Copyright of Content and Name of Todolwen Karen Bailey 2013

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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Baby Dresses and A Treasure To Share

Hello my dear friends,

I am very happy that you liked my felted nest tutorial and it would be great if I would get to see some of your creations! My wee bird will be the next thing I will be working on, so just give me a little time to write up the instructions and get the photos taken and I will post it as soon as it is done.

I would like to share some of my makings with you today again.

Since I have two daughters, girly things are a must in our house and I am always on the lookout for any new ideas and treasures. On one of my outings I found two little cotton dresses in a thrift store and I knew right away what I was going to do with them. My thoughts were directed toward a little girl's or baby's room decor.


I wanted the dresses to have a vintage look so out came the hot water and teabags.


 Once that was done I needed to make hangers for the dresses, which I created from old wire and pieces of broken wooden coat hangers. I painted and distressed the wood and for the hanging hook I twisted the wire and formed it around the wood.


Now I wanted to embellish the dress. I decided to make a hanging tag for each dress. I used a tea stained manila tag and decorated it with bits of muslin, an old crochet pansy with a pearl center and a small quote that I love. Using lace and delicate ribbon I strung the tag over the hanger and dress.



This is the other dress, this time a sleeveless one, but none the less just as pretty as the first.


Yet another sweet quote. Just imagine these two little dresses hanging on the wall in a little girl's room. I think it would look just lovely!


And last but not least ...

My treasure I would like to share with you.

This is an old Victorian infant school locker (long name). I bought this cupboard about 10 years ago back in England off of eBay. It came from an old school that was being torn down and I was so lucky to happen to see it on eBay, bid on it and WIN!!


 It is from the late 1800's and has three compartments. You can see the old airing holes in each door and each door has also a name tag for the student's name.


It took me weeks to hand strip it and clean it up. The hooks are the original ones but the numbers are replacements since only the outline was left from the originals and that's how I knew the number for each locker.


I am so in love with this cupboard! I have it standing in my hallway, so everyone can see it's beauty as they come into my home!


I only have a few pieces of Victorian furniture, but the ones I have are really special. I will have to show you my biggest treasure one day. It is a 45 drawer cupboard also from the late 1800's.

I wish you a peaceful and creative day,

Karen B.


11 comments:

  1. Hi Karen,
    I love, love the little girl dresses! I bought one from Barb @ Treasures From the Heart and plan on doing something with that too(added to my list). And I am coveting your 1800's school locker! It is fantastic! Lucky you to beable to get your hands on something like that! Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Sonya

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  2. The dresses (and hangers, and tags) are precious! Love the lockers, too. What a find!

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  3. I just love your dresses. I have two Edwardian
    baby nightdresses just waiting for the same treatment. you've inspired me.
    You cupboard is great.

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  4. Fabulous lockers!!! I am looking forward to your apothecary cabinet. That is the last item on my own wish list! What wonderful things so many drawers could hold. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Ohhhh. Those lockers! I think I've just experienced a bit of jealousy.

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  6. the babydress is soooo lovely! wishing you a happy weekend! di
    ;0)

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  7. I love those lockers, but you never said yes to the mouse tutorial :( snif, snif.

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  8. Karen, they are so adorable, the two little dresses- I so love how you aged them even more- beautifull.
    And your treasure, are surely something very special,so beautifull wood-and the old hooks, too- great you could replace the real old numbers.
    Dorthe

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  9. Those lockers are wonderful...worth all the work that u put into them,
    tiff at The Cranky Queen

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  10. Dear sweet Karen, I am speechless!!! This piece is absolutely gorgeous!!!! What a precious heirloom ~ and the baby dresses turned out beautiful. Just the right touches is all they needed! hugs and love, Dawn

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  11. Can I be the teensiest little bit envious of those glorious Victorian school lockers? You have done a fabulous job of stripping them and bringing out the beauty of the old wood, it positively glows! A real treasure.

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