Do-overs, Make-overs and who’s up next…

EBAY ALERT: Patsy’s back! :o) You can see the auction HERE.

If you’ve been reading my posts the last few days, you’ve seen a blue cabinet that I was painting. When I left you yesterday, I showed you the cabinet painted blue and then I took some brown and sort of haphazardly added some brown brush strokes to it to make it look like it was older…

[If you click on any picture, it will enlarge.]

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Well, I was having a hard time with my pictures last night and “thought” it looked okay… and many of you complimented me on it today…
When I woke up this morning and saw it in the daylight, I realized I wasn’t “feeling the love.” The brown looked too similar to cocoa just added on top of the blue. So… I repainted it with the blue again. It was very quick to do and probably only took me 7 or 8 minutes. I just hit the big areas and didn’t have to repaint the insides again. Then I let that dry and decided to try a glaze on it to see it I could get it to look more naturally aged… I dipped my brush tip in the glaze and then dabbed it on a paper plate until it was almost off then I very lightly touched the cabinet and dragged my brush in the direction of the grain. As soon as I got a small area done, I took a cloth and wiped it off… It didn’t take me very long to do it and I am so much happier with the results. It’s very subtle and you might not be able to tell much difference, but I sure can. It’s just more even and looks 100% better… not so much like there are little cocoa brown brush strokes on it.

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I can’t get a very good picture of it where it’s at, but trust me, it’s better… It is going to stay in the sitting room for now, but it will be a few days before I can put anything on it, as the wax is curing.

So that was my first redo today…

Next up was the little wicker baker’s rack. It looked like this when I got it from the thrift shop…

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When you last saw it, I had painted it and it looked like this…

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It was “okay” but the gold Rub-n-Buff wasn’t doing it for me. I repainted the little rack and it dried really quickly. Then I took a piece of fine sand paper and distressed it lightly in a few areas and around the leaves. This is more my style… and I think it will be a piece I use for my smaller girls.

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I pulled some of my toys from my Dolly Toy Box (HERE) to show you how much fun this could be when I use it as a prop…

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When my hubby got home he had a brass light fixture and wanted to know if I could “fix” it up. He found it for $10 at the recycle place and is going to use it in the Sunday School house at our church. I forgot to take pictures of it when it was all dirty, but I cleaned it up and you can see it here. The glass lamp shades are very pretty and I can’t wait to see it hanging up.

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I had to catch up on some things around here today so I didn’t get any sewing done to show you. I’m trying to decide who gets to be next… These are the last 15 auctions I have run…

Patsy…well, actually her auction is running now… ( Oh yeah, I relisted it since Ebay pulled it last night. It’s now in the right category…according to them, and it will end on Saturday night… they were going to charge me a $1.00 fee because a 3 day auction wasn’t as likely to get a bid as it was considered too short of a time… really…)
Ten Ping – red and black set
Lian – pink and white smocked floral dress
Addy -blue ribbon Valentine
Kit – peach of a Valentine set
Josefina – red and cream apple delight
Kirsten – mid-winter dirndl
Rebecca – red and black Christmas dress
Felicity – Colonial green and cream set
Lian – Black velvet and white lace dress
Ten PIng – Hot pink and polka dots
Eden (50’s outfit) – red plaid holiday sparkle
Nyssa – Silver dress with turquoise bolero jacket
Molly – Red plaid Christmas dress
Regency -Blue bell dress on Elizabeth

I could do a dress for the ones who I haven’t made anything for lately.. Rebecca in a 1900’s dress, Saige in something, Ellowyne in something or my American Girl, Lily in a “modern” Easter dress… Just a few suggestions, but it can be anyone.

So, does anyone want to help me out and suggest a doll to be next? I’ll tabulate the responses from the comments and the emails I receive and see who gets the most requests. Easter is creeping up very quickly on me… so I’ll decide fast…

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

29 thoughts on “Do-overs, Make-overs and who’s up next…”

  1. My girls have been complaining that they don’t have anything ‘fun’ to wear for St. Patrick’s day. I suppose I’ll have to start digging to find materials that will suit them.
    We are having ‘unseasonably warm’ weather again, after snow storms last week… at least I can get into the storage unit now – the doll show is Sunday – must be ready for that….
    Good luck with Patsy’s auction – looks like it’s off to a good start! 🙂

    1. HI Mary,
      I’m a bit late getting to everyone’s comments today…
      So…your girls are unhappy with what they have to wear for St. Pat’s day, huh? You’ll have to dig in your stuff and see if you can’t pull something new together for them. :o)

      Have fun at your doll show on Sunday… I hope you make lots of sales!
      My auction IS off to a good start… thanks to all my wonderful watchers and bidders…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Miscellaneous comments: I forgot to mention that I liked your sister’s Easter table best. The chandelier is quite a find and in remarkable condition. It would be my favorite of all the brass chandeliers on eBay right now. It might be worth quite a bit. You’ll love this, Jeanne: While wading through the chandeliers, you won’t believe how many earring listings appear under “Brass Chandeliers.” The eBay police should get after that! I like the dress better on the Elin doll. Maybe it’s her frilly hair that compliments the outfit. I’ll be fascinated by whatever you do next for the dolls.

    You did such a good job on the blue cabinet. It’ll look great with whatever you put in it. I’m going to look up Railroad China on eBay to see what it’s like.

    1. HI Susette,
      Cindy read my comments today, so I’m sure she saw that you liked her table and I’m sure she smiled inside!
      It’s not really a chandelier but just a pretty light fixture. I just painted it with black chalk paint and then wiped it off giving it more an antique brass look… If you haven’t noticed, I like “old” things… I think I’ll really like “myself” in a few years! :o)

      I guess when you type in whatever it is you are looking for you get those things in all the different categories. I bet if you opened up the earrings listing, it would be in the category of earrings under jewelry but because you just typed in the word chandelier, they popped up.
      I really need to find a new wig for Elin instead of the one I’ve always used for her. It’s called Kana Wild and it definitely is Wild!

      I think the cabinet is just going to have books in it… my hubby and I LOVE books so that’s probably going to hold some new ones we have in stacks…
      Thanks Susette,
      I got your box mailed out this afternoon…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Good morning, Jeanne. Here’s my vote: I think Janie needs an Easter set with an Easter basket. I don’t think I’ve seen her modeling anything for a while???

    Anyway, your cabinet looks much better. The simple lines of the piece are more noticeable now. I can’t believe it took you 7 or 8 minutes to fix it! You’re a whiz!

    Your little doll accessories are adorable and white is perfect for props when you want to notice the outfits the most; plus white goes with everything. I need to buy myself a can of white spray paint and get to work. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Have a great day!

    P.S. I am sure that chandelier will be absolutely lovely when you’ve worked your magic on it!

    1. HI Cindy,
      It has been a while since Janie modeled anything… her ears perked up when I told her YOU voted for her to have the next dress! :o)

      Painting is such a quick fix and so much fun to see it transform right before your eyes! My hubby was very pleased with the new blue color instead of the chipped red with the bits of yellow showing through. It was his cabinet before we got married so he’s had it almost 38 years!

      Yep, spray paint can do lots of fun things for your dolls. I was going to buy some red and do the tricycle in it, but Rebecca told me she already had some… I can’t quit thinking about a red trike since someone mentioned it the other day!

      Well, the light is finished and looks older now… some people like bright shiny brass, but I like antique like brass.
      Thanks so much Cindy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. Quick summary here….everything is beautiful that you’ve finished…your cabinet is beautiful. It’s such a treat to see your work.

    I vote for a dress for Saige…have a wonderful day.

    Take care.

    1. HI Becky,
      I had a piece of fabric that I was holding up to Saige’s eyes yesterday. They are such a unique color and I like to try and match them to the fabrics I use for her.

      Thanks so much for liking the things I’ve been working on… I’m trying to get some things done along with my sewing…
      Thanks so much Becky,
      Blessings, Jeann

      1. HI Jan,
        No, Ellowyne didn’t retire, but she always seems to come in last or next to last since she’s not a child doll. I have to think extra hard when I make something for a fashionista like Ellowyne… but she’s down on the list….
        Thanks for your comments…
        Blessings, Jeanne

    1. Hi Regina,
      Oh goodie… Janie is thrilled that 2 people have picked her now! Thanks…
      I like the cabinet now too! Sometimes it just takes a few tweaks and you get it just right!
      Thank you Regina,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Marilyn Grotzky

    I agree with Susette that the new outfit is also very good on Elin and that the new brass chandelier is wonderful. Her reference to chandelier earrings showing up in the brass chandelier category does indicate that Ebay needs to work on categories, but perhaps more cautiously.

    On “who’s next?” I think a Rebecca era Easter outfit would be charming, or Saige might be nice dressed as Anne of Green Gables. At the end of AoGG, Anne is 16. The book was published in 1908, which would give you an approximate date, but only approximate because the next book was published in 1909 and covers Anne’s life from 16-18. Alternately you might consider Saige in a Victorian dress, because Saige needs a chance to model and the Civil War era outfits are always in demand. It will be fun to see what other people choose today.

    1. HI Marilyn,
      I explained to Susette how the chandelier earrings most likely showed up in the chandelier category… If I just typed in Winnie the Pooh, I’d get everything under the sun for Winnie, so I’d have to sort the items out by using the menu at the left hand side.

      It has been quite a while since I did a 1900’s dress… a long time in fact.
      Thanks for your thoughts Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. ELLOWYNE!!!! Hehe… by the way I have read where people will put the product right back into the category that it was taken out of.. and they never said anything to them and continue doing it the same way as they always have.
    Hugs, Kath

    1. HI Kath,
      I’ve heard the same thing too about putting the item back where you had it originally and it never gets noticed… but I’ve also read where you can be suspended on your 2nd violation, so I certainly don’t want to rock any boats…
      I’ve got you down for Ellowyne as well… that’s 2 for her!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. I really like the cabinet back in the bluer tone. So glad it isn’t going to the garage. Will be interesting to see what happens to the brass fixture. Staying brass or painting? The little shelf looks so sweet with the pets. Will be a great prop. As to the dollies, any in an Easter outfit. Although a St. Paddy’s Day outfit would be fun too. However, a bit too late I guess.

    1. Hi Jan,
      I like the cabinet where more of the blue is showing through too. My hubby gave his approval of it today…so I’m good on this project!
      I turned the light fixture into more of an antique brass color but painting it with black chalk paint and then wiping it off… Some like bright shiny brass…me and my hubby not so much… if they don’t like it this way, I’ll just polish it up as it’s hanging in the Sunday School house.
      So you’d just pick any doll as long as she has a pretty Easter outfit… yours might be the swing vote!
      Thanks Joy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Jeanne, goodness, I’m late again! I actually did read your blog early this morning, but when you ask for us to pick out things, I really can’t make up my mind that early!! So I now think Rebecca should get a pretty spring-Easter outfit, kind of from the turn of the century, with a dropped waistline.

    Oh, now I see that the softer look of the rubbings make the cabinet looks much better! I see now what you meant by it being kind of spotty. Hope we get to see it all filled up with whatever you put in there! Easter things would look so pretty in it!

    Wow, that chandelier is really a beautiful piece! Can’t believe the price either!! And that little shelf is so cute now, with all the little animals on it.

    1. Hi Linda,
      Rebecca’s eyes are lighting up as 2 people have picked her so far to have a new dress made to model. I guess we’ll see…
      Yes, the cabinet is much softer looking now and more evenly glazed… but it’s probably just going to have books in it. We have too many books and they would look sort of pretty in this new blue bookshelf. I’d love to put all my cookbooks in it… but the shelves wouldn’t hold some of my bigger books.
      The light fixure is done and my hubby will take it in tomorrow and see if everyone else likes it… I’ll see if I can’t get him to put the glass globes back on it before he takes it in…
      Thanks so much Linda,
      Ten Ping thinks it’s her turn again since I finished her cabinet… and Patsy wants a do over on her listing because she wants to show off the animals on the shelf… I told them there would be plenty of time for more…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. HI Jeanne,

    I love the two outfits I have bought, one for Kit and one for Joesfina, however I do not have these dolls yet, I would love an outfit for Molly, Kirsten, Kaya, or Samantha, an Easter dress for “Rebecca would be wonderful for Samantha!! thanks so much!!

    1. Thanks Robin,
      Now Rebecca’s eyes are big as saucers seeing that you picked her too!
      Maybe some day you’ll get all the dolls you want… and Kit’s outfit can be on Kit and Josefina’s outfit can be on Josefina… how fun would that be?
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. Ingrid Banach

    Hello Jeanne,
    I’m Ingrid from New York and new to your Blog, I’ve read several of your posts and I’m a huge fan already. I too am Christian love crafts and cooking. I love starting a project but unlike you I’m not so good at finishing said project. I have many unfinished quilts that will attest to that. Anywho I originally saw something of yours pinned on Pinterest which lead me to your Etsy Store and from there I read you had a blog and an Ebay Store too. Sounds a little stalkerish right LOL. Not really I just loved your handy work and knew I needed something of yours for my new Patsy doll. I really enjoy looking at your before and after pics and also all of the beautiful outfits you have made, thanks so much for sharing and also for inspiring me to get those unfinished projects wrapped up!
    Oh I vote for a flowery Easter dress with a basket of colorful eggs and an Easter bonnet of course!

    1. Hello Ingrid and welcome to my little world. I’m glad you are enjoying yourself and hope you’ll enjoy the interaction with the ladies who comment often. We have a really good time sharing ideas and thoughts and information about dolls and other things.
      A few of the ladies here have been inspired to start sewing again and hopefully you’ll feel the urge to get some of those quilts finished that you’ve started. It sounds like you like crafts as much as I do… we’ll get along just fine!
      Thanks so much for jumping right in and introducing yourself.
      I have you down for a pretty floral Easter dress and it had to have a bonnet!
      Thank you Ingrid,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. It’s been a GORGEOUS day here, almost 73 degrees and I’ve spent most of it outside..
    The cabinet looks much better now that there are different pictures to compare.
    IMO I think Felicity, Rebecca in a Civil War or 1900’s dress dress should be next. I agree with Robin, if you want to branch out you could use Rebecca to model a Victorian?Edwardian dress. After all, Easter was a BIG deal for Children at that point in time what with the Easter egg rolls on the White House lawn etc.

    1. Thank you Laura,
      It sounds wonderful where you were today…wow…73. We had a nice day, but not that nice!

      Now Rebecca is jumping up and down on the dolly shelf and no one else can figure out why!
      I’m think Rebecca and a turn of the century dress might be coming up next!
      Thanks for your thoughts Laura,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  12. HI,
    I didn’t read the comments …so I don’t know who chose what for the next dress but I’m feeling modern today so maybe a new Modern Easter Dress for the American Girl dolls?
    Now I’ll go see how others voted :0)
    The blue cabinet is wonderful…I like the changes you made.

    1. Hi Kathie,
      Lily likes you… she’s my modern girl! It’s been ages since she got to show off anything.
      Thanks for the compliments on the cabinet. It fits in with our stuff now… and has been saved from an untimely death!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  13. After reading the posts, I think that you can lay the larger cook books on the side and fit them all in the cabinet. Cookbooks would be a wonderful addition to the cabinet along with a few antique cooking utensils/pieces. I have my vintage kitchen stuff on a high shelf across the top of cabinets. Including my grandmothers cake box, sifter, and a lot of other stuff. Fun memories.

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