G45 Altered Baby Dresser

Yesterday I told you about my daughters baby shower.
Today I will show you an altered pine dresser that I made for her. 
(sorry but this posting is photo and detail heavy - so go pour yourself a cuppa coffee or tea and relax).

I never thought to take before photos but it was your basic unfinished pine mini dresser bought from Michaels. I got a great deal on it because one of the little wooden knobs was missing off a drawer and another drawer had a little chip in it. It made  no difference to me as I was planning on sanding and covering it and replacing the knobs anyways. But I didn't tell them that! I asked the saleslady if they had any more in stock or was it the only one? She checked then said no but new ones were coming in 2 days and could I come back? Well, I seldom use my disability as an excuse but this time I did. I explained that with my disability and being confined to a wheelchair I did not drive and would need to find someone to drive me (just a little white lie - it's true that I do not drive but my hubby would've drove me albeit he would not have been happy about it). So I said that I would rather just buy that one if I could get a discount. She left to go check with her manager and came back to say I could have it for 70% off!! WOW - Sold!!

So after pounding off the other knobs as well as the little ones for the feet, I sanded it and covered it in 2 coats of gesso. This is kind of like a primer and sealer in one and makes the paint go on smoother. I used Light Buttermilk acrylic craft paint from Americana.

Next I chose my papers from Graphic 45 Little Darlings collection. With it being for a little boy I chose blue polka-dot papers and designs.

First off I did the inside drawers. I kept them simple by painting then just adding paper to the bottom of each drawer.

Oh - I should mention that I cut all papers to fit first and inked the edges of each with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink including all fussy cutting. Also I took the G45 antique metal brads and antique metal door plate and painted them with the buttermilk paint as I thought the dark metal was too harsh. When they were partly dry I used a wet wipe to rub off the paint from the raised area exposing the metal and giving them a distressed look.

Next I adhered the paper to the drawer fronts, cut off the little metal tong thingys on the brads and adhered them to the front (you could use antique buttons instead). Next I added a strip of ivory colour brocade to the bottom of each drawer.

With the front done I next did the back. After covering in paper I added a strip of  ivory paper to the bottom that I edgepunched with my Martha Stewart lace punch and again inked it. I then checked to see how high the little girls reach was and adhered an inked paper doily to the right  height. In the centre I adhered a small circle of patterned paper and an 'Adorable' sticker. I next added the little fussy cut girl to make it appear as if she was writing the word. To finish it off I added some little Prima butterflies.

 

 

Next were the sides.
I started with the left side. After covering it in paper I decided to keep this side fairly simple by adding the G45 doorplate, a big bow and Prima flowers, beads and butterflies.

 

 

Now on to the right side.
Here I fussy cut a little boy blowing his horn to waken his family.

 

Again I kept it simple by adding Prima flowers and leaves,  some fussy cut flowers from the paper and some more butterflies.

 

 

 

Now with the dresser done it was time to cover the top and add some pictures and trinkets.
I covered the top with  the same polka-dot paper as the drawers but rather than go to the edge I decided to punch a lace edge to go around it to look like a cloth on top.

Every dresser needs a photo on top! So I covered a small box with paper then cut the lid off and adhered it inside to give the appearance of a shadow type box. On the outside I adhered a frame from the paper line  and a pic of a sleeping baby to the inside.

 

On the bottom I added more Prima flowers and leaves and a chipboard button tied with ribbon.

Next I joined a few chipboard tags together with a metal fastener then tied it with ribbon and a 'savorski' crystal baby soother.

 

 

Lastly was a little bottle of 'pixie dust'. I filled a Tim Holtz apothecary bottle with irridescent glitter and glued the cork tightly in place. I added a little circle sticker to the front and a small gingham ribbon and bow.

 

So that's it!
I loved making this altered dresser for my little grandson-to-be.
I hope that he`ll keep his little momentoes in it such as hospital bracelet, first tooth or whatever but for now there is little mittens and socks tucked inside the drawers to keep his little hands and feet toasty warm.

Now if I could only find some mittens and socks for myself with this weather turning cold so quickly!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!