Minnie Mouse Cake

This was my very first commissioned cake. I made it for my friend Becky's adorable little girl.

I was worried about the added pressure of making a cake for someone else (hello, perfectionist Stacy in overdrive) but it was no. big. deal.

I hope she likes it!

DIY Valentines

We usually don't do anything for Valentine's day, but this year we were invited to a Valentine's Day party (!), so I decided to step outside my comfort zone and make some Valentines!

Madeline and I combed over my Valentine's day Pinterest board and she wanted glowsticks! (What kid doesn't, right?)

There were a couple of examples of the ones with a 'heart' - I decided to make my own in Inkscape (you can have a generic one for free HERE). Some scissors, two hole punches and a glowstick later - voilà, homemade valentines!

For Evie's, I came up with something of my very own! Since I usually don't have good paper-craft ideas, I was very excited about this.

All you need is a balloon and a piece of ribbon. One hole punch at the bottom and pull the opening of the balloon through the hole and tie the ribbon around it.

You're probably wondering, "Why Green?!? It's Valentine's Day!" Well, I just happen to have green and white balloons for a little someone's upcoming birthday party and I'm too lazy to go get different ones....

Besides, green's awesome, if you didn't already know.

All that matters is that my baby likes 'em, right? This face says it all.....I think...

The best part? I have printables for this one, too! In many colors! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 Free Balloon Valentine Printables: Green, Blue, Purple, Yellow, Orange, & Red.

Changing Table Refinish

This was our changing table (I had clearly already begun sanding it and then thought 'I should take a before picture...'):

We got it before my first child was born over five years ago.

It's been banged up. The drawers weren't working properly. It was an ugly color. Need I say more?

I found this tutorial on Pinterest about repainting furniture and used it as a guide.

But there were other problems with this dresser that had to be addressed first.

The first thing I did was replace all the drawer sliders for the three big drawers (Lowes).

Then I had to sand everything. The primer I got said you didn't have to sand it, but I did anyway, just to be sure the paint would stick. And since we were using the darn thing at the same time I was doing the refinish, I had to reassemble the dresser as I finished each piece. Needless to say, I'm an expert at taking this thing apart and reassembling....

The next step was the primer - Zinsser 1-2-3 Water-Base Primer is what I used.

Then the paint - Baer - Gem Turquoise 500B-4. I wanted blue but not BOY blue. PS - I love this color.

Then the finish - Minwax Polycrylic.

And finally (finally!) I was done (with a month left in my pregnancy to spare).

We've been enjoying this lovely refurbished changing table for over seven months now! (has it really been that long? Wow.)