My Sister's Suitcase - Packed with Creativity

Packed with Creativity

From Changing Table… to Ice Cream Parlor!

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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 🙂

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 5×7 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
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Comments

  1. WOW!!! That is AWESOME! My daughter would love this!!! All of the projects are amazing, but yours is my favorite! So much work, doesn’t it make you feel like if you make it next week, what in the world could you do to top it??? That’s kinda how I’m feeling! Great Job!

    Reply

  3. Amazing project! I just voted for you. Found you on TT&J and am totally pinning this. You added so many darling details with the canvas art, felt food and serving shelf. I love how you re-purposed the changing table and made the awning. My little girl would have loved this when she was smaller. Now we turned our kitchen into a Soda Shoppe/Diner. We had a 50’s sock-hop party for her this past year. And I just made an awning for the long window. You can see parts of our diner in this post: http://www.obseussed.com/2011/04/girls-sock-hop-50s-birthday-party.html

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  4. Oh my goodness. Shut up, Holly! This is amazing!! I want one for ME to play with!! And, of course, I love all your creative, extra touches. That awning?? SO cute!! Man, you sure do make it tough to win this thing! 😉

    Reply

  5. So cute! We waited to get our daughter’s hair cut until she was 2 1/2, so she could have it done at Disneyworld. She got her own first haircut ears and a special certificate!!!! I can relate!

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  17. This is one of the most amazing transformations that I have seen in a long, long time. Not to mention adorable! Your daughter must love playing with it. It is so fun and whimsical with SO much attention to detail. All of the felt accessories are darling.

    I have a feeling you’re hearing the same superlatives from everyone who comments because this really is just so stinkin’ cute!

    I hope you rock American Crafter!

    Claire @ alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com

    Reply

  21. OH my gosh, this is SO cute! Coming over from the Easter Egg Hunt, where I am also participating! So fun to see your egg match up! Pinning both and a new follower 🙂

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  26. Oh my goodness! This is amazing! The work that must have gone into all the details just blows me away. Thanks for sharing this! It is such a creative way to repurpose something that no long had a good use. Your little cutie is one lucky girl!

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  33. Stopping by from Jillify It! This is the CUTEST play center EVER!!! Your daughter looks thrilled– and I would be too, if that showed up in my (daughter’s) room ; )

    Great job!

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  43. This is so adorable 🙂 I have all boys and you could so change the color scheme to appeal to boys. I would love it if you could come and share at Toot Your Horn Tuesdays link party going on right now at Debbie Does Creations 🙂

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  45. I wanted to just say that besides how adorable this is you have really created an awesome dramatic play piece for your daughter. I know I have been on here before commenting about your creations and how absolutely appropriate they are for children but seriously you girls are good. Not only do you make things that are so appealing to look at but they are also child friendly, age appropriate and incorporate so many elements that will help you daughter learn through play throughout her early development. Really awesome job! Keep up the good work. Lesley

    Reply

    • Lesley, thank you for leaving such a sweet and thoughtful comment! I wish I could reply to you with an email, but there is not one listed on your profile… If you do by chance read this, I just wanted to say thank you for always making the nicest comments and letting us know you enjoy our blog! I love watching my daughter play with her new ice cream parlor… it makes all the long nights and hot glue gun burns worth it 🙂

      Reply

  48. I don’t know that I have been this impressed in a LONG time! Seriously! AMAZING! I am in love with the idea, the execution of it, and the DETAILS! WOW! I wish I could pick your brain for ideas for my kiddos!!! Seriously, you are extremely talented!
    :0)
    ~robin

    Reply

  52. This is beautiful!!!!! I can imagine doing something similar but keeping the overall designs on the table simple so I can change out the decorations to go with a theme. I can see it becoming a little flower stand in spring or a fruit/vegetable stand.

    Reply

  55. I seriously can’t handle how cute this is. I would have LOVED to have this as a little girl! I am so sad that I’ve sold or donated TWO of those exact changing tables =( My girls are older now, but I’m wondering what I could make for my little boy now. You are so clever! Great job!!!

    Reply

  60. Holly, that is ADORABLE! What a fun idea and great play space for little Anna!!! 🙂 Love that you guys are blogging sisters! My sister and I blog together over at our place too! Stopping by from CSI by the way!

    Reply

  64. Holly,
    Just a courtesy note to let you know I have pinned your “Ice cream palour” post to a pinterest board with a collection of learning resources to support learning through playing ice cream shops. You will find lesson ideas, learning activities and resources on my boards. You can view my boards at http://pinterest.com/fingerpprojects/
    Warm Regards
    Trudy

    Reply

  65. Just found your site and everything is adorable! Can you tell me what you used to make the containers for the ice cream containers? And how you made the ice cream sandwiches?

    Thank you!!

    Reply

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