Easiest D.I.Y. Stand

Friday the boys and I will be selling "Mini Ice Cream Cones." We are selling the cones for $1 per cone with all proceeds going to the Radnor Fire Company. Today we decided to make the stand! This is how I did it...but first I just want to explain how simple this stand was to make! I had done some online research and used this wonderful template for a crate lemonade stand.  Here is how mine came out:

First I went over to Home Depot and bought these crates. The D.I.Y. tutorial I was using, Vanessa only used two crates but having three boys I know all three would want to have a place to stand. So I went ahead a picked up three. Next I picked up two pieces of Poplar Boards. I was able to find the perfect size piece of trim in the discard bin and away I went to find nails and stain. I picked up a can of stain, some wood screws, two caster wheels and headed home. 

Next we stained the bins. 

I decided to use stain rather than paint because I am hoping the boys really like playing "market" and we can bring the stand inside as the weather gets cooler. This color brown matches the wood in our den so I went with it! To stain I find that using a paper towel works best. I scrunch up the towel and dip it in the stain. I rub on the stain. Less is more when it comes to staining...so keep that in mind. 

After about an hour we began attaching the crates together. I used a short wood screw to connect the crates. 

I attached the tall Poplar boards using a linger wood screw. I actually had a scrap piece of white particle board in my garage so I decided to use that as a "counter top." 

From the top of the posts I hung one of our American Bunting Flags. By Friday I am hoping to attach another board across the posts and I will paint it using chalk board paint. I really hope Michael can help me attach the caster wheels. 

Yesterday we finished our signs and we emailed the local fire company...fingers crossed we actually make some money to donate....

**** Update! Today the boys and I added a stripe on the "counter" and we painted the trim of the ledge in navy blue! I love the way it mimics the flag! Thank goodness for 3M Scotch Blue Tape!