The lemonade stand and bake shop inspiration

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In a few weeks, our subdivision will be having its 2-day neighborhood yard sale. Now, I love going to yard sales, but fervently do NOT want to have one myself! However, Maren has been asking to have her own lemonade/cookie stand 'the next time we have a yard sale'. Since the time frame on that could very possibly be NEVER, I told her that we could just set up a stand for her during the neighborhood sale and skip dragging all of our junk out on the driveway. She happily agreed, and I happily started planning.

For me, planning a creative project is just as much fun as actually carrying it out, and this project is no exception! I've already planned out in my head just how my Maren's lemonade stand is going to look. I even created a Pinboard to collect ideas! Here's what is inspiring me:

• Black and white striped awnings like this one from MadeByGirl
• striped awnings with scalloped edges, like this one from DanaMadeIt

Original source: http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/bistro-awning-mini-tutorial.html

We're planning to use a 6-ft. folding table but we'd like some shade, so I thought maybe I can make an awning. I love the idea of having a striped awning and I remembered that IKEA sells this black-and-white striped fabric that might just be perfect.

My idea is to use PVC pipe to construct an awning frame, then sew the fabric to fit over the top. The PVC would be light, inexpensive, and easy to work with since they sell all of the connectors I'd need for the corners. The awning could then be disassembled when we're done and packed away to use for future lemonade stands or bake sales. I haven't been to the hardware store to check out the PVC pipe yet but in my head, this is a totally do-able project. We'll see what it's like in real life!


In my searching for inspiration, I came across this cute lemonade stand made by Lisa Storms for Fiskars. I'm in love with the clever 'lemon slices' she made using accordion paper pinwheels and white doilies:

Original source: http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting/Articles/The-Lemonade-Stand

I'm thinking of a color scheme of black and white, yellow, and light pink. I do believe there will have to be striped paper straws, because everything tastes better when it's cute! (sidenote--Amazon carries these boxes of 144 straws in several basic colors and they're a great deal--cheaper than many online party supply shops)

Maren wants to sell baked goodies in addition to lemonade. There will of course be cupcakes, and I think this idea for packaging them is simply brilliant!

Original source: http://www.cookiemadness.net/2011/04/packaging-cupcakes/

Be sure to check out my Lemonade Stand Pinboard for lots more cute lemonade and bake sale inspiration! And if you Pin anything from this post, please be sure to pin from the original sources to give credit where it is due!

I'll keep you all updated on our progress and if I'm able to make that awning like I'm hoping--I think not only will it provide needed shade for us (and the cupcakes!), but it will be so cute that people driving by will want to stop and buy a glass of lemonade and a cupcake from a cute little gap-toothed 7-year-old girl!