504 Main by Holly Lefevre: August 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Tickled Pink 113

Welcome to Tickled Pink!

Guess what??? I changed my mind a little

(Tickled Pink may still disappear now and then as I finish my book)

To simplify a bit...

No more categories!

Just link on up!

School seems t be going along nicely. My kindergartener has made friends - like hold hands and walk around the playground friends with a very sweet little boy!

My Big Kid is enjoying the independence I have bestowed upon him...not quite sure this mam can handle it

AND

I am no longer looking for a house...because we are not moving yet.

We are now in job hunt mode.

More on this later.

I have some very cool giveaways coming up as I start a series of my favorite kitchen electronics.

And I am not a gadget-y girl...so if I love them, these are good!

I POSTED THIS ON FACEBOOK YESTERDAY

Can I pick your brains???
What are some of the worst social media offenses you have seen at parties, gatherings, graduations, and especially weddings? Did someone stand up with their ipad in the middle of the ceremony to snap a photo? Ever seen a guest playing games on their phone while a couple says "Ido"? I'd love to hear your stories...and maybe I will come up with a special giveaway for anyone who shares a story.
You can leave a comment here or on facebook

THANK YOU for continuing to visit and hang in there with me!

FEATURES!
Grab a featured button right HERE!


Gorgeous Bridal Flowers from What Meegan Makes

Aged Paper Mache Letters from Gallemore West

Carrot Fries from Pink Recipe Box

DIY Baking Soda Chalk Paint recipe from Dear Emmeline

Sweet and Sour Slow Cooker Chicken from Cupcakes and Crinoline

Mosiac Terra Cotta Pumpkin with Styrofoam from Crafts n' Coffee

Pantry Makeover from Freckled Face at Home

Zucchini burgers from Meremade

Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Lasagna from Little Kitchen, Big Bites

DIY Clay Chain Necklace from Henry Happened

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Here is a hint....going forward, those lovely bloggers with a link back or button for Tickled Pink/504 Main in the linked up post...
have a better chance of being featured!
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NOW FOR TICKLED PINK!

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}

Grab a button HERE!
or here!

PRACTICE PINK KINDNESS

Will everyone do me a FAVOR????

Please visit the person linked before you...

Pretty Please!

1. Link up...whatever makes your blog fabulous. Family Friendly please. Guess what? Your post does not have to be PINK!! I reserve the right to remove posts that are offensive or do not adhere to the rules, without any discussion, at my discretion.
2. PLEASE LINK TO A POST URL, ****NOT YOUR MAIN URL****
3. Pretty please...add the Tickled Pink button or TEXT link back to the post* {people need to know what the heck they are doing!}.
4. Please visit a couple other links!

TICKLED PINK DOES NOT HAVE Categories anymore!

I won't banish you if you mess up, but try to link appropriately, pretty please!

By linking up...you grant me permission to use a photo if you are featured. Proper credit will be given.

Link Up what ever made you or your blog FAB this week!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

DIY! Museum Style Fossil Art

HEY ALL! THIS IS A RE-POST...BECAUSE I HAVE A BOOK TO FINISH ASAP!
But it is one of my favorite projects ever!

I originally came up with this idea last year for my sons room.
I find it very hard to find sophisticated decor for boys,
especially growing boys, and it was time to update his room.

But quite honestly this art can go anywhere!
I even had one friend fooled...
she thought I bought this at a museum store!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend: Anjolee Review

I have never said no to jewelry...

well once...and I regret it!

Recently Anjolee.com approached me to review a piece of their jewelry...

and well, you don't need to ask me twice!

I was super excited to look at www.anjolee.com

and explore their beautiful selection.

One of the many things that is very cool about Anjolee website is that you can customize the jewelry to fit your needs, style, and even price.

First you select a design

Then you can select the type of metal,
the quality and size of the stone,
and presto you have a beautiful customized piece of jewelry.

"Anjolee is the only jewelry website that offers customers the ability to customize any jewelry designs to the customers’ exact preferences, taste and budget. Anjolee’s product line includes fine diamond and bridal jewelry. "

Wouldn't that be a cool gift to give someone or better yet receive yourself?

I checked out the Bangle Styles and was so tempted...
such pretty bracelets and of course let's not forget the diamonds!

Anjolee

I eventually headed over to check out the earrings.
I like big statement necklaces, but like to keep my earrings small and sparkly!
I fell in love with the Romanced by Diamonds Stud Earrings
and that is what I chose to review.

And...oh my goodness...I LOVE them.
I have been wearing them every day since I receive them and get so many compliments.
I love the little bit of sparkle they add to my eyes and face.

I also adore that tome anyway, they have a slightly vintage and classic flair,
kind of like my grandmother once owned them.

I actually am really attached to the jewelry I have,
especially since a few very nice pieces were lost in our of our moves
(still mourning that loss).
I am so happy to have had the opportunity with Anjolee.

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?

disclosure: this is a compensated post via Anjolee. All opinions are my own.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Retro and Rad Duct Tape Vest

OK, I admit it...I am late to the game on the Duct Tape craze.

Truly I thought, "How fun could this be?"

Well, my answer is too much fun!

My first creation was an envelope/dress up clutch for a birthday party...

It was a super fun way to wrap a giftcard!

Now I have moved on to some other projects. It was really hard to decide where to begin...my daughter was in Duct Tape Heaven looking in that big old box Scotch Duct Tape sent me.

I did a few projects, including a handbag and a coin purse.

(tutorial coming very soon!)

Scotch Duct Tape has a fun Style that Sticks Quiz over on their site.

A quick (like 30 second) quiz leads you to your

personal (Duct Tape) style and patterns and projects that fit that style!

Just for fun I headed over and took the quiz.

Just so ya know..."I put the glam in glamour" when I took the quiz.

If you take the quiz..you will not only get to see some cool projects, but can also enter to WIN a free combo pack of Scotch Duct Tape!

I am also working on a necklace and hopefully fingers crossed some cool party decor!

Yes, I am getting a little carried away...but this is just pure FUN!

I almost forgot...I am using the Scotch Duct Tape Scotch Duct Tape to jazz up composition books and binders - it is Duct Tape after all...

nice and strong...but now super stylish too!

Now...on to the vest!

I did not refer to any books, blogs, or websites (for projects) when working with the Duct Tape and coming up with my projects - there may be easier ways to do things...but this is what worked for me (and it was not hard).

SUPPLIES

Scotch Duct Tape 1 Roll of Scotch Duct Tape, Violet Purple*
Scotch Duct Tape 1 Roll of Scotch Duct Tape, Retro Tiles*
Hole Punch
Ribbon
Scissors or X-ACTO Knife
Cutting Board - I used a self healing board that has 1" guidelines.
Scotch Blue Tape, 1" (optional)
To make patter: Scrap paper, pencil, t-shirt
NOTE: *You will not use the entire roll, but a lot of it!

STEP #1: Make a pattern:

The easiest way to do this, if you do not own a vest already, is to use a (loose-fitting) t-shirt:

Fold it in half; line up the center/fold of the shirt with the edge of a piece of paper and trace off the neck, sides, and bottom. This gives you a basic shape of a garment. There is NO NEED for seam allowance.

From there you can design the necklace, hem, and draw the armholes in. You will need to add a 1" extension or overlap in the front if you want the vest to "close."
Keep in mind if you keep the side seams straight, it is super easy to tape together...I realized this after I curved my side seam (it was not that hard to tape it together but straight is super easy!).
For the back, use the same pattern shape, but make the neck higher and round (no need for a v-neck in the back!), the hem slightly shorter, and cut the back on the fold. You need to check your pattern - match up the front and back at the side seams, shoulder seams, etc. to make sure they match up.

STEP #2 - The "Fabric"

Now you need to make your "Duct Tape Fabric" - the size of each sheet will depend on the size of person you are making this for.
Working on my mat with the guidelines made it SO EASY to know how big my piece of "fabric" was and to keep everything lined up.
The main thing to remember about making sheets of duct tape is that one side is horizontal and the other vertical

I made my sheets by ripping strips of Duct Tape long in Purple Violet. Because I am a messy crafter, I lined up the strips of tape along the guidelines and then used Scotch Blue to tape down the ends (sticky side of the duct tape is UP!). I lined up my rows, secured them, and moved on to tearing strips of the Retro Tiles.

To complete the "fabric" tear a piece of Retro Tiles in the appropriate length. Line it up to you vertical guideline and place on top of the sticky side of the Purple Violet. Continue to tear strips of Retro Tiles and place side by side (the Purple is horizontal and now you are placing the Retro Tiles vertically to make the fabric). Once you get the first vertical strip down it goes quickly.

Once your "fabric" sheets are done, cut out the pattern. I fit the 2 fronts (cut two, one facing each way) on one sheet and folded the other sheet in half and cut the back from their. Now double check your shoulder and side seams.
Now it is time to tape it together...I used matching tape. Line up the side seams and using the matching tape, tape together (there is overlap on each side). Again I had curved side seams, so instead of y garment being flat, I rounded it over my thigh and taped it together. Repeat with the shoulder seams.

Turn "inside out" and repeat the side and shoulder seam connection with the matching tape.

TRIM the tape in the armholes, neck, etc. using an X-ACTO knife or scissors.
You can finish off the hem or front of the vest with more tape; press half of the tape down on one side of the pattern and fold over the other half, trim again if necessary.
For the tie, use a single hole punch and punch one hole in each front of the vest (line them up!). Then take a length of ribbon and knot it a few times on the back side of the vest. Repeat on other side.

Super fun, no?!

Scotch Duct Tape has over 10 colors, 16 patterns
and 10 combo packs of Scotch Colors and Patterns Duct Tape

Be sure to take the Style that Sticks Quiz
over on their site and enter for a chance to win!

Connect with Scotch Duct Tape!

Have you created anything with Duct Tape?

This post is a collaboration with Scotch Colors and Patterns Duct Tape, whose celebration of unique personal style led to this post. Get started to win some free samples.