplies

-Blown and dyed {and dry!} eggs

-Mod Podge Matte Finish {or your preference}

-Mod Podge Sparkle
-Paint brush
-Scissors or Exacto knife

-Labels from The Graphics Fairy {or clip art, letter, etc.}
-I also used skewers and a round Styrofoam disc to hold them while I was painting them and they were drying
-Patience {I always have to remind myself of this}

-Ribbons, buttons, bead - optional for adornment {I didn't do this...but I want to!}

Directions

-Cut out labels
-Apply a layer of Mod Podge all over the egg {This makes the eggs more durable too}
-Let dry slightly
-Apply Mod Podge to back of label
-Affix label to egg, while smoothing paper down onto egg
-Coat with a lyer of Mod Podge, let dry for 20 minutes or so.
{I applied another layer of Mod Podge, specifically over the label area - don't tell, I use my finger so I could really smooth out the paper...did I mention I am a messy crafter?}
-Let dry
-I wanted a little sparkle...but not too much...so I used Mod Podge Sparkle

{I am in L-O-V-E}...just a hint of glimmer and sparkle..perfection!

Have you ever tried to blow out an egg? Had any success?

Have you had help from a 2 year old...see below!

(You have entered the Letterpress giveaway, right?)

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Winners!

Just a quick note...to announce some winners!

First...THANK YOU all for entering and visiting and reading. I really do appreciate it and I am trying to get by to visit everyone who has stopped in - Creative estates was a whirlwind of a weekend with little downtime, so all that blogging I thought I would be doing, did not happen!

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The Vintage Chalkboard giveaway with Rook No 17

The 2 winners are:

Tammy at she wears flowers

and

cheeksb

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Now, for the bareMinerals Firming Eye Treatment,

I also have two winners of that amazing product:

Suzie Button

and

Ruth at Farmgirl in My Heart

Please email me at holly504main(at)yahoo(dot)com

with the following info ASAP:

* First & Last Name

* Email

* Phone Number

* Mailing Address (Street, City, State, Zip Code)

 
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These winners were all selected via random.org

after having met the qualifications and criteria!

Be sure to enter the Lifestyle Crafts Letterpresss giveaway 

happening through Thursday 4/14!

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Blood Orange Arancello (FudgeRipple Guest Post)

From the moment I "met" Christy from Fudge Ripple,
I have been in awe. I have tried her recipes and each and every one is beyond belief.
This lady can whip up everything from dessert to main dishes to beverages!

This is a week of celebration for me, so I am sharing a little cocktail I hope to be
drinking on my birthday!

Now here's Fudge Ripple!

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EPIC GIVEAWAY! Lifestyle Crafts Epic Six Letterpress Combo Kit - CLOSED

*****GIVEAWAY CLOSED*****
Letterpress makes me swoon!

Letterpress is made my pressing the words or images into the paper along with the ink. Letterpress is elegant and gorgeous and chic and well, all around awesome. Coming from the wedding industry, I saw the beauty of letterpress for years in invitations and other paperie...and now you can make your own letterpress designs for invitations, scrapbooking, party supplies/accessories, stationery...

and well pretty much anything you can dream of with

the Lifestyle Crafts Epic Letterpress.

It can Letterpress, die cut, and emboss!

Wooo-whooo!

I actually saw the Epic Letterpress at the Craft and Hobby Association Show back in January and was giddy...so you can imagine the squeal heard at my house when I found out I was going to be receiving one to "play" with! I love new tools and toys for crafting.

I received this machine a few weeks ago and Rook No. 17 and I experimented with it for awhile - although I think we had sugar overload from the ice cream social we had attended earlier and it greatly affected our ability to craft! The first time with the machine was a learning curve - figuring out how much ink to use, how to apply the adhesive to the plate, and well, just basically getting acquainted with all it can do. We had a few fails that night...here is one or two (just so you know)

FAIL! Too much ink and not placed correctly

The next go though, I had the hang of it!

BUT I continued to use the machine and the next time I went at it...no problem. I took my time, had gotten the hang of the ink and inking the plates and I was very impressed with the experience and results. I have so many ideas on what to create with this machine.

The process is simple:

1. Place the guide and paper

2. Position the printing plate

3. Ink the Printing Plate

4. Run the prepped letterpress platform through the machine

 Voila!

And guess what...The Epic Six also is a die cutter....LOVE! I also experimented with die-cutting (can you believe I did not have a die cutter). I was sent the treat bag, party flag inserts, and the nesting circles come with the machine.
More fun than should be legal, I tell ya!

What was my biggest problem?...Patience...I did not let the ink dry thoroughly on a few of the pieces because I was too excited to put the project together, so I had some smudges - my fault not the Epic's! That darn thing called patience has eluded me again!

This is the treat bag and a Party Flag Insert and some embellishment on pretty paper.

This is the treat bag die cut in two different papers so there is a liner inside (the black)

(my paper was one-sided but with two sided paper you only need to cut one).

I also cut one of the Party Flag Insert Dies and then used the letterpress to make the design.

I have some more projects to show you. In fact, I am declaring next week party week (someone may be having a birthday next week and wants some pretty stuff for it!)
and I have some fun ideas for easy peasy and fabulous party accessories.

That photo at the top with the "W" and violet ink is a peek at one of my creations.

NOW

Lifestyle Crafts is giving me the opportunity to give one FABULOUS Epic Combo Kit away to loyal 504 Main readers. I am beyond excited to be able to bring this opportunity your way!

This kit includes: 

Epic tool

Cutting platform

Cutting mat

Embossing platform

Letterpress platform

Ink base

Ink brayer

Black ink

Printing plates

Paper placement guides

A2 paper pack

Adhesive sheets

Nesting Circles cutting dies

If you already own one of these amazing machines

or want to start stocking up on product,

Use the code "504MAINBLOG" at checkout - for 20% off their entire purchase on lifestylecrafts.com.  Valid through April 19.

How to Enter:
*Following 504 Main via GFC is NOT a requirement, but since you are here...take a peek and think about staying for awhile! 

*Winner must have a U.S. mailing address

*A valid email address must be connected to your profile or left with your comment.

*Entries must be made by Thursday 4/14/2011 at 10:00 pm PST

*WINNER will be Announced, Friday 4/15/2011 

1 - MANDATORY: Visit the Lifestyle Craft website and come back and leave comment on this post telling me what is your favorite letterpress accessory.

2 - For an additional entry, Facebook about the giveaway - be sure to use @504main and @lifestylecrafts so we know. (Not required but, just because..."Like" the Lifestyle Craft Facebook Page- they share great ideas and deals...you can Like 504 Main too.)

3 - BLOG about the giveaway  - be sure to include a direct link to THIS post.

4 - Tweet the giveaway: Just an example - tweet what you want, but be sure to tag @504main and @lifestylecrafts: "There's an Epic Letterpress giveaway from @504Main and @lifestylecrafts happening NOW. http://tiny.cc/5hv7h"

Disclosure: I was provided with one epic six combo kit to craft on and for review. No other compensation was received. The opinions are my own based on my personal experience.

*****GIVEAWAY CLOSED***** 

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A BUNCH of Stuff

Hey all!
Here is some scoop on what is happening round here and blog land

I have a BIG giveaway starting tomorrow -
it has to do with my new toy I keep telling you about...stay tuned!

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I leave tomorrow for Creative estates...and I am roomies with Flamingo Toes - how fun is that going to be!? I am however the worst traveler in the universe, so I am not looking forward to the plane or to the packing and missing my kiddos.
Other than that it is all good (I think)!
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Don;t forget to enter the bareMinerals Firming Eye Treatment Giveaway - open until noon PST on Sunday 4/10/11

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No Tickled Pink this week...
I will be busy and just arriving home...and my little girlie has minor surgery on Monday, so I will be otherwise occupied taking care of her.

Now for some FUN stuff:

The DIY Club April Project Party is happening right now through 4/21

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On 4/16, the DIY Club is having a P-A-R-T-Y

I am having a WHITE party as part of it.
Get ready to linkup white decor, white jewelry, white sewing projects,
even white cooking and baking!
If it is white (or a shade of it), it can be art of the party!
Check out the full anniversary post!

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At Rook No. 17 there is a wonderful link up of favorite children's books

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There's a Bloggy Book Club over at Measured by the Heart. The April selection is

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

by Jamie Ford

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GIVEAWAY! bareMinerals Skincare Firming Eye Treatment - UPDATED ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS 4/5/11

****GIVEAWAY CLOSED****

So, here is the scoop...I just realized that not everyone has a Facebook account. Woo-whoo for people who are not connected to the computer all the time like me. So, I have UPDATED ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS on 4/5/11...see "How to Enter" below. If you have already entered you are fine and your entries will be counted as such. Sorry for my oops!

Do you remember about one month ago I told you about the launch of bareMinerals Skincare line...well, about two weeks ago I received their Firming Eye Treatment in the mail.

I was - am - giddy.

In case I have not ever told you, I love makeup and skincare

about as much as I love crafting.

As I get older (that was hard to write), I am looking for that skincare line that I can use and be confident with...I think this may be it.

Even before receiving the Firming Eye Treatment, I went down and purchased some of their Purifying Facial Cleanser. This cleanser is amazing...it makes my skin soft and smooth and clean...and I was have some blemish issues (that age thing again) and so far nothing!

But what I really want to tell yo about is the Firming Eye Treatments because I have TWO of these to giveaway!...Yes...TWO!

When I look for makeup and skin care I look for effective treatments and I also need simple. 27 steps to wash and moisturize my face does not fit into my schedule.

The Firming Eye Treatment comes in a a perfectly sized tube (I seem to be doing a lot of traveling these days - so that is great) tube. I have been using it morning and night and can really see the difference in my eye area - the entire area definitely has had some improvement. I wish I would have taken photos...but I was so psyched to try it I just jumped right in.

The Treatment goes on smoothly and feel light...but it so effective. And yo know I never sleep, so I definitely need a good eye treatment. I do believe this is a winner!

bareMinerals Skincare

"A transformative new way of caring for your skin that’s simple, super-effective and incredibly easy to use. Powered by 100% pure RareMinerals Active Soil Complex, enjoy increased cell turnover, fewer fine lines and wrinkles and the famous bareMinerals Naturally Luminous glow. If that’s something you’re looking for, then this might be the revolution for you."

bareMinerals Skincare line also includes:

*Cleansers include a purifying facial cleanser, deep cleansing foam, and exfoliating treatment cleanser

*Moisturizer to hydrate and improve firmness, texture, and radiance

*Treatments that include firming eye treatment, blemish therapy, and pure transformation night cream.

NOW...HERE IS HOW YOU CAN WIN!
****GIVEAWAY CLOSED**** 

Thanks to bareMinerals, I am giving away 2 - TWO - Firming Eye Treatments.

ALL ENTRIES MUST!

** - Must have a US Mailing Address - **
** - Leave a comment for EACH entry - **
** - Be SURE your EMAIL address is linked to your profile or leave it in the comment - **

Giveaway closes at 12 pm (NOON) PST on Sunday, 4/10/11

TWO Winners will be announced on Sunday 04/10/11. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the post and send me their required information.

1 - MANDATORY: Follow 504 Main (if you already do, just say so) on GFC
2 - Like Bare Escentuals on Facebook  (if you already do, just say so)

3 - Like 504 Main on Facebook (if you already do, just say so)
4 - Tweet the giveaway: Win bareMinerals Firming Eye Treatment from @504 Main #bMskincare http://tiny.cc/xmsc7

5 - Go Vote for Your favorite craft blogs on Babble (hint, hint, 504 Main should be one of them)
6 - Subscribe via Feedburner or email  (those pink icons up at the top of the page)

Want to see the series of rethink - I will be reposting some of them soon anyway - click right to read the last rethink post which has links to all others.

Disclosure: I have received no monetary compensation for this post. These are my honest opinions. I receive a sample of the eye firming eye treatment and 2 additional products for a giveaway.
****GIVEAWAY CLOSED****  

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It's an Anniversary Celebration!

The past year with The DIY Club has been fun, creative, and crazy all at the same time. As one of the original founding members, aka Official DIY Gals, I can tell you that there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into The DIY Club. It is an honor and a privilege to work with my fellow DIY Gals, collaborate with talented DIY Club Resident and Dare Bloggers, and be inspired by all of the amazing DIY Club Members who link up every month at The DIY Club Project Party Monthly Contest.

With this special of a celebration, 1 party is NOT enough! We have 4 fun and creative linky parties lined up so that everyone can get linked up to one or more. I truly hope you can join us at all 4 parties from April 16-30...

 The party at 504 Main is going to be all about white! I love color, but white is fresh and summery and I am injecting more white into my casa right now! But, hold on...it does NOT have to be only decor...jewelry, sewing projects, cupcakes - you name it...if it is white - or a shade of white (yes, I count light gray and ivory and even light taupes) as white for my party (I am easy!).

Grab my WHITE button at the bottom of the post!

• Delightfully Decoupaged: Link up your decoupage projects with Cheri@It's So Very Cheri
• Earthy Essentials: Link up your burlap, canvas, linen, and twine projects with Roeshel@The DIY Showoff
• Chalk Talk: Link up your chalkboard projects with...Amy at WhisperWood Cottage

One lucky WHITE Party participant will win

some WHITE hot supplies from DecoArt

and maybe a surprise from me!

Get your decoupage, white, earthy, and chalkboard projects ready and we'll see you at all 4 parties starting April 16!

So, will you celebrate with us?

RSVP by leaving a comment below or on THE DIY CLUB event Facebook page.

You can alss RSVP on the WHITE Party Facebook page.

Would love it if all of you would include the button on your sidebar as well!

Please invite your friends on FB and Twitter. It is a party, after all! The more the merrier!!

Let's Party!

<a href="http://www.504main.com"><img alt="504 Main" src="<a href="http://s883.photobucket.com/albums/ac35/Holly7081/?action=view&current=white-party.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac35/Holly7081/white-party.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

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