01 April 2011

Appetizer Station


Hooray it's Friday!
We've rummaged through the kitchen
cupboard and ransacked a few thrift stores,
{with a side trip to get some super glue}
all in the name of making our own cake stands.

Here's my final idea for the week:

Blah: a flat basket & a Japanese tea cup.
{Assembled using super glue}

TADA!: An ultra-chic cake stand!

I think this is a modern way to serve appetizers like
cheese & crackers, antipasto or chips & dip.
{Just line the basket with parchment paper or a
smaller plate to keep the grease off the basket.}

Have a major-ly GOOD weekend ya'all!

31 March 2011

Fit for a Tea Party


Here is today's blah:

Pretty plates, a candle stick, salt & pepper shakers.
I found these in my kitchen waiting,
waiting, waiting to be used.

Well I told them, "Today's your lucky day!"
I'm giving them a blah to TADA! transformation.
And super glue was all I needed.

TADA! A gorgeous cake stand if I should
say so myself.

Let's add another layer, using an empty shaker &
a medium-sized plate.
Apply super glue in between & let dry.

Ready for another layer?

Why not?
TADA! A multi-tier dessert stand that
will be your excuse for a tea party!

Whether it's home-baked goodies or
bakery-bought treats, this stand will welcome
each sugar-dusted confection with open arms!

30 March 2011

Sweet Endings


Don't you enjoy it when food is displayed
in a pretty way? I believe that we eat
with our eyes first and what we see
helps tremendously in the whole
dining experience.

That's why I love it when a cake
is served on a cake stand.
It's not done all the time, but
when it is, it makes me smile.

I'm making a few cake stands
this week and just because there's
"cake" in the name, doesn't mean
it can't be used for other things.

Blah: single piece China (made in England & Japan)
that I found on separate trips at the
Salvation Army thrift shop.

Just attach them together with super glue...

TADA! A mini cake stand!

Use this to serve chocolates or biscuits -- the ones
that go well with after dinner coffee or tea.
I promise you, your guests will have
smiles on their faces!


29 March 2011

Cookies for Company


Thank you for coming over today!

This week, I'm neck-deep into making my own

cake stands. I just find these adorable &

extra points if they're home made.

Here's an easy one using glass & ceramic:


You may have a bunch of unused plates, a glass jar

or a votive holder in your cupboards.

Individually, they may lack

personality -- a little bit blah.

But pair them together...


...they become TADA!

With the help of some super glue,

they are now elevated plates that

command attention.


Use them to display cookies & sweets

for your next gathering.

Bon appetit!

28 March 2011

Do It Yourself Cake Stands


Hey, hey, it's Monday!
I hope you're already starting the week
with a spring in your step.

I've seen a lot of these pretty D.I. Y. cake stands
in blogs and magazines:




I found them too irresistible, I had to
make some myself!

So I gathered up several pieces that
could potentially become a cute cake stand.
You'll see the many options all this week on my blog,
starting with this:

I got both the plate & the goblet at
a thrift store for $1.00 each.

Clean them well, then glue together
with some super glue.
Allow to dry for several hours.

TADA! A mini cake stand!

Instead of using it for food, use it for this:

A place to store your favorite accessories.

Here's another version:

The bowl is also from the thrift store and the
candle holder is from Ikea.

Glue together. Let dry.
And TADA! Another container for your baubles:

Super handy if you're a ring collector like me.

Put these on your dresser...they make your little
space look like a boutique. They act as a
fun alternative to this jewelry organizer too.

May you all have a productive week!

25 March 2011

Secret Stash


Happy Friday!
All this week, I found inspirations all over the web
on how to recycle old books.

Today, I'm back at the craft table to give
you my take on turning a forlorn book
from blah to TADA!

Blah: an old hardbound book

Blah: an old box

Step 1: Detach the pages from the hard cover
using a quick slice with a box cutter.

Step 2: Remove any existing tabs from the box with scissors.

Step 3: Save the inside front & back cover of the book --
they're usually blank. Also detach these from the
hard cover with scissors.

Step 4: Use the blank pages from the book to cover
the sides of the box so you hide any print or letters.
Use glue & allow to dry.

Step 5: At this point, attach some lace or ribbon to the box
using hot glue. This will serve as a closing mechanism.

Step 6: Center the box inside the hardbound cover
and attach (top & bottom) with hot glue.

TADA! What was a sad book & an empty box
is now a sensational storage solution!

Fill it with your treasures like jewels
or secret vices like chocolate.

If you stack it with your other books,
no one will ever know where you
hide your secret stash!

Have a fun weekend!

24 March 2011

Wall of Words


Whether you own a lot of books or like perusing
the shelves of used bookshops:

Here's a project that can turn
blah books into a TADA! environment.

Pages from books are turned into wall paper:








These rooms are so dreamy, don't you think?
Enjoy your day!