Greetings lovely friends & readers
(warning - Photo heavy post - I've tried to condense it but there's still lots of pics - apologies in advance)
Long-time readers of my blog may remember the Princess & the Pea Cot I did for my friend Sally way back in 2017. I loved it & found it rather hard to part with ... & always kept in the back of my mind, that one day, I would like to do one for myself.
On my trip down to Mum's early last month I drove past a Vintage Store several times & couldn't help noticing a dolls cot out front on the footpath. I mentioned this to my friend Claire while we were Op-shopping just prior to my trip home - next thing I know she had whisked me off to the Vintage Shop & was able to secure the cot for me at a Very Reasonable price. I was So excited π !!
I must mention that as I was paying for the Cot, the lady very sweetly asked me "Are you going to be doing it all up nicely for a young girl?". I smiled at her & replied "Yes I am going to be doing it all up nicely but it's for a rather large Not-so-Young girl aged 61!" π
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As you can appreciate, after spending goodness-knows-how-long sitting out front of the shop - it was in rather a filthy state. I gave it a good scrub on my return home with sugar soap.
The next time I visited my local Library with Sid, I found * this * book the same one Sally had given me to use for her Cot. The Princess themed doll & bedding patterns begin on Page 104.
Over the course of a wet, rainy week I painted my cot using Chalk Paint in the colour Vintage White. Painting all those dowels was not exactly my idea of fun - but I love how it all turned out.
I glued two thin lengths of wood together, painted & screwed to the back - this was to hang my lace drapes from. This cot has a front that actually drops down & the mechanism is still in good working order.
First up I made a selection of mattresses. I know in the original story the Queen piles 20 mattresses up on the bed but I had to make do with 6 as I didn't want a tower of mattresses toppling down on me.
I especially loved the ticking stripe ones. These fabrics are all from my Tilda stash - some vintage Tilda & some from more recent ranges.
I was looking forward to making the bed quilt & cut into some gorgeous vintage Tilda that I had set aside for this.
I attached some wide vintage cluny lace to the top, just to give it a bit more prettiness.
I didn't have enough Tilda fabric for the back but I found a pretty embroidered supper cloth that I used to back it.
Then I made a wee pillow - again using vintage Tilda.
ππππ
Next it was time to drape the cot ..... I was over in the city so I popped into Spotlight as they have a good selection of lace/net curtains, which just happened to be 40% off that day.
I found a length of cream gathered lace in my stash which I sewed to the bottom - I visualised it just touching the floor.
I was happy with my cot drapes but after walking past them for a day or 2 I felt they needed something more ... so I decided to make some folded fabric roses from oddments of cotton lace. I found this Youtube Video really helpful as I couldn't for the life of me, remember how to make these. I also wound some ribbon & lace around knitting needles & painted these with a mixture of water & PVA glue.
(which is what you use when you don't have any Stiffy Fabric Stiffener)
This was the effect I was after ... tumbling down ribbon curls
Next it was time to make my Princess. The fabrics I used for her nightie & stockings are not Tilda fabrics but were already in my stash & I didn't have any Tilda that was suitable.
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I love the sweet little crown charm which I tied around her neck |
I am so pleased I gave her messy bed hair, which is what you would expect after tossing & turning all night long while sleeping on the pea !!! I made her a crown by photocopying some Tilda fabric onto Inkjet paper. The first crown I made came to an end when a certain ginger 4-legged chewed it (!!!)
I also gave her a wee lace hanky as she was probably quite distressed after her fitful nights sleep & needed to mop her brow π
I tucked the wee felt Pea into the mattress. I am deeply indebted to my lovely friend Jane, who kindly came to the rescue when I could not find/buy/acquire a crown anywhere.
How perfect she is ... I Adore her !!!
I think I should probably add at this stage - growing up I had 3 dolls which I adored , but never ever any cots, prams or other dolly related things, bar a rusty old pushchair that the neighbor tossed over the fence one day rather than take to the Tip. I was always a doll lover & No - I am not going through a 2nd childhood but I do feel that at 61 years of age, it was wayyyyy past time I got my very own dollies cot.
And for those of you that were wondering ... Yes I did have unwanted help & assistance with the creating of my Princess & the Pea.
Most especially from my Very Own Real Life Princess !!!
If you've managed to last til the end - Thank You So Very much!!
We have gone into another Lockdown here in New Zealand, which was initially for 3 days & this afternoon has been extended to a week at this stage. I am fine as I have a good supply of toilet paper & Sewing essentials but I am a bit worried about my rapidly diminishing chocolate stash (!!!)
Stay safe & well dear friends - wishing you a wonderful weekend,
With much love & friendship to you All,
Julie & the furry ones x0x0x0
Oh Julie I'm so jealous, what an absolutely gorgeous dolls bed, you did a fabulous job, and one is never to old for a dolls bed, I never had anything like that either, just a walking/talking doll, love the crown, enjoy your lockdown, funny the first one is a bit scary, but after our 5 I don't even notice anymoreπ Stay safe. Chris xoxo
ReplyDeleteLove it ,you made a wonderful job .
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty .
Have a wonderful weekend.
I have a doll bed daddy made me when I was eight. It is a bed with footboard and headboard, not a baby bed. Now, I want to make the Princess and the Pea bed.
ReplyDeleteHeHe! Bit short on photos Julie...! :).
ReplyDeleteThough l got a bit worried at the beginning,
Julie chasing after a cot..? Is there something
Julie's not telling us..! :O).
But! It all became clear further on..! :).
Love the 'wee' pillow to..do they come any bigger! :).
The final cot looks lovely..AND..look at the size
of that pea...! HeHe! :).
I know a couple of furry 'beasts' who will want to creep
in there when one's back is turned..! :O).
Lovely! Lovely! Post Julie..Great fun! I do love that
cot...! And! The Tilda doll sets it ALL off! :).
π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Y_6CRNd2M
Love it, it has inspired me to do my one up. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThank You so much Fiona ... you should totally go for it!!! I am so pleased I did mine now & can enjoy it every day. Happy Weekend to you Fiona, Julie xx
DeleteFabulous Julie. Love it all & the smiles i always have when reading of your helpful furbabies. Hugs, xx
ReplyDeleteOoh Julie, your masterpiece is absolutely stunning. Awesome to see you creating such beautiful pieces for yourself. Warm hugs your way Chrisππ
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your lovely comment Chris. I am so pleased I made myself the dolls bed & the Princess .... ever since I did the Order for my friend Sally, I have wanted to make one for myself. I even bought myself the little Golden Book of The Princess & the Pea π
DeleteMy goodness Julie, what an incredible amount of work was involved on giving Princess somewhere to lay her head! It's absolutely stunning and Princess herself is adorable. Well worth a second look so off to read again. Sorry about your lockdown which my bestie in Auckland told me about. Hopefully they manage to contain the rise in cases soon. Have a great weekend, Julie.xxx
ReplyDeleteThis is so utterly delightful and beautiful, this 56 year old girl would love it too! You really are so skilled and talented and just seem to know what will work so well together. x
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous work you do, a very talented woman. Yes you do deserve your very own dolly bed.
ReplyDeleteGinger looks to keep you on your toes.
Our niece in Wellington told us about your lockdown in New Zealand. Stay safe.
God bless.
It'll be fun to see if you can keep Miss Pippi or Blackie from trying those mattresses out for themselves. Hope the pea
ReplyDeletekeeps them off. First the painting, then the sewing than the doll making and then the finishing touches! Oh my gosh,
I'm not sure I'd have got past the washing part. It looks lovely and yes we grown women do enjoy some whimsy in our life. It helps with the daily doldrums. Sorry about your lock down, but I wish they would have one here. Things are worse than they were 6 months ago. More in the small hospital at one time than then and the number of covid cases just keeps climbing. I wear my mask, stay home a lot and scrub a lot. Thanks for the lovely post, Lynn and Precious XX
Thanks so much Lynn & Precious. I am so pleased I made myself the dolls bed & the Princess .... ever since I did the Order for my friend Sally, I have wanted to make one for myself. I even bought myself the little Golden Book of The Princess & the Pea π I'm so sorry to read your numbers are on the rise again Lynn - they are trying to get on top of it here but the numbers grow each day. They have finally made mask wearing mandatory - its taken them long enough. xx
DeleteYou did an awesome job, I just love it! We girls are never too old for dolls!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and I didn't think it was too long or photo heavy. The fabrics are beautiful and I love it that you found the cot and followed through with the sewing, painting and styling. Thanks for the links you included. Your blog is always fun to read. The Covid numbers are again on the rise in Kansas and we may be in lockdown again one of these days! Take care.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely adorable! I love every little detail right down to the lace hankie for mopping her brow! :)
ReplyDeleteThe last photo had me laughing at your real life princess and her "help".
Sorry you are on lock down again. Maybe you could barter some toilet paper for chocolate. Must needs keep our priorities straight!! LOL
Oh dear, chocolate rationing ahead! Beautiful work on your Princess and the cot, delightful. Stay safe and well. xx
ReplyDeleteYour country's lockdown is in stark contrast to the European/UK take on things - I bet you're fed up being confined to barracks again. Your princess and the pea cot is delightful, how very pretty - not overly indulgent as you will always be able to lend it to a kitty :) I love the top quilt the best, in fact I would love a quilt like that myself!
ReplyDeleteA lovely fairy tale story in your blog today... and lots of gorgeousness to see... I love all the detail in all of the pieces...
ReplyDeleteHugz
Your doll's crib is beautiful. It's never too late to do what you like :)
ReplyDeleteLady Samy
Thanks so much for your sweet kind comment Lady Samy. xx
DeleteIt's perfect Julie. When I was a kid my bike and dolls pram and pushchair all came from the tip.
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ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous Julie. My favourite thing was the quilt. The amount of work you put into everything always amazes me. I wonder where you will put it so you can enjoy it every day. Being in lockdown is a lonely business. You are lucky to have such an engaging hobby. I went straight from the hour of watching the hour on tv updating our Covid situation to enjoy relaxing reading your blog. That cheered me up. Your ginger helper looks so cuddly. π₯°
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE this Princess and the Pea story! What wonderful fun you had making this gorgeous beauty! The crown is gorgeous and I love the mattresses and the tousled Princess! Never too old for such things…ever! Thankyou so much for sharing this. X
ReplyDeleteThank You So very much for your sweet kind comment Ingrid. No we are never too old for these things I agree ππ❤
DeleteI just love, love, love this Julie. Your Princess and her bed are absolutely beautiful. You're never too old to play with dolls. One day I'll get around to making myself a Tilda doll. Take care in your lockdown. They have just announced we are going into even harder lockdown and might not come out of it until September! Have a lovely weekend. Hugs, Christine xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post....still sighing here* Everything turned out so beautifully and lovely to treat yourself...regardless of age. I have the same love for handmade bears and adore my furry friends. Enjoy your gorgeous Princess xx
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ReplyDeleteWow. I am always so in awe of your skill and creativity. I love your posts that are image heavy so please don't ever worry about that. You teach so much with your posts. Thank you. Please stay safe during your lockdown, I hope it doesn't last too long. Jean. x
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post Julie, we are never to old to enjoy things that give us pleasure, which explains why I habe so many gollies! π it was meant to be that you got the cot and you have created such a beautiful piece. Good to see Miss Pippi is on hand to help..hopefully she has not decided to try out the pea under the mattresses. Hopefully yet lockdow eases for you soon, we are back into lockdown as from 1pm yesterday π
ReplyDeleteSew darn beautiful! All those lovely quilts. I think if I piled all my quilts up on a pea the pea would cry out for help due the weight pressing down on the poor little green thing! Another round of very strange times, I'm not sure how to feel. xx
ReplyDeleteI love it! How wonderful to make yourself a princess and the pea cot! I hope you have enough chocolate! xo
ReplyDeleteOh my. What a beautiful creation. Do you put a cage around her, to stop the furry ones from climbing into her bed? I know my furry friend would love to do just that.
ReplyDeleteMy heart went all of a flutter when I read this post this morning. I think you have surpassed yourself Julie this time. I love every bit of it! A truly sensational creation and all for you ... and why not! We need these special treats now and again. Take care Amanda x
ReplyDeleteOh Julie, how could one not stay to the end, it all kept getting prettier and prettier. Yes, absolutely you needed the cot (doll bed, we call them over here) :) for your very own. You've turned it into the most beautiful little bed ever! Your choice of fabrics and ribbons and lace! Your work is amazing! I have always been a doll lover too. In fact, my sister still laughs about the time she wanted me to double date with her; her boyfriend had a friend who needed a date. I told her no; I had planned to dress up all my dolls. I was sixteen!
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