Handmade Gifts: Zoe's Dress-Up Suitcase Tutorial

We made a lot of handmade gifts for Christmas this year. And in the crazy whirlwind that was December, I didn't have time to share much. So, I'm going to try to put up some pictures of some things....when (or if!) I get the chance. No promises.  

But we did have a lot of fun making things for each other. I love how excited the kids get to make each other gifts. There was a lot of sneaking around and whispering in corners as we planned and made all sorts of things. And the anticipation? Oh my! It's the best. The kids couldn't wait to see each other open their handmade gifts.  

I wish I could have caught every look of surprise and happiness as the kids squealed over the surprises they'd concocted for each other. Priceless.  

I made a gift for each child and even something fun for my handsome cowboy. I already shared Molly's Monkey.  Today I'm showing off the fun dress up suitcase I made for Zoe....

I bought a suitcase in almost mint condition from DI. I don't think the previous owner traveled too much.

I thought about covering it with fabric, but then I checked out my friend Sundi's doll suitcases she'd done and decided to go that route instead. I decoupaged the suitcase while watching Dr. Who late at night (I will blame the puckery bits of paper on the wee hours of the night). 

Then I filled the suitcase with loads of dress up clothes I made from random bits of fabric kicking around the basement or from thrifted clothes, a halloween fairy costume my picked up one year for half off and beautiful purse my mom bought Zoe when she was two. She snagged it for her after I eyed it in the Las Vegas airport. But at the time, Zoe was so small and I worried she'd pick apart the beading. As I was planning this gift, I stumbled across it in my present stash.  Perfect addition, right? 

I threw in a felt crown which was super easy to make (seriously....felt and elastic....so easy!) and some dollar store slippers which I added some Fancy Nancy-ish bows to. 

I also added a bunch of old costume jewelry of mine into a little zippered pouch in the suitcase. 

Alright, that is the coolest and easiest vest ever. I'd have to dig around for the tutorial link...let me know if you're interest. It's that idea that's floating around Pinterest where you just make two cuts in a rectangle and Voila! instant vest. I translated it into little girl size. I was worried it wouldn't fit her so I even tried it on her late at night while she was sleeping....and she didn't even wake up! 

Some of those are dress-up clothes Zoe already had. In fact, she really needed this case. Her previous spot for them was an old tote bag of mine. Yep, she needed something a bit classier. And this did the trick. It was a huge hit with my wee chickadee. She loved it! And she's had a marvelous time donning the many different ensembles.

For My Molly Monkey

I am running out of time to get all the projects done and the ribbons tied and the last few things bought! But at least I got this adorable bit of cute all done....

I can't wait to give her to my little Molly Monkey. Don't you just love those shoes?! 

I love this pattern. This was seriously one of the easiest stuffies I've made. To make your own, check out the tutorial and pattern at MmmCrafts. And that is one smart chickadee over there. After making this monkey, I want to buy some of her patterns and whip out some more (check out her cute Little Red Ridinghood....so stinkin' cute.)

Fluffy Ruffly Pettiskirt

Pink and ruffly and twirly and So. Much. Fun. Yep, that describes this skirt perfectly.

I made this skirt for Zoe about a year and half ago.....

  

Oh! Look at her. She's so small! I found the tutorial for this fabulous fluffy skirt at Made by Bronwyn. And while it did take a fair amount of time ruffly all that wonderful chiffon fabric, it was pretty easy. And so worth it.

Wouldn't this make such a fun Christmas gift for a little girly girl?

It's so cute watching Zoe wear this skirt.

She can't help swishing around as she walks.

And, of course, it's great for twirling.

I had to include this last shot.

Do you think this pose will catch on with other models?

Upcycled Tea Tray Tutorial

Oh, how my wee Zoe loves her tea set. We have countless tea parties where we pretend to sip cup after cup of hot cocoa.

And when her tea set is all set up on her pink table, she even manages to convince her older brothers to stop for a spell and have a cup of hot cocoa with her.

So, when I came across this tray I knew it was destined to become part of our tea party fun.



First we roughed it up a bit with some sand paper. Then we painted the side pieces of the tray.   I let Zoe pick the color. Of course, she chose...

Pink. This girl would live in a Pink World if she could manage it.

Since we were planning on covering up the bland paper in the bottom, it didn't matter if Zoe wasn't the most accurate painter. It would be much much easier to use spray paint on this project (for some of the reasons why spray paint is totally awesome, check out this fun post by my friend Sundi) but I opted for just the regular ol' acrylic craft paint. Because #1: It let Zoe be involved and #2: I didn't have any hot pink spray paint on hand. We used that all up on her little tea table.

I had some fun scrapbook paper for the tray down in my Pit of Despair (otherwise known as my sewing room/office) so I measured the tray, cut the paper to size and we spread some Modge Podge on the bottom of the tray and slapped it down, spreading it out all nice and neat. 

But the tray is wider than twelve inches, so we also had to add a border of a coordinating paper. Then we covered it all with another layer of modge podge. 

Then I lightly sanded the corners and edges of the tray, roughing it up a bit. Ryan sealed it with a clear coat spray (which I could have done myself, but he's just nice like that) and after it dried it was ready to play with!

You can't see her sparkley cape so good in this picture. 

She is also sporting a very nice cat mask. Yep, not just everyone gets to have a tea party with Super Kitty Cat and her doll, Pinky. :)