Can you believe we are on our 25th thrifty makeover this month? If you missed any of my March Madness makeovers, I end each post with all the links at the bottom.
Are you ready for a sweet makeover? I picked up this doll cradle at a yard sale for $2 two Summers ago, and its been sitting in my garage ever since!
Its very well made and not bad as is, but I thought it could use a touch of what I’m calling shabby sweet:
Isn’t it sweet?
I have boys, so I never went through the doll phase with my kids.
The cradle was painted with a coat of spray primer first, then two coats of Rustoleum’s Blossom White spray paint. I usually prefer chalk paint, but for a simple small project like this, the spray paint worked great. I sanded the edges like I usually do to shabby it up just a tiny bit.
How about those super sweet bed linens?
They also started out as thrifty finds!
I found the shower curtain at a yard sale not long after I found the cradle, and thought it would make a great quilt. The sheet was a thrift store find a couple of months later. I originally planned to redo the cradles (I have one more) for my last show, the Christmas Market in 2013, but never got around to them.
For the “mattress” I used a really flat feather pillow form that was always more flat than I liked…perfect for a doll cradle mattress!
Ever wonder what a feather pillow looks like inside?
There you have it. I cut it in half and tried not to send feathers flying all over the place!
I sewed it up one side and then made a cover for it with the sheet.
I made it like an envelope pillow cover so it can be removed for washing.
Pretty cushy, right?
I made the quilt from the shower curtain, as well as the pillow.
I want to crawl in there myself and be rocked to sleep. Wouldn’t it be great to have an adult sized cradle that rocked?? Then again it might make me motion sick!
It looked too plain without something on the end, so I decided to give this new stencil I just bought a try. I always hand paint my graphics so this is new territory for me.
This was part of a larger stencil:
I used spray adhesive to adhere to the end of the cradle and used a small paintbrush to paint the graphic in. I’m not a fan of the stippled look you get with a stencil brush or dauber.
When I removed the stencil, it wasn’t perfect, but not bad at all.
I took my liner brush and some black acrylic paint and went around the edges to smooth everything out. I had already started on a few of the leaves on the bottom.
I gave it a light sanding when it was thoroughly dry, and sealed it with clear soft wax.
This was so much quicker than hand-painting in the entire graphic like I usually do! I bought this and two others from Artistic Stencil Designs. This one was $14.
The teddy is mine that I’ve had for as long as I can remember. He’s the best I’ve got to help model this sweet makeover…
Unless you think Woody is doing a better job?
He and Batman were fighting it out and Woody won. Who knew Woody could beat Batman?
If you missed any posts in this fun March Madness series, you can catch up here:
3. Flea Market Swap: Fabric Covered Basket
7. Planter Box from a Thrift Store Throw-Away
4. Paint a table & Keep the Beautiful Wood too
5. Mason Jar Blue Headboard Bench
6. French-Inspired Coffee Table
7. Fabulous Bulletin Board from Thrift Store Parts
Here are this week’s thrifty redo’s so far:
3. The Rest of the Oak Bedroom Set
See you tomorrow!
XO,
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Addie says
lolololol….I LOVE WOODY in there!!!!!!! Nighty nite partner!!!
Hey that .99 cent sheet is on my bed right now!!!….I paid a lot more then .99 cents!!!!
Love this series….You’re rocking it!!!!! Sweet cradle for some sweet little miss!!!
Keep up the good work!!!
Addie
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Addie! Woody is still in there, he slept like a baby lolol!
Gilly @ Colour Saturated Life says
I am loving the March Madness, I don’t want it to end! Everything you have done is simply stunning!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Gilly! I have so enjoyed spending every day here with you guys!! XO
Heather J says
The cradle looks gorgeous! My daughter would love that for her bitty baby. Do you ever ship your items that you sell? this looks so sweet! I’m glad Woody won…it’s always a good feeling when the anticipated underdog wins;) lol
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Heather! I don’t normally ship my items, mostly because they are large and the shipping cost would make them more than most would want to pay. I’m glad Woody won too. This belonged to my oldest and then my youngest dragged it around for a couple of years, so I kind of have a soft spot for him. 🙂
Kim says
Lovely! You are soooo talented!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Kim!
Heather @ Viral Upcycle says
Of course Woody would win. Sweet makeover!
Christy K. James says
I know there never should have been a question ha ha! XO
Sue Farmer says
I knew Woody could beat Batman. He’s the best!!! I have two grandsons so I know all about Woody and Batman.
The cradle is adorable by the way!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sue! Woody is the best!! 🙂
andi says
Woody is being a girly-man! Ha! I still love that bear. And what you’ve done with that cradle is soooo adorable! Almost makes me want a granddaughter so I can do something like this with the cradle I have! Oh wait. Did I just say that? No I did not. I’m not ready!!!! Okay, I need to go back to bed. Clearly it’s been a stressful morning already.
xoxo
-andi
Christy K. James says
Oh yes you did, Grandma Andi 🙂
diane says
Wow! I am having the bestest (is that a word? lol) time this month. you totally inspire me. I was wondering where did you get the stencil, was it online or at a particular store. Keep up the good work and God bless you and yours.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Diane! I have SO enjoyed this month as well! I purchased the stencil form Artistic Stencil Designs. I included a link in the post. 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
That cradle is rock’n (sorry, couldn’t resist)! Love the makeover you gave it and the stencil but the linens you made are SO pretty…too pretty for Woody, although he looks very comfortable.
Christy K. James says
Ha ha! Thanks, Marie! Woody doesn’t seem to mind the girly linens at all lol. 🙂
Mary A. says
I just don’t want March to end! I love going to my email each morning to see what fabulous makeover you have for the day! You are so creative and talented!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Mary! I love meeting up with you guys here every day…if only I could continue to do so! 🙂
Rose L. says
So sweet! Now a cute vintage baby doll or porcelain one would be perfect!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rose…yes, a sweet vintage baby would be perfect. 🙂
TwoPlusCute says
This is pin worthy. *pins*
Christy K. James says
Thanks!! XO
Joyce @ Quilted Nest says
This project is super sweet. Love the linens! I did get a blog post up featuring your 31 days… Still loving each one 🙂
Christy K. James says
Just visited your blog, Joyce. Thanks so much for featuring my March Madness craziness. I’m so glad you are enjoying it! 🙂
Linda says
AMAZING cuteness!
Well done.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Linda! 🙂
MaryJean says
I love the cradle! I, too have boys, grown boys now with their own children. I have a doll cradle from my childhood. I now have 2 granddaughters that will soon be at an age to play with the cradle so soon I will be getting bringing it down from our crawl space for them to play with. It may need some updating!
Christy K. James says
Oh I bet they will love coming to your house to play with your own childhood cradle some day! I’m holding out for granddaughters too. 🙂