My Crafty Weekend

my inspiration

I am so proud of myself for actually starting and finishing a project this weekend. I have all these ideas always swirling around in my head and I never get around to them for one reason or another. But these trays were just too cute not too make.

So I set out to the Dollar Tree and Home Depot in search of my supplies.

Dollar Tree: platters (3 per set), candlesticks (2 per set), All-Adhesive Super Glue

Home Depot: spray paint, spray paint primer (for three trays, next time I'd buy 2) , and tarp.

Round 1: Prime everything (front and back) and wait one hour. I waited 3o minutes in between front and back sides.


Round 2: Spray one coat on front and back.

Round 3: Spray second coat. Let dry for 24 hours.

Round 4: Glue pieces togeter. Easy as pie :)

Don't they look fabulous? It makes me so excited to use them! But it's important to mention these trays aren't dishwasher safe or food safe. I plan to use doilies, parchment paper, cupcake liners, or scrapbook paper to place the food on.

Now, on to my next project :)

Things I Want

I have been eyeing these things lately. My birthday is coming up... maybe I'll treat myself to one or two of these :)

1. Cookie pie with ice cream. I am not much of a cookie eater, but I love hot and cold together. Hot cookie + ice cream = i'minheaven. And what I like about this is if I ever was trying to feed lots of people, its so easy, cheap, and delicious. Just add scoops of ice cream and pass out spoons. Everyone can dig in :)

2. I love this rosette necklace from Allora. It adds a pop of color and its just adorable. I. want. one. There are so many colors to choose from but I love this green.

3. I want a pair of nude shoes. They go with everything.

4. An off the shoulder summer dress to wear with my nude shoes :)

5. I like this simple necklace from Chantelle Nicole Designs. I wouldn't mind either "J" or "C" or "A" (for ava :) )

6. Colorful Converse family. I came across Joy's Hope Blog and fell in love with this idea for a future family photoshoot. Too cute. And by the way, I love this blog.

7. These flats are just too adorable and I l-o-v-e some flats. These are from Delias.

Crafty Crafty

I have been on a craft kick lately (However let me say, I don't know how I will find time to be crafty when my 11 month old keeps me VERY busy especially with this new walking business.) I have all these ideas of things I want to do since I started browsing the internet for birthday party ideas. Some of them are ideas for the party and other ideas are projects I just want to do

1. Monogram frame for our front door. I love this. And I think it would dress up my front door perfectly :)


2. Tissue paper wreath. This would be fun to make for all the big holidays to hang in the house or adorn my front door.

3. I fell in love with these and in the middle of finishing this project for Ava's party. I heart the bright colors and the fact that these trays and candlesticks were only $1 each. I can't wait to see how these turn out after I glue them together tomorrow morning.

4. If you don't want to do any spray painting, these are great looking too. I know I could easily find fun plates and candlesticks or vases at Goodwills, flea markets, or thrift stores.

5. I remember making these in Spanish class back in elementary school . I am making them for Ava's party.
Well I foresee myself having some jam-packed weekends. Guess I won't get bored anytime soon.

Week in Review

My oh-so-interesting week in review:
1. Started some of Ava's birthday party projects (birthday banner, invitations).
2. My new Rocketdogs (shoes) came in the mail :)
3. Enjoyed catching up on all my t.v. shows (Grey's Anatomy, Big Love, American Idol, Glee, and Teen Mom)
4. Took Ava on several walks in her new Radio Flyer. She loved it.
5. Ava took several more steps. Especially tonight. She might abandon crawling soon. bittersweet.
6. Enjoyed a yummy banana pudding parfait for lunch.

My To-do list for the weekend:
1. Get taxes done. Show me the money!
2. Have car washed and get an oil change. Exciting!
3. Start and finish another birthday party project: colorful tiered trays (I was inspired when I came across this blog.
4. Play with Ava-monkey. And cuddle with her as she has made her way to our bed several times this week already. Did I mention my child refuses to sleep through the night?
5. Enjoy a McDonald's vanilla cone, a favorite. Maybe dip my fries in it too :)

Sick Day

Ava is in the other room taking a well needed nap. She's had a fever for a couple of days now that has really put her out of comission. While she's taking a nap, it gives me the opportunity to post.

So what's been going on?

Work has been really busy. So busy we have to work mandatory overtime for the next couple of months. But busy means job security so I guess I'm okay with it. My paycheck is also looking awesome these days so I'm not complaining here.

Ava has grown so much in the past couple of months and she learns new things every day. Tomorrow she'll be 11 months old and one month closer to turning the big O-N-E! But I'll post more on that later.

I have really worked hard at giving my drab livingroom a fresh look and so far I think it looks great. We still are working to cover up one more wall but it's really coming together. Here are some pictures I took so far.

You can't see it really well in this picture at all, but those red vases in the back I bought from Pier 1 are beautiful and were the perfect color! We had a collage of pictures hanging on this wall but replaced it with a mirror. I think it opens up the room.

We painted an accent wall and I think it brings the whole livingroom together.

I love the curtains hanging up here. Noah should like it too because it really keeps the sunlight out and my husband would love it if we lived in a dungeon. I compromised with the curtains. We have a photo collage to put up behind the t.v. I think once that is up I'll be very pleased with my living room. I should have taken before pictures.

Ava's First Vietnamese New Year

My parents' church had thier Vietnamese New Year festivities last weekend. I wanted Ava to experience some of our culture and traditions around this holiday. I even had a little dress for her to wear and she couldn't have been any cuter in it.


She didn't take her eyes off the dragon dancers. She was such a happy baby. She loved all the music, bright colors, and the other kids.
She just really started standing on her own last weekend too. She is so proud of herself that she claps when we set her on her feet. Doesn't she look adorable?

Kiddos usually get red envelopes with money inside for good luck and prosperity. She is holding her first red envelope grandma gave her. She wanted to eat it.

It was a fun night. She was dancing and laughing all night long and was completely exhausted by the end of it. Hopefully this year will be just as awesome as 2010!

Happy New Year!

Tomorrow is Vietnamese/Chinese New Year! Chuc Mung Nam Moi!