Play Bakery

Hey guys!  Today I'm going to show you my final entry for blog wars.  I also have the 3rd round coming up too, however, that is a tutorial so I will be posting that in the near future.  For the final round I really wanted to give all I could in the short amount of time that I had to give it. ;)  We found this entertainment center on craigslist for $30.  It was in such great shape!  I knew I wanted to turn it into something great for AB.  So I turned it into a play bakery complete with pretend cake pops, pretend cookies, and pretend sprinkles.

Below is the before and after picture.

As you can see below the bakery lights up! :)  It was hard to get a good picture of it in the daylight outside so we did have this shot of it before it was finished so you guys could get an idea of how it looks all lit. :)  I just love it!

I made the cookies from wood circle cuts from Michael's.  I bought a small and a large size disc.  I painted them and then hot glued them together.  and of course, cookies would not be complete in a bakery with out the cookie bags.  I picked up the bags and the embellishments as well at Michael's. The cake pops where also wood pieces I found at Michael's.  I already had the lolli pop sticks from making real cake pops so I used the left overs for this craft!  Aren't they so fun?  I just love the stand with the glitter tape from American Crafts.

The sprinkles are made out of tiny beads that I bought at Michael's.  I put them in clear salt and pepper shakers from the dollar tree.  (To make sure they didn't spill out, on the inside of the lids I put clear tape.)

The menu chalkboard was made from one of those laser cut wood frames from Michael's. I stained the frame using a light gray color. Then, I took the bottom part of the drawer from the entertainment center and used it as the backing for the chalkboard.  Then cut out in vinyl the Menu design I designed in illustrator. 

"The Man" made the shelves from spice rack molding and a small sheet of wood we had in the garage.

Most of all the accessories for the bakery were found at the dollar tree, (Glasses and baking sheets).

The sign was found at Michael's and I just painted it white and added the details on the side and cut the bakery out of vinyl with my cameo.

There is still a few things I would like to add to it to make it 100% complete.  I plan on putting a mirror behind the shelving in the door part. And I also want to add a back part with some cute bakery styling in the main play part of it.  We originally thought it would be fun to play behind it like taking orders and stuff, but "The Man" pointed out, "Who is going to put that huge thing out in the middle of a room so kids can play behind it?"  haha.  He's right! (Don't tell him that) ;)  So I will have to come up with something for the inner back part and something on the other side. :)  I'm open to ideas!!!

Until next time, keep creating, living, and obsessing!

Check out where I link up at!

Easy DIY Lemonade Stand

Hey Everyone!

If you all didnt get a chance to checkout my tutorial on one artsy mama im posting it here for you all.  I wanted to do something that I think every parent would enjoy making while the kids get to reap the benefits! ;)  As it is the end of summer for most of us and school is just beginning, it's time for us to clean out our houses and garages for those end of the summer yard sales!  Whats not a better way then to have your kids join in and sale a little lemonade and treats? It gives your kids something to do and will also spike interest in garage sale hunters!

....So today I bring you...

First things first,

The List

• 2 Wooden "Drawer" Crates (JoAnns)
• 1 2'X4' 1/4" board (Lowes)
• 2 1"X2"X4' Side posts (Lowes)
• Elmer's Wood Filler "Natural" (Walmart)
• 2 Bags of 3/4" screws "#6" (Walmart)
• Jigsaw
• Drill
• Clamps
• Miscellaneous decor

BTW!!! Did you know that if you find a ding or a crack in any wood or craft items at JoAnns, they will  give you a discount!  I got 40% off just for this little crack on one of my crates! And it was already 25%! So on top of that I practically walked out of there with a free crate drawer unit!  Plus, JoAnns lets you use as many coupons you have all in one checkout! I <3 that store!

Step One:

Your going to measure the side of the crates.  ( I cheated. I took out my drawers and laid one crate down on my 2'X4' board and traced it.) Don't do what I did unless your good with eyeball dimensions.

Once you measure and trace out your measurements on the board, cut it out with a jigsaw. *Tip* Slow and steady wins the race.... "Just saying.."

Step two:

Then take your clamps and place the newly cut board in between your crates and place a  clamp at the top and bottom.  This will hold them in place when you screw into the wood.  Look below for reference to clamps.

*Tip* Lay the crates down so your screwing down instead of up right.  It helps the screws go in deep. review picture to the right for further tips......

Step Three:

 Measure the top of the crates where the table will be. It should come out to 9 1/2" X 24".  Draw it out on the 2'X4' board and cut it out with a jigsaw. (BTW, I should mention that you will be cutting 3 pieces out of this board so make sure your measurements count. If you have to make all the measurements before hand and draw them out before you do any cutting)  Once again, slow and steady with the jigsaw!  After your board is cut, sand the edges down. "We don't want our kids coming up to us with splinters!" Screw in the top board.  I went in from the outside with this one because the top piece is skinnier than the top of the crate. (Make sure you inset the screws.)

Step Four:

Take your 2 Long posts and screw them into the side of the crates. (Screw from the inside) It's nice to have someone to hold it for you while you screw the screws in. I was not so lucky since "The Man" is now on night shift. *Sad face* But it worked out great anyways because, "I have mad skills yo!" Use picture to the left for reference.

Step Five:

Measure the length from post to post and the length of how wide you want your sign.  I measured mine based on AB's height.  (Yes, I'm that mom that makes their two year old come out in the garage so I can have her stand behind the lemonade stand to get the right height for the sign!) Draw it out on the board if you haven't already and cut it out with the jigsaw.  Sand all the edges! And clamp it the the posts, one on each side.  Place one screw at the top and one on the bottom on each side. (make sure to sink the screw a bit, this will help with the next step)

 Step Six: 

Take your wood filler and fill all screw holes.  Let them dry for 15 minutes and then lightly sand them smooth.         Once that is done take one screw and Screw into one of the posts leaving the screw sticking out slightly to hang a sign on.  See picture below for reference.

And there you have it! A lemonade stand to decorate as you please!  

I have some very cool things to add to this to put all those other lemonade stands to shame! To see how this bad boy turns out check out our blog next week!  Hope to see you all there.  

Below are some awesome pictures of AB's First Lemonade Stand that I had made for her 1st Birthday Party.  Hope this gives you all some ideas for decorating your lemonade stands!

Until next time keep creating, living, and obsessing! ;)

How to Build a Lemonade Stand

Hey Everyone!

On Saturday I posted over at the One Artsy Mama blog!  I did a little tutorial on how to build a lemonade stand!  So if you guys haven't had a chance to go check it out here is the link to do so.

..How To Build a Lemonade Stand..

I also shared the lemonade stand I had made over a year ago for AB's first birthday party "Lemonade Stand theme" Here are some pictures I shared!  Make sure you come back next week to see how the Lemonade stand I created in the tutorial turns out!

So until next time keep creating, living, and obsessing!