"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."
~ Henry Van Dyke

Monday, September 5, 2011

Make do and mend Mondays

This make do has been too long in the making but after three weeks, I can finally show you what I was working on...

I have a miniature armoire which was cute in its shape but a drab finish. I had been wanting to refinish it for ages. Finally, I took it outside and we started sanding it...

Finally able to gather my smallest doll quilts I have made over the years which fit perfectly in this little cupboard...

I used my leftover paint from our living room walls which is an extra matt emulsion. After painting it, I distressed the edges and applied a coat of antique furniture wax.

Now this piece of tiny furniture has a new lease on life. I think Becky the doll is pleased but she needs a few more red and brown doll quilts don't you think?

Have you any items sitting about the house that need a makeover?

Edit: The cupboard is 16 inches high and 8 inches wide.

17 comments:

Used-to-Bees said...

The little armoire looks sooo much nicer now! And your quilts are beautiful and perfectly pieced!
X

Jackie's Stitches said...

It's so cute! I'm not sure how big it is - I'm guessing around 15 or 18 inches? Your miniature quilts are so cute and I'm glad to see they have a home!

Susan in SC said...

Very sweet Heidi! I love that your mini quilts are all safely tucked away in the armoire. I am hoping to get back in the swing of M&M Mondays since school is settling down for me.

Deborah said...

Heidi, you constantly amaze me. You are the handiest person. Love what you did with the cabinet. Very cute! The quilts are adorable.

Jenny said...

How happy Becky looks now that all the little quilts have such a special home! The armoire is simply precious and you have done a great job refinishing it. I love all the little quilts too...hmmm do I feel the quilting bug tapping me on the shoulder? ;) Maybe but first I need to finish sewing my sampler into a pillow...my bench has waiting a long time...grins...
It has been cold and rainy today....a nice cozy day...hugs from CA. my dear friend.

Ginny said...

Oh my gosh! Is this cute or what? Great job!

Unknown said...

I love your mini quilts. I've always wanted to make some of those. I have a piece like yours except mine has drawers in it, but they are too small for any practical use. I was originally going to refinish it like you did, but didn't want to go through all the work because I didn't know what I would use this piece for. It was given to me I didn't buy it. How much sanding did you have to do. Do you have any tips for doing this? Linda

Saskia said...

O, that's what your where working on!.. It was really a diamond in the rough. But we both know one if we see one LOL
Love how you make do with it, and YES there are defiantly more little quilts required for it
See you later
Knuffels

Jantine said...

Love the quilts, think I saw a few of them already in real life! This armoire is really pretty! Just love it, well done!

Carolien said...

Oh that looks lovely, Heidi! And what a gorgeous doll!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you make her?
The doll quilt on top remembers me of my birthday (2010). Do you remember you showed uncle Daan and me that quilt then, you had just finished it. Nice to see it again!

See you tomorrow & have a nice 'silver day'! Hugs, Carolien

Elizabethd said...

I want to live in the little cupboard, with your doll. Imagine how cosy it must be with all the tiny quilts.
Beautiful, Heidi!

Rhonda said...

I've been looking at all this sweetness, the quilts and armoire and doll just are perfect together.
you do the prettiest things!

my parents are here for a visit, we had a dinner for their 60th anniv. Sunday night.

Babs in Alabama said...

Love it and the dolly quilts, and the dolly too :)
good job!
hugs,
babs

onlymehere said...

I have a little table by my front door that I want to paint a colonial blue but I just haven't gotten around to it. This looks so beautiful that you may have just inspired me to get it done! I don't know why but paint scares me and it never seems to turn out the way I envision it.

Anonymous said...

That's such a great idea - I have a similar cabinet that I might try to use in that way.

Nancy said...

Oh, that looks super. That color is way better for that little cupboard. I love all of the little quilts you made for Becky, and she looks very happy to be sitting with all of them.
My favorite is the one with the brown edge but I like all of them. Wonder what the next mend and make do will be? Josssssss.
Love you, Mom

Betty Lou said...

Great idea for storing you little quilts. Lucky Becky gets a new place to hang out with her favorite quilts. I'm another Ohio girl, only in Texas now.