504 Main by Holly Lefevre

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!

I am trying really hard to get back with everyone

from Tickled Pink, and last week in general, etc.

{I totally sound like a broken record these days!}

Monday, May 17, 2010

VOTE and Giveaways!

Just a couple of quick things!

I just had to tell ya'll about these

super-fantabulous giveaways!

Check this Out!

My friend Kelli at Sustaining Creativity in a Busy Mom's World is having a giveaway and trygin to reach 100 followers. She makes the cutest aprons, write the best posts, and has created a fabulous giveaway.
HURRY though...it ends tonight 5/16! Go visit Kelli and ENTER.

ALSO...

Tutu Bug is having a giveaway of the tutu of you choice (size 0-6T) to celebrate her new website. Why am I telling your this...because Jules received one of her tutu's as a Christmas present and that tutu it tutu-cute!
Go visist Tutu Bug for detail and to enter.

AND DON'T FORGET DIY CLUB VOTING IS ON.

We will announce the Grand Prize Winner on Friday morning.

YOU GET TO DECIDE THE WINNER.

GO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVE OUT OF THE TOP TEN!

Go HERE to Vote!

*****COMMENTS ARE OFF****

Go visit these ladies!

Go vote!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

DIY Club! Voting is On!

THE DIY CLUB TOP 10 VOTING
the CONTEST is ON...
We all had a hard time choosing, just 2 each.
There were so many great entries.
Thank you for all your hard work.
It was really fun.
~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

Click HERE for the Tickled Pink Blog Hop
On another note, I have a H-U-G-E project happening at home...{which I will be blogging about, of course!} so I will be in and out of blog world.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Tickled Pink No. 6 with a Hop

This week I'm Tickled Pink adds a Blog Hop linky 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 rules...sorry, there are a few rules!}
AND
{since it is not all about me anymore}
gets a new name...simply, perfectly...
Tickled Pink!
{Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for the linky and and the NEW giveaway!}

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

I am still going to be tickling people and things pink!
{that sounds a little wrong}
And, this week, I bring you...
a seed to inspire

a how-to go-to

a poem to move you

and couple FUN things

{and a giveaway!}

*************************
a seed to inspire is

Liz at a a belle, a bean, & a chicago dog.

Liz is simply awesome

She tells great stories.

{and the recent one about a Holly is not about me}.

She cooks.

She talks about being a mom.

She is the inventor of the Chicago Dog award.

BUT what really inspired me is her garden.

I have been wanting to grow my own garden...really grow one, not my usual

"put the seeds in a whatever pot I find, water...forget to water...

wonder why there is nothing there - gardening."

Liz talks about her veggie garden and a book that inspires her family's approach to gardening {oh yeah...there might be a giveaway at the bottom for it...keep reading}. We get to hear about her raised beds {I really need some of those}, getting the garden ready and keeping the garden organic. She gives tips on planting and photos of her growing garden! She touches on more updates and even a few what not to-do's.

After watching Liz's garden grow, I went out and bought some seeds and plants and am preparing to make some raised beds... we will grow a garden of something here this year! Thanks for planting that seed of inspiration Liz!

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

The how-to go-to is

Caroline of Salsa Pie

I {heart} Salsa Pie. Every time I read it, I want to runaway and join Caroline and her family. Caroline has a special way of making magic in her home. Unique and fun ideas and kid friendly creations abound. To make it super duper easy for everyone to get to her how-to's,Caroline began a second blog...How to Salsa Pie ...full of tutorials and how-to's for all those fabulous ideas and projects. Check out the artwork in her home and then head over to How to Salsa Pie to see how they make cool stuff.

*************************
a poem to move you is
from Terra at Sitting on an Oak

I read this poem on my very first visit to Terra's and was moved.
It spoke to me. It sang to me. and I knew I had to share it.

Once I Knew

I knew a little girl once who dreamed in color -
Big bright rainbows and trees full of apples.
Ribbons and tassels blew in the wind behind her
and in front - the whole wide world.

I knew a young girl once who dreamed in gray-scale -
Stormy clouds and blue days of confusion.
Fear and distrust hovered behind her
and in front - the whole wide world.

I knew a young lady once who dreamed in a haze -
Blurry memories periwinkle dissolution.
Hesitant trust followed behind her
and in front - the whole wide world.

I knew a woman once who dreamed in color-
Big bright rainbows and trees full of apples.
Ribbons and tassels blew in the wind behind her
and in front - the whole wide world.

Is that not beautiful?

You will L-O-V-E Sitting on an Oak!

*************************
Here are a couple of FUN things that are TICKLING ME PINK!

Have you ever heard of the Castroville Artichoke Festival?
You guessed it...all about artichokes. So, on the website they have some super recipes, BUT the one recipe they are missing...is the recipe for Artichoke Cupcakes... stay with me...These cupcakes ROCK! I had them when I first moved up here and have been looking for the recipe ever since. They are not quite carrot cake tasting, not quite zucchini breadish. I WANT THAT RECIPE...OR ONE CLOSE TO IT! That is my plea! They tickle me pink and the festival is this weekend!
*************************
Did you see these?

YES! Lily Pulitzer Animal Crackers!
You can read all about it HERE!
I scooped up every box I could find...all for a good cause
-supports tiger conservation in Sumatra through the World Wildlife Fund.

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

Oh, you wanted another giveaway!? OK!

This is the book Liz refers to and I think it would be a great addition for anyone who wants to start a garden!

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 a belle, a bean and a chicago dog!

--Entry Three:

Go give some comment love at Salsa Pie!

--Entry Four:

Go give some comment love at Sitting On an Oak!

--Entry Five:

Put the Blog Hop on your blog {you can just add the code to the bottom of your post}

--Entry Six:

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

Contest closes Thursday, 5/20/10 at 11:59 p.m. EST

The winner will be announced on Friday 5/21/10.

*************************
!!!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

*It does NOT have to be a new post*
*It does NOT have to be pink or pink-related*
*Pretty please...add the Tickled Pink button to the post*
*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!}

What more info on I'm 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.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

DIY Club! Final Call for Entries!

The time has come...

it is last call for the DIY Club Monthly contest for May.

You have until 11:50 p.m. EST on 5/13/10

{that's tonight people!}

Click HERE for more details and to join the blog hop.

Come back tomorrow for Tickled Pink and join the fun!

***Comments are off***

You can visit the last post, Home is or

shoot me an email if you have a question.

{holly504main@yahoo.com}

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Home is A Mother's Day Memory

We never did big fancy celebrations for my mom...

I never expected big fancy celebrations for me either.
In fact I prefer to keep it simple.
This year...I was H-A-P-P-Y to get to sleep in...
until noon...thank you very much!
The rest of my day included being awoken by a 2 year old
jumping on my head asking for a gumball,
an 8 year old asking to do something electronic
or take hm to Target to buy more Legos,
weed whacking the backyard, picking up dog poop,
and creating something with leftovers for dinner.

Talk about the life!...I am not really complaining...

It just shows my life as a Mom.

In between all of that whoo-ha, this year,
like the last four years, we went strawberry picking.
Four years ago we were invited to tag along with
some friends while they did this, their annual Mother's day tradition.
We head out to the farm, pick way too many strawberries,
and then head over to the farmhouse for pie!
This is a wonderful way to spend a very
simple and sweet Mothers Day! My kids love it, I love it...
and secretly, I think hubby even likes it.
And we went a little crazy this year...20 pounds of strawberries....

Some I will preserve, many we will eat as they are,
and of course I will make Strawberry Bread.
Sandy has the best recipe for Strawberry Bread.
Seriously the BEST!

Strawberry Bread
(Click HERE for pdf)

(This version is adapted from Sandy's recipe at the Reluctant Entertainer...click HERE for the original version)*

3 cups brown rice flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups sugar

2 1/2 cups sliced strawberries

4 eggs, beaten

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

Mix it all up – by hand.

Add the berries at the last.

Butter the pans and sprinkle with a cinnamon sugar mixture

Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes in small loaf pans, or around 60 minutes in 2 large loaf pans.

Remember each oven is different, so make sure and UNDER-SET your timer, so you don’t over bake the bread!

*NOTE: I have experimented with the recipe to cut out the white sugar, oil, etc. by using coconut oil, brown rice sugar, molasses - not such great results - don't mess with perfection! This last time I swapped the all-purpose flour for brown rice flour and the cooking oil for unsweetened applesauce... this way hubby can eat it too...YUMMY! Rave reviews...it's all gone!

Doesn't this photo scream togetherness?!

It's the best we could do. It was freezing cold....

poor strawberries...poor us!

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

One last thing...
I'm Tickled Pink is officially a linky. {yikes!}

I'm Tickled Pink posts will continue as they have
- with my picks for the week -
but 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 superfantabulous idea*

*a short story*
*a poem*
*A fashion find*
*a favorite product*

*your favorite post*

***anything that you thinks makes your blog fabulous***

I like rules...

but I am going to try and not go crazy with them....

*It does NOT have to be a new post*
*It does NOT have to be pink or pink-related*
*Pretty please...add the I'm Tickled Pink button to the post*
*Leave a comment on the I'm Tickled Pink post*
*Visit 3 people from the link*
*It would be great if you were a follower or subscriber {*wink*}

The linky goes up late (11:00 pm PST) Thursday, 5/13/10, with the post!

Show me watch you got!

And come see what I have to show you!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

A Little Winner. A Little Tickle Me Pink. A Little TTA.

I have to tell ya'll that I think I jinxed myself!

Yes, I am slightly superstitious.

Ever since I wrote Blogiquette, I have been behind...

but I am getting there!

So there has been fun and craziness here...

and guess what I forgot to do...

announce the winner of these beauties from Arco Iris!

Kelli from Random Thoughts of a SUPERMOM
{Email me with your mailing address}

So..I need an opinion...
would anyone be interested in making I'm Tickled Pink a linky?
It doesn't have to be crafty...
it could e a hot tip, a piece of creative writing,
a great idea, a great recipe, a fashionable eye candy...
whatever makes your blog fabulous!
ACTUALLY, you could link any FAB post,
as long as you add my little pink button to it.
{and it is not X-rated or SPAM related}
Help me out ladies and gentleman...I want to know your thoughts!

And then there is this super cool party!
Check out my plate wall art or porch table.
And check out the blog hop to be inspired.

Thee is still time to join!
Click on that linkup there!
Have you seen the prizes -
they rock!

And if you are swinging by from Twee Poppets...

WELCOME! Browse around and leave me comment..I will be by to visit.

DON'T FORGET...

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT A LINKY...

COME ON I AM COUNTING ON YOU.

Monday, May 10, 2010

DIY Day! Just Hangin' Around

After preparing my projects for the DIY Club last week,

I got all caught up in crackle and plates!

In fact, I may have went a little crazy.

{hope my hubby likes crackle}

After I finished making the You Crackle Me Up plate decor for
the DIY CLUB,
{if you are a DIYer, crafty person and have no idea
what I am talking about click on that link...
there is still time to join in.}

I had a few extra plates left that were already painted...

Then, out of the corner of my eye I saw yet another

soon-to-be tackled item {from the Goodwill} sitting there.

AH-HA! Light bulb!

It was a framed L with a love poem

{I bought if for the L and the frame}.

With the frame, my plates, some Decoart texture and glazes,

and Gorilla Glue, I went to work.

Supplies

DecoArt Primer/Sealer

DecoArt Texture Crackle, Yellow Ochre
DecoArt Texture Terra Cotta, Black

DecoArt Texture Stencil, Royal Tile
DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint, black
DecoArt Elegant Finishes, Medieval Gold

Gorilla Glue
*Large frame - the size depends on the size of plates you use. I happened to use larger plates, but you could easily do this project with smaller plates and frames.
* 1 yard {+/-} Ribbon or DISChangers {in corresponding sizes} I only used ribbon because I had already used all of the Dischangers I had on hand.

*Large stiff paintbrush (or palette knife)

*1 or 2 Smaller stiff paintbrush (one with fine tip, one with 1/4" wide bristles)

*1 - 12" plate

*1- 8" or 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!
CLICK HERE for PDF version and full tutorial.

Check out the DIY Club HERE!

You can enter projects until Thursday at midnight.

You MUST use 1 of the 3 vendor sponsored products.

Visit my other DIY Club Creations

Perfect 4 the Porch Table
You Crackle Me Up

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Thanks Mom!

I promised myself I was not

going to do a Mother's Day post...

I have no will power.

I was not a bad kid.

In fact I was a good kid.

I was forced to be.

I let my brother be the troublemaker.

But since I have grown and had my own kids,

I have apologized to my mom over and over...

for the stupid things...

*For throwing a fit because the new Barbie outfit was not the new Barbie outfit I wanted.

*For slamming my brothers head in the car door...as we fought for shotgun. She only wanted to take us to the beach.

*For sneaking into Poltergeist and then not sleeping for the next 2 {or 3} years because of the tree outside my window. {Oh, don't you worry...I am getting paid back for that one!}

*For daring my brother to play Spiderman and jump from the bench in the dugout to see if he could grab the chain link fence...and the hours in the ER that ensued.

*For dating a man as old as she and my dad were {Oh yeah...they L-O-V-E-D that!}

*For still complaining about the cellphone they gave me on my 21st b'day. They thought it was the perfect gift {back then few people had cellphones, and I believe it cost about $100/month for 20 minutes of calls}. I called it "the gift that kept on giving" {me a bill}.

I have also thanked my mom...
*For being home with us.

*For always being at my performances, sporting events, and activities.

*For always volunteering at school, girl scouts...anything!

*For stuffing 8 of my friends into a car {A VW bug} to take and pick us up for a football game {that was sort of legal then}.

*For letting us have squirt gun fights in the house.

*For letting us play hall hockey.

*For letting us decorate our rooms the way we wanted to {Better Homes was not knocking on my bedroom door.}
*For being fun!

But mostly, I thank my mom...

*For being kind.

*For being patient.

*For supporting all my endeavors {other than piano lessons}.
*For indulging my whims and ideas.

*For always giving her all and being the best mom she knew how to be.

*For teaching me and reassuring me as I mother my own two little people.

I never expected or fully fancied being a mother myself,

but when it happened it was and still is
the most amazing thing on the planet.

I really had no idea how profound and

how life altering this experience could be.

I have given birth twice

{that design room is now closed}

and am blessed and mystified and enthralled

by these little people.

I am also blessed, mystified, and enthralled

by all those mothers who do the same

for their children no matter what their age.

Happy Mother's Day!

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.}