From Changing Table... to Ice Cream Parlor!

My "Round 2" project for American Crafter was inspired by my little girl and her love of ice cream {she takes after her mama.} Back to that in a second.

I have had this on my to-do list for quite a while....

With my American Crafter project in mind, {and an actual deadline} I finally checked it off the list :)

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I'm not gonna lie, this project was a lot of work... but isn't this cute face worth it???

She loves her new "ice cream parlor" and all the goodies that go with it. {Don't mind the crazy hair... I know she needs a hair cut. But since she is my first girl--and she has so little hair already--I'm nervous to do it!}

So, what do you think of Anna's Ice Cream Parlor?

I have a lot of different projects going on here :) So, today I am going to show you how I transformed her plain-jane changing table, and created a fabric panel that can fold up into an awning. Here's the basic overview:

The weather was gorgeous on Monday, so I took full advantage and spray painted this baby! I used Rustoleum Heirloom White, and then dry brushed a little Pure White chalk paint on to give it some texture and a hand-painted look. Next, I added my new vinyl shelf paper {I scored 2 rolls of this for $5.99 at TJ Maxx!} I think it totally makes the new look. To add "walls" to the back of the ice cream parlor, I created two panels out of white foam board {dollar store} and covered them with fabric. Yay hot glue! The final step was sewing the fabric panel that will hang from the front of the changing table. This is where things got a little harder, and coincidentally there aren't any pictures...

Before we go any further, I just have to say that sewing is NOT my best skill, {in fact I just learned to use my machine last year.} For me, sewing = experimenting, and therefore you will probably never get a sewing tutorial with pictures from me.  I am sure for most of you this panel would be a piece of cake. Here is what I did.

I wanted the panel to be double-sided so I cut my pieces of striped fabric to length, then cut my scalloped border in the pink fabric. I sewed that part first, then turned it right sides out and added a top stitch around the scallops. {This was my first time sewing something other than a straight line!} Then I pinned the scalloped piece inside the two striped pieces and sewed them together. I continued to sew all sides of the panel, leaving an opening to turn it right side out. {I ironed A LOT during this whole process too.}

Now, it was time to add the dowel to the top of the pink scallop border (this will help create the awning shape later). I created a small dowel pocket, then sewed up the rest of the sides of the border. The last step was to create two small pole pockets and sew them inside the seam {on the back of the panel} where the striped and pink fabrics meet. These will hold your awning poles in place.

I think I spent $2 total at Home Depot for my pvc pipe (1/2") and two caps for the bottoms of the poles. A nice employee even cut them to the length I needed :) I covered them in the striped fabric and I love how it looks!

Once the fabric panel was done, I attached it to the changing table with some home decor velcro {one strip is super sticky, and the other strip is sewable.} I ended up using fabric glue to attach it to the top of the panel because I was sick of my sewing machine didn't want more stitching showing on the front. I also used velcro to attach the foam "walls" to the back of the changing table. Worked like a charm!

Now came the tricky part... how was I going to get the panel to fold up halfway and attach to the top to create the right length for the awning? After a few failed attempts {snaps... ribbon...} I decided to try this:

The pink and white twine looks cute, and it's functional! whoo-hoo! I added really small nails up at the top of the table {on the back} so the twine loops would have something to hook on to. It is really easy to adjust and the height is perfect for the awning now.

Just stick your poles in the pockets {cut side of pvc pipe} and then the capped end should touch the floor. The poles will lean back towards the table and stay in place nicely under the bottom shelf. Here's what it looks like from the side:

I added an ice cream banner across the front of the awning and tied it to the poles. That's it! Now we're ready to set up shop :) Here are some of the accessories I had fun making:

For the ice cream scoops, I found the cutest idea here! Adrienne used a ping pong ball to wrap the felt around, giving it the perfect scoop shape. I followed her pattern for the ice cream cones, but added the stitching on the felt to make them look like real sugar cones. Mint choclate chip is my favorite flavor, so I had to have it!

I glued some mini pom poms on the tops of some of the scoops to make "sprinkles". Then I put the rest of them in a salt shaker... it is one of my daughter's favorite things to play with!

The menu was made from chalkboard vinyl and a picture frame. I had so much fun accessoring the shop... paper straws, mini wooden "tasting" spoons, and kid-size malt glasses were a few of my favorite finds. I also painted the 5x7 canvases hanging on the wall. I used a chalk marker to draw out my designs then added a few pops of color.

I think my favorite part is the "pick up" window :) I had this crown molding shelf sitting around that was the perfect size...

I'll take a scoop of chocolate to go please!

I hope this inspires you to take something that is just wasting space, and turn it into a creative play space for your little ones!

Have a great weekend,

Linking to: Dwell on Joy