A Revamped Rocking Cradle for Juno & Sadie

Greetings lovely friends & readers

Back in June I spotted this old wooden rocking cradle, tucked down on a bottom shelf in my local Habitat For Humanity Op-Shop ... only $20, which I thought was reasonable.

I went home & thought about it for 2 days - certain that upon my return, it would be long gone.  But No - there it was waiting for me to bring it home.  I'd thought it would be wonderful to revamp it for my step Grandaughters Juno & Sadie, who are now 2 & 4.

It appeared to be a sturdy piece - someone had tipped it upside down & written on it with black felt pen ... I think it says "Ashley's Caning Room? and ef I wot"  - but I'm not certain. 

 

I very lightly sanded the pen markings & gave it a good clean.  To be truthful, it was a horrid thing to paint ... all those skinny dowel pieces seemed to take forever.  I actually put it away after I'd done half of it & it sat for another month before I bought it out again & finished it off.  I used chalk paint in the colour Vintage White.  It seemed to take alot of coats to get a decent coverage.

I prefer to spray varnish anything for the little ones, rather than wax.  I find it more durable & hard wearing, & seems to be much more wipeable.  After I'd painted it I noticed a definate "bow" in the top railing on one side - this was not noticeable until I painted it - you could see someone had leaned really hard & bent the railing, almost breaking it.   The Mr was able to screw it tightly together & then I filled the hole & touched it up.  It made it more sturdier.

I wanted to use only fabrics already in my stash for this & luckily I was able to.  I found some sweet Winnie the Pooh fabric for the mattress, then this cute little girl fabric was perfect for the pillow & sheet.  

This Peter Rabbit fabric was a lightweight cotton drill, so it was ideal for making a simple frilled Quilt for the cot.

And I didn't even have to iron it because Miss Pippi very kindly did that for me by laying on it!!!

 

I think this vintage Crochet Granny Blanket came from my friend Sally ... It fit the cot perfectly so that got tucked in as well.  

By fossicking through my leftover transfers I found enough to decorate one end of the cradle - it was wonderful to keep with the rabbit theme. 🐰🐇  I am thrilled with this now it is all done ... I plan to buy the girls a doll each & give them the cradle as a joint christmas gift ... I am not sure how their sharing capabilities go but I guess we'll soon find out.

Last week I noticed my stunning Cherry Blossom Tree in full bloom (Prunus Shimidsu Shakura).  This was the tree that the Plumber said to us "that'll have to go", when our new septic tank fields were put in.  I just adore this tree & am so thankful that The Mr said to him "like hell it is" & stood his ground.  It did not need to be removed at all, there was plenty of room.  

I had to go to the city this week for a Specialist appointment & on my way home I called at the Red Cross Op-shop in Hamilton East & found this stunning blue plate for $10.  I put a plate hanger disc on the back & it looks wonderful on my blue plate wall out on my covered deck area.

These next 3 pictures are especially for Elderberry Rob Betty who frequently asks after farm life here at Threadbear HQ.

The contractors have been making the most of the fine weather lately & there was silage making going on in the house paddock this week.  They cut one day, turn it the next & then on the 3rd day they row it up & then the silage wrapper comes along & bales it.

It is a fascinating process to watch these big balers in action.  They turn the roll like a huge cling film wrapper & when it's covered it pops it out like a giant egg & the machine goes on to the next one.

I meant to take some photos of all the "eggs" sitting in the paddock but the tractor came & picked them all up while I was away getting Sid from school. 

Thank you as always dear friends, for your welcome visits here today,

Wishing you a wonderful weekend - it's a long one here in New Zealand with Monday being Labour Day,

With much love & friendship to you all,