Coffee Table Re-Fashion Goes to Paris

One of the things I have done pretty little of here is
redo/revamp/refashion furniture!
I enjoy doing it...and I do it now and then in my real life,
but do not always blog about it.
I surely do not consider myself an expert in this field...
but I do love a challenge!

Recently I was asked to participate in the Wayfair DIY Blogger Challenge.
So, of course, I accepted!
Basically I was allowed to select a piece of furniture from
the Wayfair website and given a gift card 
for supplies and asked to see where my imagination would lead me. 

Well, that was the problem...my imagination led me all over the place! 

I ended up selecting this coffee table to refashion...

...and had about 100+ ideas for it...
including a kids art desk, an art cart, a rolling game/puzzle table.
I kind of overwhelmed myself.

I went out and bought wood, casters, spray paint, handles, and other supplies...
and then I changed my mind!
I was making this way too complicated 
(I am really good at that)
and...

I started to paint the table top and did not like it...
so I scratched that idea.

Do you see why????

 See...not pretty, right?
The weather had been OK...until it was time to spray paint
and then got cold and wet...so that did not help!

Then I remembered that I had a great place for this table in the guest room
(which I am continually refashioning too)...and I kind of wanted to create a girly Parisian vignette  that included my favorite old books, my French Labeled Eggs, my cameo art and other fabulous goodies!

I pulled out some DecoArt Metallic Finish in Silver and Mod Podge,
and went to creating!

SUPPLIES

Piece of furniture (from Wayfair)

Mod Podge Matte

 Paint Brush or foam brush (for Mod Podge)

Foam Brush for Metallic Finish

 Paper Towels or a rag

 DecoArt Elegant Finishes Metallic Paint, Silver

2 sheets, Decorative paper (I got mine at Aaron Brothers) 

Krylon Clear Polyurethane Spray

Upholstery tacks/Upholstery Nails

Small hammer

MAKE IT!

First...assemble you piece of furniture, following all of the directions.
This piece only took me 30 minutes to put together.

It just took a few screws, some dowels and a dusting off

and the table was ready for its transformation.

 

Since I thought I was spray painting, I had sanded the entire piece.

It does help the paint adhere.

I started by applying the metallic paint only along the edges of the piece

and then realized I like the look of it all over.
(Good thing because I had already sanded my piece!)

I did continue using a heavier coat on the edges, because I liked the effect.

Using a paper towel (rag) and a foam brush, I applied the Elegant Finish all over the piece, working in smaller sections at a time. 

I gently wiped off the finish as I went,
often touching up the corners and crevices with the foam brush.

Let the finish dry.

Once dry, spray the entire piece with Krylon Clear Polyurethane and let it dry. 

Layout the paper on the table top to ensure placement and coverage.

Apply one liberal coat of Mod Podge on the entire table top.

Place the paper and smooth with your hands

(or sometimes I like to use a 3" plastic putty knife/scraper).

Once smoothed and placed correctly,
apply another 1-2 coats of Mod Podge on the top of the paper.
My paper was not the size of the table top, I tore another piece and placed them overlapping.

Let dry slightly between coats. Continue to smooth as needed.
I did NOT finish my edges in a clean cut I tore the edges
and folded them over to create an old feeling detail.
(see photo below) 
Let dry.  

Apply upholstery tacks around the edge of the table using a hammer.

You can also use any other sort of trim you prefer. 

I just placed the tacks about every 1.5" and pounded them in...
EASY and inexpensive for a great detail.

So, that is my little transformation!

A larger view...

A close up of the shelves

Now I need to make that art cart!  

  Head over and check out the other projects
on the Wayfair DIY Challenge Pinterest Board!

 

 

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

disclosure: I was provided a piece of furniture by Wayfair and a gift card by GiftCards.com to participate in this challenge.

Vegetarian Chili Keeps the Tummy Warm and Happy

We have a Halloween tradition here.
It involves friends and chili!
We all gather at my house eat chili and cornbread (of course)
and then head out to trick or treat! 
I have posted this recipe before, but I love it and it is chili season,
so you get it again!

A Magical Disney Princess Halloween Tea Party

I L-O-V-E to plan parties and weddings.
Seriously, just about any reason, any occasion will do!

I love the magic and happiness that can be created
through some well thought out plans, a few perfect decorations...
and of course great guests!

Tickled Pink No. 120

Welcome to Tickled Pink!

Hi all!

How was your week?
I cannot wait to see what you have to link up!
 I KNOW I OWE A LOT OF YOU EMAILS/VISITS/COMMENT.
I WILL CATCH UP...REALLY...EVENTUALLY!

It was crazy as usual here.

We had a Disney Princess Halloween Party on Wednesday

(so much enchanting goodness!)

and on Thursday...well,
I held my first craft night! EEK! Now, that is spooky.

I am trying to do what I can to make some cash while we looks for jobs in this house.

In fact I will be there doing it as this link goes up!
Wish me luck! 

Sorry for the blurry links last week...I forgot to push the right button...

and once you go small, you cannot go back (and have any decent resolution)...UGH!

I have an update tutorial for my Tattooed Pumpkins up too.

 Love those things. I used them as placecards this time!

I have a chocolatley good giveaway that closes on Saturday!

_________________________________________________________________________

FEATURES

HERE ARE a FEW GOODIES FROM LAST WEEK

Barbeque Kale chips from Architecture of a Mom

Gorgeous Harp chair from Shona Sky Creations

A Better Granola Bar from Maddalee

_____________________________________________________________________

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

<a href="http://www.504main.com"><img alt="504 Main" src="http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac35/Holly7081/Grab_button_150.jpg" /></a>

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!

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

Tattooed Pumpkin Placecards

We had the most amazing Princess-y Party yesterday.
Eight girls dressed in the princess best come over for a Halloween Tea party!
I am still giddy about it. They were enchanting.

 I included a number of elements, but one of my favorites (and the girls got to take them home) were the placecards pumpkins. (the entire party will be posted by Monday but you can see the preplanning now!)

First I adore pumpkins of all sizes shapes, and colors,
but these mini white ones are magical to me!

I have tattooed pumpkins before and love this technique.
I feel that since TEMPORARY TATTOOS are made for human skin,
they curve and stick to the skin of a pumpkin really well...
so that is why I continue to use them.

I also LOVE tattoo paper because I can print detailed images
from amazing sources like The Graphics Fairy.
(see my original tattoo pumpkin post for those pumpkins)

Tattooed Pumpkin Tutorial

This tutorial is from my original Tattooed Pumpkin Post

BUT it has been UPDATED!

Here's what you need:

• Pumpkins
• You just need Temporary Inkjet Tattoo Paper/Kit - You can buy TEMPORARY INKJET TATTOO PAPER many places. Usually you get1-2 sheets per pack (You need one sheet of printable paper and one sheet of adhesive for each project).
• I purchased this last batch from Robins Eggcetera on ebay - at the time, the best price for the most paper. Here is a link for Amazon:
 

NOTE: I used 2 sheets of paper/adhesive to print 11 names and a Happy Halloween phrase too

MAKE IT!

• Seriously, I just followed the package directions.Each product will have its own directions...just read them (yes, I actually did read the directions this time)
• Decide on a design. For this project I simply used French Script from my regular old fonts and enlarged it to my desired size. But is you can (legally) download it, you can print it!
• Print it out using your computer and printer. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS AND PRINT ON THE SHINY SIDE AND BE CAREFUL AS YOU HANDLE IT....IT NEEDS TO DRY THOROUGHLY. 
• NOTE: If you are printing names or for most images - be sure to use the MIRROR Image option so the final product is exactly as you imagined it would be.
• After the print has dried thoroughly, apply the adhesive. Remove the solid side of the adhesive backing and line up the edges of the printed sheet and adhesive. Smooth adhesive onto printed sheet. I used a credit card to firmly push out the air bubbles and get good adhesion.
• Cut out the design - with your scissors.
• Remove the clear backing from the adhesive when yo are ready to apply. It will be sticky once you do this.
• Position the tattoo and rub/push into place.
• Apply a moist cloth to dampen the tattoo and get the tattoo to stick (just like those temporary tattoos the kids get at parties). After about 20-30 seconds the top paper (the actually backing of the printed sheet) will loosed. If it is not loose, reapply the moist cloth/paper.
• If some parts are sticking up, loose, not completely adhered, I was able to use my finger lightly to smooth things out.

Be sure to come back Monday for all the party details

 

Whatcha think? 

 Fun for Halloween...or heck all Fall long!

 

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

CHOCOLATE! Did You Hear Me? I said CHOCOLATE (GIVEAWAY)

Of course you know it is that time of the year...

falling leaves, crisp air, Halloween...

and CHOCOLATE!

  

Did you know Halloween is the biggest holiday for chocolate sales in the U.S.?

Did you also know most mainstream chocolate comes from field where child labor has been documented? 

But this Halloween you can indulge and show the world that

"Halloween shouldn't have to be scary" with Equal Exchange chocolates.

Equal Exchange has been a pioneer and U.S. market leader in Fair Trade since 1986 and is a full service provider of organic coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, olive oil and other products. 100% of Equal Exchange products are fairly traded, benefiting more than 40 small farmer co-operatives in 25 countries and around the world. 
 
Equal Exchange chocolate is sourced directly form the small farmer coops. These are the perfect chocolates for those of us (Me! me!)  looking for a traditional candy bar flavor, but with high quality organic chocolate and you can feel good about eating them because they are Fair Trade!

 
I recently had the opportunity to try Equal Exchange chocolate. My family and I had a little taste test of the Peanut Butter, Crisp and Dark Chocolate with Fruit candy bars. Oh yeah...we loved them. My favorite (much to my surprise because I have always been a crisp girl was the dark chocolate with fruit.

After sampling them on their own, we decide to many some fancy s'mores. Now, that could be slightly addictive! YUM!

 

Along with our chocolate bars, we also got a delicious box of fair trade chocolate minis. They have just a touch of hazelnut and I just may be popping these into my mouth like nobody's business (now that is dangerous!)

 
So, bring a little "fair trade fright" into your Halloween and support the small farmers in co-ops in Peru and Paraguay who produce the  organic and fairly traded ingredients by purchasing Equal Exchange chocolates. 

Hop on over the the Equal Exchange Facebook page (and give it a "Like") play the Cacao Game for a chance to win some candy bars. You will watch a farmer guide you through the harvesting of a cacao bean and even get a code to get 30% off a purchase! 

You can also win some chocolate right here...right now!

GIVEAWAY

Here's you opportunity to try out some of Equal Exchanges chocolates

Open from 10/23/12 to 10/27/12 to US residents
(EATERN TIMES)

Winner receives one 24 count box of full size assorted
full size chocolate bars from Equal Exchange
Flavors include:
milk chocolate peanut butter,
milk chocolate crisp (with puffed rice and quinoa),
and dark chocolate fruit and nut (with raisins and almonds).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

disclosure: I was provided with product to review and for this giveaway.

Warning: This is Not a Healthy Breakfast...S'mores Pancakes

In our school district we have a Fall break and I love it!

We get one week off in October.

A great way to recharge, travel and have fun.

Usually we head out of town, but this year we just hung out.

My son was begging me to make pancakes...

or rather begging me to let him make pancakes from scratch.

He's old enough to do this with supervision...so I said OK.

One morning (way too early for a vacation week)

we got up and he decided he was making S'mores Pancakes.

Now, normally when I make pancakes,

I add flax seeds and use whole wheat flour and try to health-ify them.

BUT I figured as a treat,

I would let him have at his creation...and here it is...

S'MORES PANCAKES

INGREDIENTS

You can use a Pancake mix (packaged) or homemade recipe.

Joe used the recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook with a few adjustments.

DRY
1 1/2 cups flour - Joe used 3/4 cup all purpose flour and 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

WET
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk (Joe used coconut milk, but you can also use fat free milk)
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
2 Tablespoons canola oil (or coconut oil)

GOODIES
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup mini marshmallows
4 squares honey grahams, crumbled

Here's a shot of the original recipe

MAKE IT!

• Sift together dry ingredients (OK, I confess we just through it in a bowl and whisk it all together)
• Beat the egg
• Add vanilla, milk, and oil to the egg and mix.
• Add the wet to the dry ingredients and combine thoroughly.

• Heat griddle or large pan and spoon about 1/4 cup batter on the hot griddle.
• Place 4-5 mini marshmallows on each pancake.
• Sprinkle the top with 1 teaspoon mini chocolate chips.
• Sprinkle the top with graham cracker crumbs.
• Flip when the pancakes start to get bubbles on them.
• (Joe actually added a mini chocolate bar to the center of each pancake  - just for fun!) 
• Finish cooking...and

ENJOY your decadence in the morning!

Thanks to my sweet Joe for this delicious treat!

  

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre