here is another example. this one has a glass bottle with a hydrangea bloom in it.
when i found these old metal register covers at a garage sale i squealed 'score' to myself. i have been keeping an eye out for these for a couple of years. and with a price tag of $4 for each of them i scooped them up quickly. the lady hosting the garage sale asked what my intent was for them. when i told her that i was going to screw them to a wall in my kitchen and make them wall pockets she immediately was wishing she had thought of that idea. a couple of years ago i saw this idea in a magazine. so it's been in my project file since then and the register covers have been sitting in the garage for a few months. so finally i decided to get them up. they hang one atop the other on a wall in my kitchen. even when they are empty they look beautiful. and who doesn't love beauty AND function?! great idea, great find, great price, great art, and another great project finished.
this post is for my friend L. just wanted to sincerely thank her for always remembering tray bella when someone asks her for a unique birthday gift idea. she is always talking up how great my little business is and what a wonderful & unique gift trays make. her friend that bought this one was heading out to load it up with fun extras. the recipient of this gift is going to be so thrilled! so thank you to L, and all my other friends too, who always think of tray bella for gift ideas. i should have more trays added to my shop by the end of the weekend.
i set up this display on my front entry table. the pink tutu i just love! and when it came in the mail it looked so small to me. so even though my 2 year old model is a boy....i put this on him to see how it fit. oh my goodness does he look adorable with his curly hair and a tutu on. i will not post the photo here, but you can bet i'll hold onto it for those college days when i might need some ammunition. ;) back to the shower.... so the tutu is part of the display, but also one of my gifts to her. the glass bowl is filled with homemade star sugar cookies and double as party favors. my friend has stars in the nursery so this was my way of pulling in another special touch for her.
a clothesline of cute clothes. again decorations but double as gifts to her from me.
the friend that co-hosted with me made some fabulous brunch food. oh my goodness was it ever so good! not sure why i didn't get a photo of it, but mark my words it was out of this world yummy! i made this cake for the dessert. you line a spring form pan with sliced up ice-cream sandwiches. it has a oreo cookie base and strawberry and vanilla frozen yogurt filled the center. whipped cream on top with broken cookie bits. perfect for the warm day outside that it was.
i had fun setting the table out on the patio. i purchased silver plastic chargers from big lots for a mere buck fifty and then spray painted them green to match colors we were using. orange and blue napkins and each napkin ring had a flower tucked in for more pink! paper lanterns added to the festive atmosphere. it was a delightful brunch with good food and good friends.
floral arrangement on the buffet. roses were store bought and all other flowers and greens came from my garden that morning. a photo frame i painted to match the color scheme and a cute photo of my dear friend and her adorable daughter. i am so extremely happy for my friend. she has been blessed in many ways and has a bright, fun, lots of hugs and kisses future ahead of her. *swak* i love you C!
i had to run a quick errand on the 4th of july. on the way i found a garage sale and with a little cash in my wallet, i had to stop. i'm so glad i did! the sale had lots of red and blue decor. i found this square piece of art for a mere 3 bucks. the flag is fabric and the tree, bird and saying at the bottom are all embroidered. (it has a made in china sticker on the back...so i know this wasn't hand made) but with the black frame it goes perfectly with my home decor. so when i got home i quickly threw this ensemble together on my front entry table. i just added the red candles, put the art piece on an easel and slung the festive fabric banner (for sale in my etsy store by the way... ;) over the mirror. this really only took 5 minutes and i love the simplicity of it. 
for those of you that actually view this blog to see trays....this one is for you. it does seem that i haven't posted about trays in awhile. it's obvious that i go through stages. i'll do a bunch of them and then take a break and then get inspired by some paper and turn out another batch. i tend to do lots of browns and tans and use papers that aren't really so bright. but i thought with it being summer that some of you might want a bright fun tray for a patio party or for your summer decor. so i've pulled these six papers that will soon be trays that will soon be available at my etsy store. i'll be sure and let you know when i've added them to the shop. so see, i do work! ;) thanks to those who check out my blog often and who have commented that i'm one of your favorites! it's a joy to be creative and to have others love it.
we've been having such beautiful weather in kansas city lately. i'm sure it's the calm before the summer heat and humidity. we met a friend at a park today and had a picnic lunch. i love to pack up the picnic basket with yummy food and head out somewhere. or you could even just picnic in your own backyard. there is something so simple about a picnic lunch....i encourage you to find a day in your busy schedule to slow down and enjoy this beautiful summer.
we are so lucky to have the deanna rose children's farmstead in our area. we visit it probably 5 times a year. we spent 4 hours there one day last week and i was so glad that i remembered to take my camera. **warning** this is a very long post! if you are planning to visit kansas city this summer, this farmstead should be on your list of things to do! the deanna rose children's farmstead, established in 1978, was designed to depict a turn of the century farm. this beautiful and diverse park provides a fun, safe and educational farm environment that cultivates an appreciation of farm life, wildlife, and kansas heritage.
it was a beautiful day to walk around the farmstead. we purchased a sack lunch upon arrival, found a shady picnic table and talked about what animals we wanted to see.
a small pond with goldfish and turtles was our first stop. there are food dispensers all over the farm to feed the fish, goats, ducks, ect. 25 cents per handful.
i love all the farm equipment that is placed around the farm. the gardens are just beautiful.
volunteers do all the plantings, and maintenance of the gardens.
so many nice paths to walk on. this was the first time we've been this year and even though we took the stroller, cooper wanted to walk with his big brother. and was always grabbing for his hand to hold....how cute is that?!
cooper spotted this kitty taking a drink of water out of a bucket.
this is the childrens garden. brick paths, vegetables, flowers and fun things to look at.
most of the flowers are marked, so it's also a wonderful learning environment.
large flowers to look through for funny photos.
fun paths to walk on...this one has the alphabet painted on stepping stones.
walking under a covered arbor.
goats of all sizes are at the farmstead. this is one of the large goats.
this goat was taking a rest. and cooper decided to stand back a few steps.
a space for petting goats. these goats are medium in size and maguire recognized that they had really grown since our visit to the farmstead last year.
i've always loved this little white house with it's manicured gardens.
this path is one of our favorites on a hot day. it's mostly shaded and it's also home to the butterfly garden. large wind chimes also hang in the trees and on a windy day, this is a beautiful place to walk, sit, enjoy.
these are the wash stands for hand washing. after feeding the goats and other animals it's nice to cool off and send the germs down the drain.
every year there is a new feature at the farmstead. last year a 5,000 square foot dairy barn was added. it is so beautiful and is home to several cows and a milking station. they also have a theatre in the barn and a place to buy snacks and drinks. maguire was checking out this map to see where we still needed to go.
a dock at grandpa bob's fishing pond. we filled our cups up with fish food and feed the fish and ducks. 
cooper loved watching the fish jump up to eat the food he had thrown in for them.
horse drawn wagon rides, pulled by draft horses, through the woods is a fun event.
the tractor attraction was added a couple of years ago. it's always a favorite and this year cooper was big enough to climb up on a tractor. i pushed him around the path while maguire tried to race us.
after getting hot riding the tractors, we stopped for a cool snack....huge popcycles!!
maguire loves to feed the baby goats. 1 buck for a bottle of milk. as soon as you walk into the pen they come running. chewing on your clothes and shoe laces is part of the experience.
there are so many other things to do and see at the farmstead. you'll have to visit it to see the rest. you can easily spend all day here. there is also a playground and a small water feature that we cool off in afterward. then we head home and can't wait for our next visit. the farmstead is also a great place for birthday parties and family gatherings. check out the farmstead website for all the details. oh and did i mention that admission to the farmstead is ....FREE! we always put $10 into the donation barn. there are lots of other donation and volunteer opportunities from buying bricks to line paths, benches and swings, or buying butterfly houses in the butterfly garden. such a great place and so amazing that it's put together by volunteers and donations. check out the farmstead for yourself, you won't be disappointed!
