Monday was hubby’s 30th birthday and I spent most of that day running around, doing last minute things because my motto is typically, “Procrastinate now, freak out later”.

He had asked for cupcakes instead of a cake and I had wanted to make a cute cupcake stand that was a little more unique than the store bought one I have. I’d had this tutorial bookmarked for a cheap/easy cupcake stand using dollar store finds. I thought it was super creative and frugal! (Right up my alley these days!): The Little Brown House: Dollar Store Cupcake Stands…

Supplies from the dollar store

So I gathered up my supplies: glass candle stick holders, metal burner covers, super glue, scrapbook paper, spray paint (not pictured) and paper doillies. Unfortunately, I made a few fatal mistakes and instead of this being a “look what I made! How cute is that?” kind of post, it’s a “didn’t quite work out so great” kind of post….

• #1 – Do not wait until the last minute to assemble this bad boy. And I mean SO VERY last minute that dinner is over, your cupcakes are fresh out of the oven and you’re just barely spray painting your bases.
• #2 – Do not, I repeat, DO NOT drink two (full-to-the-top) glasses of wine before attempting to do anything involving spray paint and/or super glue.
• #3 – Do not grow impatient and not allow the bases to dry, just because your kids are about to launch themselves through the freakin’ roof if they don’t get a cupcake RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE. Seriously I’ve never seen such monkey antics!
• #4 – Remember that being tipsy AND hasty is a super bad combination. Do not accidentally glue down the wrong side of the base to your top tier and then remark “Oh Shit!” after the fact. Upside down base = totally unsteady structure. Oops.

My monstrousity managed to stay intact up until the last “Happy Birthday to you!” was sung, then it proceeded to topple over into a nice little cupcake/frosting dollar store disaster.

Oop! A little crooked... right before the epic fail

We managed to salvage most of the cupcakes, however, my three-year-old decided to LICK like 5 of them straight away. I had hubby throw the whole stand out. I plan to get more supplies and try it again, this time hopefully without the wine. Heh :D

I’ve seen the art of stacking books w/knick-knacks to add height to objects and also to create visual interest. Using plain ol’ books seemed kinda boring to me, plus none of the books I had were right for my color scheme, because I’m all matchy-matchy like that. I was so excited when I came across two great tutorials on how to fabulize your old books (yeah, not a real word)….

• The Pleasures of Homemaking: Painted Books & A Mantelscape
• Decor Chick! A Book Makeover! Yes, A Book Makeover…

Love it! Now my turn!…

I’ve acquired a wee stash of spray paint and have been spray painting everything in sight! Just ask the hubbs ;) So I first spray painted my books, one ivory and one black. I also decided to use a coordinating paper on the spine of each book, rather than one single pattern.

My two old books, repurposed

I think they came out decent for my first attempt. There are still many crafts I have yet to master (i.e. I’m SO not talented with a stencil/paint). However, I do fancy me some Mod Podge and I’m getting better at using it without bubbles and/or mess-ups. The trick is to work fast and to cover your object with the Mod Podge, not the actual paper (D’oh!)

Here they are, displayed on the bookcase

Those two tutorials above are super helpful, but here’s a few tips/suggestions in case you decide to try it out:

• If spray painting, you WILL want to tape off the book’s paper edges with painter’s tape.
• You still might have some places on the cover’s edges were the spray paint didn’t hit. Use a thin brush and matching craft paint to touch up the spots that were missed.
• I measured each book and used a large paper cutter to make sure my scrapbook paper was perfectly cut.
• Using a foam roller to apply the Mod Podge was super effective/fast.
• Definitely use a ruler to smooth out the paper from top to bottom

So lovely!

I don’t really have any stamps to try out, but I’m just thinking of all the color combinations that I could make with my scrapbook paper stash… *dreamy, far away look* !!! But I’m going to try to refrain from over doing it with decorative books all over the house! I have a habit of getting carried away with stuff… heh.

After a 4-month long hiatus, I’m back! And with a new design even! Go me!

In the past, similar rebirths usually entailed the deletion of absolutely everything and starting from scratch. However, I’ve only recently grown a few newish qualities called “realism” & “simplifying”, because honestly – I just don’t have the time or energy to code everything all over again. Too much work! So I’m just revamping, deleting a few unbecoming posts, and starting again from where I left off…

Oh, and I’m opening this blog up to the “world” again. Time heals all wounds and I’m done licking them!

A lot does/doesn’t change in a span of several months. For me, I think my attitude has changed a lot. Situations and circumstances have changed me emotionally. I’ve always been a little emotionally immature, but there has been improvement in that regard. My Dad recently said to me…

… “I know its been tough on you but life is not necessarily fair. I don’t know of anyone who has had the perfect childhood or life. My childhood was far from perfect. But you make the best of it. I know I have. If I’ve learned one thing in life is that you have choices.

You can choose to be happy or unhappy. It really is up to you.”

I agree Dad.
I choose to be happy.

With that being said, the day-to-day hasn’t changed too much. It’s summer, so I have two crazy, attention-starved toddlers testing my patience every day! I’ve also been working a lot on craft projects and home decorating. I’m proud to say I’ve been following a bunch of fabulous blogs that have given me some awesome inspiration on how to make our house super cute and do it all frugally. We recently bought some new furniture and I’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg with accessorizing like the perfectionist that I am. I have so many idea and projects in queue, it’s not even funny!

If only there was as much time and money as there are ideas! Oh well, it’s baby steps. I’m trying to remind myself that everyday is a gift! A new day to create/do something great! Let’s see how long this optimism lasts. Sickening huh? ;)