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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Vintage Overnight Case Turned Doll Trunk

My grandtwins, Aubrey and Chloe, have a birthday coming up.  Because I always make them something, I decided to use the overnight case (the third of my, maybe a little too ambitious, 10 projects in 3 weeks) to make them a trunk for a 1970's doll I found and for the doll clothes I made the poor little naked thing.










I'll have to find second suitcase.  I predict a cat-fight over this one.  I'll be ready with my video camera, though, just in case they stage a Youtube worthy brawl that'll make us all instant millionaires.  

Before they were infamous...


The doll and trunk were the perfect size for each other.  I love it when that happens.  A good bath was all the baby needed but the suitcase was a very different story.  



The outside of the case was in almost perfect condition and just needed a good cleaning and some furniture polish to liven it up.  It turned out awesome...


But, the inside was just plain nasty. I ripped the guts out  and re-lined it with a really cute vintage-y looking fabric.






This was a little tricky.  Not hard, really, just tedious.  Poster board was cut to fit then covered with the fabric using spray adhesive and white glue.  




The fabric was stitched to the poster board to help it stay put.



I added a little pocket for storage, the ties to hold the baby in place and a bar for hanging doll clothes. 
     



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50 comments:

  1. love the doll/case makeover, absolutely adorable. the little doll clothes are especially sweet.

    xo
    ~molly

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  2. That is the sweetest doll case I've ever seen ~ just wonderful ;-)

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  3. I love this idea! I am going to send the link to my mom (who is dying to be a grandma) she'll love it too I'm sure!
    --Leigh

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  4. Wow, Lindy, you did a fabulous job with that little case! What a great idea, too! Your grandtwins will love it, but I think you're right. You're probably going to have to find a second one! : ) Love the little clothes and hangers, too.

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  5. What a great make over and the clothes are terrific!
    Hugs, Amy

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  6. Lindy, this is adorable. I know you're gonna have to make another one...and quick! How did you make the hangers?

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  7. @Chris

    Hi Chris,
    I used two layers of heavy poster board with scrap book paper on the front and back, all put together with Mod Podge. I'm planning a future post on them and the clothes and will include the patterns.

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  8. Those are some very lucky little girls!! :0) that came out so cute, what a great idea and I LOVE the clothes!

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  9. I love this,, you know most people would look at that suitcase and just pass it by but I love that you have the imagination to transform it to something unique,,lovely

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  10. Wow! What a wonderful gift. I just love the suitcase.

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  11. Very cute. I remember getting a little doll in a suitcase from my grandmother when I was a little girl. They are going to be thrilled!

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  12. That is a really cute transformation - and a great idea too. I bet this will be a HUGE hit - and obviously you are going to have to make another little trunk too.
    - Joy

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  13. What a super cute idea! Yep, I'm afraid you will have to be locating another suitcase to avoid the cat-fight!lol

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  14. How utterly adorable! You have to find another one. That is so precious and what a labor of love for your grandbabies. Cute, clever, and sweet - my kind of project.

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  15. That is adorable!! I love this idea. Your grandbabies are going to love this.
    Jane

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  16. That is adorable! I want to play with it! Can't wait til you show the doll clothes how-to!

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  17. How wonderful! That is a beautiful suitcase - you certainly saved it. :) I hope you find another.

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  18. This is seriously cute! I bet there was a fight!!

    Carol

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  19. Lindy, that is so cute and your cute grand twins are so lucky to have such a crafty and creative grandmother.

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  20. Lindy-ALL three of those dolls are cute-especially the two lively ones! Great job on the little suitcase. It turned out beautifully. Hugs- Diana

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  21. Hello Lindy! I super love this post! Everything is a piece of cuteness. What's more beautiful about this post is that the art was made from the heart. Such is priceless!

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  22. Oh, Girl! You are definitely going to have to find another- I woulda fought tooth and nail for that at their age. Epic Battles! Great job, it is too too precious.

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  23. circa 1954 I had a doll named Francis who had a wardrobe trunk which housed all her clothes which matched my clothes. I loved that my Mom made my doll clothes to match the clothes she made for me. Maybe some day I will have a grandaughter to spoil...*sigh*

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  24. Great job and thanks for sharing your instructions!!
    I know they will love it!

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  25. Yup...I can see it now...full blown drag out brawl!! LOL You did an awesome job...it's just too cute. And if their anything like my granddaughter...that baby will be naked again lickity split!!

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  26. what a great idea! it fits perfectly. LOVE this.

    I'm your new follower!
    kathryn @
    thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com

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  27. Now, how cute is that! Adorable, just adorable!

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  28. How sweet!

    I remember my great grandmother making clothes for dolls. It is a memory that I cherish!

    Benita

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  29. Oh Lindy, what a clever idea...I love it! And I can assure you that those two cutie patootie twins will absolutely love it too. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ♥Ana

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  30. Lindy, how cute! I have a suitcase just like this. If I didn't have a house-full of boys, I'd be all over it!!

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  31. What a darling idea and sweet thought Lindy! It's adorable and perfect for your sweet grandtwins~ thanks for sharing at FNF :)

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  32. Oh that is so darling. I have two vintage cases like yours and I am thinking it might make a cute Christmas gift for my granddaughter.

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  33. That is so cute. I am always running across suitcases with yucky interiors. I never thought to just yank it out. It turned out adorable and I bet the girls will love it!

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  34. I love this! I have my grandmother's old suitcase. It's gorgeous on the outside... perhaps I now have a new use for it! :)

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  35. Amazing! Wish I had a little girl to make one for!

    Would love for you to share at Calling All Crafters!
    http://allthingsfee.blogspot.com/2011/05/calling-all-crafters-5th-edition.html

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  36. Hey Lindy,, this is so dang cute. You are so creative. I will be a grandmother for the first time in Sept and then again in January. Im so excited and cant wait to make things like this for them. Thanks for sharing.

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  37. Adorable and clever, they are going to love it. You did a beautiful job with this project. Thanks for sharing. I think I will try to make one for my little grandgirls. Hugs, Karie

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  38. Amazing! What a creative idea. I would love to do this for my lil girl one day. I'm now following you. Would love it if you got a chance to check out my blog!

    krazycraftylady.blogspot.com

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  39. That is such a cute idea! Now all I need is for someone to pop out a little girl, so that I can make it for them! or maybe make a little fold out city with cars for boys ;)

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  40. This is so creative! Love it!

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  41. This gives me ideas...maybe use a larger suitcase for American Girl Dolls and their clothes. It would be a great way to keep the dolls and their clothes/accessories all together. Thanks!

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  42. Lindy, What a good grandmother you are! The twins are just adorable and I know they will love this gift. The doll case is wonderful and the clothes are so cute. Thanks for joining my party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  43. Wow! This is so fun! I love the transformation. I'm sure those girls are going to love it.

    justenoughstyle@gmail.com

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  44. That is pure genius! I'll bet they loved it!

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