504 Main by Holly Lefevre: January 2013

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Tickled Pink No. 131

Welcome to Tickled Pink!

If you are following along with my eye saga...

(if not..skip to the linky and have a great weekend!)

Well...I finally found out what is happening with my eyes.
My corneas are not getting enough oxygen
and deposits are forming and blood vessels growing into my cornea
(I think I got that right - there is a fancy name).
Well...it stinks...and my world gets blurry quickly.

So I am dying to get Lasik...I have wanted it for a long time.
I want a tummy tuck too...but Lasik would be life changing!

Until then...I try to wear glasses and
limit my time to 1-2 hours a day on the computer! YIKES!

I cannot wait to see what you did this week?

I have been Valentine CRAZY!

I made a shabby LOVE banner

and

Hot Chocolatey Valentines Spoons

Hot Chocolatey Valentines Spoons!

Seriously...hold on to your socks...

another Valentine's Day Craft!

Yeah, I know - for me - it is craziness!

Seriously, I think Cupid shot me with his arrow!
(P.S. this is pretty easy and fun to do!)

I have about 20 ideas for Valentine's for my daughter

(the 11 year old is o-v-e-r Valentines...always has been).

This particular project reminds me of my wedding

- yep 15+ years ago we did this same project for our coffee bar.

(just imagine white chocolate drizzled on top and ivory ribbon)

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

A Place For You: Creating a Mom Cave

Everyone needs a little space they can call their own.

Maybe you cannot claim an entire room, but having even a small space you can sit, read, relax, or do whatever you enjoy surrounded by a few inspirational or favorite items can really be uplifting, relaxing, and motivating.

I have been talking about redesigning a space in my home for a long time now.

I started to think - dream - about what I would do with my own personal space,

- My Mom Cave -

and began my quest online with La-Z-Boy.

Immediately I saw rooms that inspired me.

Wouldn't you love to sit right down and enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend here?

HTC OneX Smartphone: A Day in The Life (GIVEAWAY - ends 1/31/2013)

I have been having way too much fun with my new HTC OneX smartphone!

As a member of #TroopOneX, I am roaming my streets capturing what inspires me.

I never was a gadget girl..but I think I may have turned into one.
This phone is sleek, hold a battery charge like CRAZY, and fast.
My favorite thing to do with it...snap photos -
I have to tell you that the photos the camera on this phone takes are really good.
My husband even commented on that - and that is amazing in itself!

So...yes, I have been enjoying this phone...

but I also get to give one away to you!

This HTC OneX is optimized for AT&T service.

The giveaway is for the phone..it does NOT include service.

AND HURRY - THE GIVEAWAY ENDS 1/13/2013!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Valentine Love Banner: 14 Days of Crafting Love

For some unknown crazy reason,
I have the urge to go all out for Valentine's Day this year.
If you have been hanging out with me for any period of time,
you may remember that I have a disdain for holidays...
and I barely got anything up this Christmas....
but apparently the Love Bug has bitten me...
or my little girlie loves hearts and flowers.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Idea Book: Boy Edition

It is so easy - way too easy -
to make pretty sparkly things for myself or my girlie.
I am on a never-ending quest to make things - or try to make things -
that an eleven year old boy will think is "OK" enough to use.
Well, with this project, I may have done it.
It is simple, purposeful, and not sparkly.

My son's head is FULL of ideas (hmmm...wonder where he got that from?).
He is always asking...

"Can you make a note of this?"

"Can you remember...?"

"I'd like to...?"

"I have an idea for...?"

I am tired of sticky notes everywhere...and they get lost...so now,
he has his own personalized notebook to keep track
of his many brilliant ideas, thoughts, and whatever!

I used a simple three ring binder...and wait for it...
the coolest product (EVER) to create this notebook
- Shape N' Tape sheets from Lifestyle Crafts.

You know us bloggers and crafters love our tape...
well now we can get it in 6" x 12" sheets - yes SHEETS!

Shape N' Tape Sheets

"Decorative rolls of tape just got a full size make over! With 6”x12” Shape ‘n Tape sheets, you have the freedom to cut out any shape using cutting dies or scissors. Have unlimited options to shape your creativity. Look for Lifestyle Crafts Tape It cutting die kit (sold separately) which includes 18 cutting dies designed specifically to cut out Shape ‘n Tape sheets!" (Lifestyle Crafts)

Of course using this in a die cutter is amazing...
but just to show you that you do NOT need a die cutter
to use the Shape N' Tape, I traced letters onto the sheets
and cut his name out by hand - we can all do that, right?

I then pulled out the Epic to cut some shapes- I had to test it out! I simply used the nesting circles to play with. I played with placement a bit.

For this project, I eventually used only one circle
and cut strips of the Shape N' Tape Sheets.
I then simply peel the backing off and applied my design to the notebook!

We filled it with lined paper and now Joe has a cool
(at least in my opinion) place to organize his thoughts.

Now, I cannot wait to create more with Shape N' Tape! FUN!
It comes in great colors, including
PINK, ORANGE, NAVY, and YELLOW.
I think I need all of the colors!

Shape N' Tape sheets work perfectly with the Tape It Die Kit,
"18 tape dies perfect for creating tags & cards, party & wedding details,
scrapbook pages, school projects, journals, home decor and more!" (Lifestyle Crafts)

Be sure to use the code "504Main"
to take advantage of the 20% discount!

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

disclosure: dies and shape n tape were provided to me. I am a lifestyle crafts affiliate and I LOVE their products.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Tickled Pink #130

Welcome to Tickled Pink!

Well...this week did not go as planned.

I had hoped my eyes would quit hurting and I would be back in full swing.

One of my promises for 2013 was to get back to being a better communicator -

i.e., responding and commenting in a more timely manner.

Well...

with my eyes I am trying VERY hard to only spend one hour or less total on the computer each day until I am better (or finally go to the doctor).

So that went down the tubes for now.

I have found I am amazingly efficient with my computer time right now!

HURRY OVER AND BE SURE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THIS AMAZINGLY SWEET FINGERPRINT DUO NECKLACE!

__________________________________________________________________

NOW FOR TICKLED PINK
FEATURES

(no sew) Shabby Twist Pillow from Kammy's Korner

Chocolate Chocolate Cherry Muffins from I Heart Eating

DIY Lip Balm from Sew Can Do

How to Ripen a Pineapple from What Meegan Makes

I was hoping for more...but my tired eyes cannot take it!
Thanks again for linking 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}

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!

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

Valentine Crafting (Unleash Your Inner Cupid with Martha Stewart Crafts)

My favorite kind of valentine's are homemade...

they make my heart flutter for sure.

We are in serious Valentine crafting mode here.

Nothing is off limits...especially my my little girlie leading the way.

We received a fabulous box of goodies to help us in our Valentin-ing.

Here's a sneak peek at the supplies we used from Martha Stewart Crafts...

but wait until you see our sweet project we made with these awesome supplies.

To make things even sweeter,

you can save 20% at MarthaStewartCrafts.com now through Valentine’s Day!

Just enter coupon code BLOG20 at checkout.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

K-Cup Valentine Upcycle (Guest Post: I Should Be Mopping the Floor)

Hi all! I made a big blogger boo-boo. I spent too much time on the computer and stayed up way too late...and wore my contacts way too long and my eyes are KILLING me!

I am trying to rest as much as I can right now,

and am very lucky to have some friend stopping by to help me out!

There is also an amazing group giveaway happening right now...

Hop on over to enter to win a Fingerprint Heart Duo Necklace.

Now, here's Kristi!

__________________________________________________

Hi there, 504 Main readers! I'm Kristi from ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com. I'm a part-time graphic designer and full-time DIY enthusiast. I love sharing my crazy DIY projects as well as designs and printables over at my blog. So thankful to Holly for having me here today! I'm sharing one of the easiest crafts I've ever put together...an upcycled K-Cup Valentine Box.

Y'all, I'm a total K-Cup addict. I can't get enough and always have lots of empty boxes. I like how the little flap on an empty K-Cup box folds down...similar to an old-fashioned mailbox. So...a little tissue paper, mod podge and less than an hour later....ta-da! It's an easy Valentine holder!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Fingerprint Heart Duo (Giveaway)

Hold onto your hats...or your hearts.

This giveaway is just simply amazing, stunning...and I want one too!

This Fingerprint Heart Duo Necklace from Tina Steinberg

is a piece of jewelry with so much meaning and sentimental value..

and here is your chance to win one.

Keeping on reading and you will see Cherrios and Lattes

testimonial about this beautiful necklace.

"The Heart Duo Necklace is by far one of the most precious gifts I've ever received! My husband knew I had been drooling over Tina Steinberg's Love Touch Collection and surprised me with a necklace kit for Mother's Day last year. I was thrilled! I wear my Heart Duo necklace (pictured above) almost everyday, and those days I wear another necklace I sometimes have this necklace hidden under my shirt, close to my heart.

One of my favorite things about my Heart Duo necklace is that I will always have my two little guys' fingerprints close to my heart. I love that as they grow older, this necklace will always remind me of their tiny days; those years I never want to forget.

When you order a necklace from Tina, she sends you a fingerprint kit in the mail with clear instructions on how to capture the fingerprints of your loved ones. You then send the molds back to Tina, she magically creates a beautiful one-of-a-kind necklace for you then sends it back to you. I admit that I impatiently checked my mailbox everyday until it arrived. When my necklace arrived I didn't want to take it off and proudly showed it off to everyone I could! I was one proud Mama! :)"

-Mackenzie from Cheerios and Lattes

This Valentine season, Tina Steinberg, some awesome bloggers,
and I are offering YOU the chance to win this precious necklace!

Best of luck to all; we can't wait to announce our winner!

The is one winner.
Open t U.S. and Canadian residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

disclsoure: This giveaway is a collaborative blogger giveaway. There is one winner.

Goals for the New Year...Watch out 2013! #TroopOneX #HTCOne

We are well into 2013 and I am still establishing my goals for the year.

Notice I call them goals.

I quit making resolutions.

I think the last resolution I made was on a stump

in the middle of a forest in Lake Arrowhead.

I cannot remember the resolution...

but I do remember kissing a cute boy afterward.

Anyway...since it is still January,
I feel like I can still announce my first few simple goals for 2013.

These goals are really about focusing on getting my priorities straight and working on me and my overall health and well being.
So here they are.

Take more time to walk along the beach...

to enjoy the beach (as long as I still live here)...

and enjoy life.

To take control of my health...this means daily meeting with Jillian...
and creating new healthy habits for getting my body moving.

I once was a super strict vegetarian and never felt better...
I am "almost" there again. I will continue to eat more fruits, veggies, and whole grains. I will introduce my kids to new flavors and ideas...
and we will all drink a green smoothie everyday!

These photos were taken on my HTC One X for #TroopOneX

So...the BIG question is...

How are you resolutions or goals going for 2013?

Did you make any???

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

disclosure: The HTC One X was supplied to me by HTC. Opinions, images, and content is all original.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Tickled Pink #129

Welcome to Tickled Pink!

First...You all are AMAZING!

To read some of your comments and emails

and feel the support really energized me.

This is the reason I continue to blog!

Thank you!

I am still Ms. Migraine...and blurry vision.
If you don't see me this weekend...It is because I am going to make it a goal to only be on the computer for one hour a day and see if that help...
if not...off to the doctor I go!

I appreciate you coming by to linkup today!

What did you accomplish this week?

I started a new tea time and game evening tradition with the family

Baked with Green Tea

Made some kitchen art with vinyl and and old bakeware!

__________________________________________________________________

NOW FOR TICKLED PINK
FEATURES

The most visited 2 links were:

Suitcase Transformations from Too Much Time On My Hands

Can It Dish Towels from Flamingo Toes

Paper cut art with Lily Pulitzer and Delightfully DIY

A Greek quesadilla from Your Charmed Life

Guilt Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from Cupcakes and Crinoline

How to Froth Milk in the Microwave from Lazy Budget Chef

PRACTICE PINK KINDNESS

Will everyone do me a FAVOR????

Please visit the person linked before you...

Pretty Please!

TICKLED PINK DOES NOT HAVE Categories anymore!

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

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Old Bakeware + New Vinyl = Kitchen Art

I am a teeny weeny obsessed with old bakeware.

I paint it...I use it for flowers, clocks, storage...

whatever I can think of!

I have had this vinyl for awhile...

and finally found the perfect home for it.

I really cannot apply vinyl to my walls

- way too bumpy and lumpy,

and the space I originally had this in mind for it...not so good.

BUT how can you get lost when you are accessorized with Cherry Red?

It's a showstopper now!

This is a super easy DIY

SUPPLIES

Old rectangular metal pan - from thrift store...I paid $2.25
Spray paint: color of choice. I used Krylon Dual Cherry Red Gloss
Vinyl #1414, Design Divas (Only $10.00)
Sand paper (optional)
1 DISChanger
a plastic squeegee or credit card for smoothing vinyl

MAKE IT!

Clean the pan. I also wiped it with rubbing alcohol (who knows where it has been and or for how long)
Prepare and protect you surface with cardboard/newspaper/etc.
Place the pan right (open) side down and spray in smooth even strokes, covering the entire pan. Repeat a second coat when the first is dry. Let dry completely.
Flip pan over and spray wit at least 2 coats of paint, as per package instruction.
Let dry.

Adhere Vinyl:
NOTE: The vinyl come in one length - it is meant to be placed on your wall in one length.
I cut out each word, carefully, trying to keep equal space (1/2" on the bottom and top) on the words.

Now when you place the word on the pan you can measure to find the center, but for me, as some words were in a script, center did not look quite right...so use you eye to (dry) place the words.

Once you are happy with the placement. I found it easiest to place the top word and then the bottom word, and then centering the two middle words.(use scotch blue tape to mark the place if necessary) Remove the backing from the vinyl, and place the word on the pan. Press firmly and rub over it with the credit card in all directions. Repeat with each word.

Peel the covering off the vinyl carefully, swipe with the card again if necessary to adhere any places you missed.

Take a DISChanger and moisten the back with a little warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Take the prepared DISChanger and place it on the back of the pan. Let dry.

At this point, you can decide to distress the pan a bit or not. If so (and of course I am) I am just lightly running a piece of scrap sandpaper around the edges.