Tickled Pink 45

Happy Friday!

First, I want to say thanks to everyone for the emails and sweet words about my dog Ranger...he is doing so well and can walk again...I am truly amazed. I really did not expect to see this recovery, but I know we are not out of the woods yet.

Thank yo for the support and for the wonderful emails about guest posting too!

I am tickled pink because I walked away form the computer many times this week to finish up projects and play with the kids...and today we were at the beach!!!!

Like pretty much all of us I have a few million things to do this weekend but am looking forward to it!

Another QUESTION for you???

Does it drive you nuts that my spotlights are not always ready
(please be gentle...I try!)

TICKLED PINK Now Has Categories
I won't banish you if you mess up, but try to link appropriately:

Craft, DIY, Decorate

crafting, diy, decor type links

Cook, Bake, Eat

stuff to eat, cook, drink, and bake

Read, Write, Share

posts you love, stories, favorite things, ideas to share

Now it is time 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!

That is what Tickled Pink is all about!

{and it does NOT have to be PINK}

Click right HERE to Grab a button!

This link jumped out at me because I am on a cleaning kick thanks to a super-fun (and clean) mom at my daughters school! I needed a kick in the pants to get moving and now I have it!

OCD wants to know How Often Do You Clean It? I thought this was a fun little reminder of the cleaning we forget about!

Below are SOME Cook, Bake, Eat from Tickled Pink 44

The others are coming

(you'd think 2 weeks would be enough time...not so  much! Sorry)

Now, Let's Visit the Kitchen!

Rosemary Chicken and Mascarpone Risotto from 5 Minutes Just for Me

I know St. Patrick's Day s over, but this fun treat from The Seven Year Cottage makes me happy anytime!

I cannot wait to try these coconut lime cookies from Cut the Craft

A meatless treat...corn and black bean salad from The Rhinestone Beagle

Potato Soup and Beer Bread from Smile Monsters

Yesterday on Tuesday puts a twist on Mac and cheese...just add curry!

Happy Weekend!

PRACTICE PINK KINDNESS

1. Link  up...whatever makes  your blog  fabulous. Family Friendly please. Guess what? Your post does not have to be PINK!! 

2. PLEASE LINK TO A POST URL, ****NOT YOUR MAIN URL****

3. Pretty please...add the Tickled Pink button to the post* {people need  to know what the heck they are doing!}. 
4. I reserve the right to remove posts that are offensive or do not adhere  to the rules, without any discussion, at my discretion.
5. Visit some people!

Craft, DIY, Decorate

Cook, Bake, Eat, Drink

Read, Write, Share

Guest Post! Knock Off Anthro Necklace with Simone from Dobermans-by-the-Sea

A Very BIG thank you to all you lovely ladies for emailing me regarding guest posts.I so appreciate it and am so excited to have you hang out over the coming weeks with all of us here.

To begin this series of guest posts with a bang, I have Simone from Dobermans-by-the Sea (along with Bella Luna of course!) sharing an anthropologie knock off necklace. It is so pretty! So, here she is!

Today I'm going to show you how to make an Anthropologie bib necklace knock off. I came across it looking for a statement necklace to dress up a plain t-shirt and jeans outfit. They used Italian lace, and I decided to give it a try since I have plenty of vintage Bavarian lace and crochet doilies and linens.

I had all the supplies on hand from previous projects. Here is what you will need:

• 24in chain with closure clasp
• 1 lace doily, medium size
• 3-5 small lace and crochet doilies
• 3-5 small buttons or pearls
• 3 rings to fasten doily to chain
• Fabri Tac or glue
• Scissors, pliers

Start by laying out the pattern on a table-you will want to visualize what your necklace is going to look like. Play around with different combinations until you find one you love. If you don't have small doilies you can cut circles from a larger one. Some of my buttons came from vintage pillowcases. Be creative!

Then it is time to assemble the necklace. Lay the chain out straight and hang the large doily over it. Depending on the size of your doily you can adjust how it looks and you might have to cut part of the back side off.

You can either glue the doily together or use little rings like I did to secure it to the chain. You will want to place on ring in the middle, one each on the outer corners and perhaps two more where you see fit.

Then start gluing the buttons and pearls onto the smaller doilies according to your vision, and then glue the smaller doilies onto the bib. I put a towel in between the top bib layer and the back bib layer, to prevent glue from leaking and sticking them together. I used Fabri Tac and you will want to use only small dabs and work fast. You can rub it right off the fabric and your hands should you the need arise. Let dry for 24 hours and Et Voila!

You are ready to go! I'm currently envisioning a high cut black dress with this necklace to wear to a formal event.

TIP-you will want to adjust the width of your large doily to what works best for your body type. A small frame will need a smaller necklace or it will overpower, and wider shoulders can get away with a larger bib. 

My name is Simone and together with my dog Bella Luna we blog over at Doberman's by the Sea. I would like to thank Holly for this great opportunity. Holly has been kind to me, she was one of the first bloggers I met when I started out. We would love to have you, so don't miss out on stopping over! If you make one of those necklaces, please share with us as well.

Cheers,

                             

************* 

Thank you Simone.

I truly appreciate you sharing this fabulous knock off with us!

Now everyone go say hi to Simone and Bella Luna!

GIVEAWAY! Vintage-Inspired Kids Blackboard Sign - CLOSED

*****CLOSED*****
WIN ME!!

Do you remember when Jenn from Rook No. 17 and I created the Vintage Kids Resolution Blackboards back in February (find Part I HERE, and Part 2 HERE)?  We both adored a sweet image from a 1923 paper doll collection from The Graphics Fairy, and came up with a fun way to bring this vintage blackboard to life.
I was sure hoping my kids would take it to heart too!

Jenn and I had so much fun creating the retro blackboards together,

that we decided to do it all again....

but this time, for YOU!

So, now is your chance...

in fact, you have TWO CHANCES.

Each of us is giving away a sign! 

Yes, TWO -- one at 504 Main, and on Rook No. 17.

The handmade blackboards measure 18" x 24"

and will be shipped to the winners,

at our expense, anywhere in the continental U.S.

Here's how to enter:

MANDATORY - *****CLOSED*****

1) Leave a nice comment on the giveaway posts at BOTH Rook No. 17 AND 504 Main. Be sure to mention that you "follow" both blogs.

You get one entry for following/commenting 504 Main HERE

You get one entry for following/commenting on Rook No. 17 at Rook No.17

(of course if you already follow, just say so!)

Again, this is MANDATORY!

Bonus Entry
2) "Like" 504 Main on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me so (and under what name). (One bonus entry)
"Like" Rook No. 17 on Facebook and leave Jenn a comment telling her so.

(of course if you already follow, just say so!)

Two winners will be drawn at random on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. PST.

*****CLOSED*****

I am Still Here, Rambling Away...and A Mocha Mitt WINNER!

Hello...is this on?

Just kidding.

FYI: There will be rambling in this post.

Yes, I sort of disappeared - just kind of necessary - my brain hurts. Just like everyone else out there, there is lots going on...and my kids are like 2 months from being out of school - I just had that revelation!

 And I have been playing and creating with a new machine

that I cannot wait to tell you about.

You are going to love it!!!! I do!!!!!

You may have noticed I never even posted the Tickled Pink link.

The spotlights and a new linky will be up this Friday...promise (I think)!

THANK you to everyone who contacted me about guest posting. If you emailed, by now you should have received a response back from me...if not, email me again, because maybe it was eaten by the spam (not the canned kind) monster. 

News Flash, Guest Posts, and a Possibly Delayed Tickled Pink

Hey people!

Don't forget there is still time to enter the Mocha Mitts and FREE coffee giveaway!

Just a couple of *quickie* notes (if you care!)

THANK YOU to

The Answer is Chocolate and Rook No. 17
for stepping in with some AWESOME guest posts this week!
I appreciate it!

I am also on the hunt for more guest posts
while I finish up this latest book...just email me!

First...

I have been very busy tending to my pooch and I want to thank everyone for their sweet comments and emails. I really appreciate it. He is doing so much better...I really, truly cannot believe it. I thought he had used up all of his lives - that dog is something else for sure! We are not out of the woods yet though.

Second...

It is Open House at school tonight...so I am otherwise occupied this evening.

Third...

It is raining like nobody's business here and super windy...and they don't let us cut down trees...they prefer to let them fall in the wind (I am only slightly kidding)...so that means I would probably bet you $20 that we will loose power at some point (the lights are already flickering)....

This all leads to the possibility that Tickled Pink may go up very late or even tomorrow - sorry - life (and mother nature) wins this week! I am just letting you all know because last time I was late, I had a lot of emails.

Oh yeah....

There is a FUN giveaway coming up next week Wednesday!!!!!! It does not involve an electronic cutter...it involves a project.

Oh yeah...

one more thing...

I will be showing you my new toy soon too...

it is awesome and you are going to to love it!

See ya later alligator!
(yes, I have lost my mind)

A Donut Extravaganza with Rook No. 17

Happy Wednesday. I am happy to report Ranger Danger is doing much better, but we are cautious. I am so lucky to have such great friends step up

and help me out at the last minute.

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

Today, My REAL LIFE (before blogging) FRIEND Jenn at Rook No. 17 is here.

She is a master with batter and glitter and

today she is sharing some donut goodness with us!

 *********************

I'm delighted to be guest posting here on 504 Main today.  Thanks Holly!

Like any good guest, I brought along something for the hostess...

DONUTS!

Two kinds, in fact!

And not just any donuts....

...Guilt Free Donuts!

I brought enough to share too!  Enjoy!

__________________________________________

EASY MINI BAKED DONUTS

"When you walk the streets you'll have no cares

If you walk the lines and not the squares

As you go through life make this your goal

Watch the donut, not the hole." -- Burl Ives

My youngest daughter loves to bake and try new recipes, so when I came across a mini donut pan, I knew it would be a perfect gift for her. Who am I kidding? It was a gift for me too. After all, I've been a donut fanatic for about as long as I can remember.  In third grade I got an "All About Me" book, and filled out each and every blank with the word, "donut".  And that little Burl Ives tune wasn't my favorite because of the deeper message found in the lyrics -- it was because it had the word "donut" in it.

 

We used the donut mix I bought with the pan, and the results were mighty tasty!  It didn't make many, however, and we were eager to make more to share with friends and family. So, I set about experimenting.  Happily, it took only two batches to get the measurements right  -- just in time for my daughter and Holly's to have a little lemonade and donut stand (dubbed "The Hole in One")!

This recipe is so easy -- so simple -- and so delicious!  The best part is that the donuts are baked, not fried, without compromising taste.  And, they bake up in only 5 minutes. 

Rook No. 17 Mini Baked Donut Recipe

(makes 3 dozen mini donuts)

4 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 cups whole milk
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 425

Step 1:  In a microwave or in a small pan on the stove top, melt butter and set aside.
Step 2:  In a medium bowl, add flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch.  Whisk to combine.
Step 3:  In the bowl of a standing mixer (or in a medium bowl, with a handheld mixer), mix milk and eggs until thoroughly combined.
Step 4:  Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir on medium speed to combine.
Step 5:  Add melted butter and vanilla and stir on medium speed to combine.

Step 6:  Spray mini donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Fill each well 1/2 way with batter.  To dispense the batter, I love to use a Wilton Easy Pour Funnel (you can pick these up in the cake decorating aisle of most craft stores for around $6).  It makes dispensing the batter so easy and precise!

Step 7:  Bake for 5 minutes.
Step 8:  Remove pan from oven.  Invert pan to release donuts.  Cool donuts on a wire rack.
Step 9:  Glaze and decorate.

Easy Chocolate Donut Glaze 
(adapted from Alton Brown)
(glazes approx. 36 mini donuts)

1/4 cup butter

2 Tablespoons whole milk
1 Tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 oz. chocolate chips
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Step 1:  In a small bowl, add butter, milk, vanilla and honey.  Microwave for 1 minute.

Step 2:  Add chocolate chips.  Whisk till chocolate is completely melted.
Step 3:  Stir in the sifted powdered sugar.
Step 4:  Microwave for an additional 20 seconds.
Step 5:  Dip the lighter colored side of each donut into the glaze, sprinkle with donuts, and set on a wire rack to set.

________________________________

AND FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO PLAY WITH THEIR FOOD: 
UPCYCLED SOCK DONUTS

One not so fun day at home doing chores, the girls and I were sorting through the box we keep by the washer and dryer for collecting all the odd socks.  The box had reached maximum capacity, and after sorting all the wayward socks into pairs, we were left with a handful of strays that would likely never see their mates again.  "What a shame," I thought, to have to toss away all these sweet little children's socks, as I absentmindedly rolled one in my hands. That's when my nine-year old daughter said, "Mama, that sock looks like a donut!"  

And that's how our sweet and simple little SOCK DONUT project was born. The girls and I spent the rest of the afternoon rolling the stray socks, cutting out felt "icing" and embellishing with bits and beads we found around the house. These plush donuts have gotten plenty of imagination time in our little play kitchen.  I've also enjoyed using one as a pin cushion while I sew!

These little plush donuts make a great gift for a child. They're a whimsical way to "preserve" some of those sweet little baby socks. Very little sewing is required (just sewing the beads to the felt), and the donuts take just a few minutes to make.  You can whip up a whole batch in less than an hour, and package them for gift-giving in a little pink bakery box.  

Here's how to make your own SOCK DONUTS:

Materials

Children's socks (clean)

Felt
Small beads
Needle & Thread
Glue Gun

Step 1:  Cut toe from sock.

Step 2:  Roll sock in on itself starting with the cut end.  

The end result should look like this:

Step 3:  Cut some "icing" from felt.

 

Step 4:  Embellish by sewing small beads (I like seed and bugle beads) to the felt with a coordinating thread.

Step 5:  With small dabs of hot glue, attach loose edge of the sock to the top of the "donut".  This will help make it more durable.

Step 6:  Using hot glue, attach the embellished felt "icing" to the top of the sock "donut."

Thanks Jenn! You are the best!