The Nursery Diaries :: Chapter 7

In case you missed Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, and Chapter 6.

This is the chapter on ART.

Back in March I decided what would grace the wall behind (over) the crib... shadowbox frames filled with vintage Barbie outfits.  A collection.  So I started my search with Ebay and Etsy.  Took the plunge on a couple of outfits... this being the first purchase, a 1970s Barbie outfit:

 

That teeny tiny outfit cost me $50.  The second outfit also cost me $50.  Who was I kidding!? I learned very quickly that vintage Barbie clothes are EXPENSIVE.  I was burning up my budget waaaay too quickly.  So one night in a first trimester fog I started brainstorming (not easy for a tired pregnant girl)... I kept asking myself "how can I get this look for less?"  

So... I googled: "Barbie Paper Dolls"

And what did I find...

  

A set on Etsy.  1962 Barbie & Ken Paper Doll Set.  I threw 'em in my cart and checked out faster than lightening. 

What did I do next?  I emailed my Decoupage Guru Annmarie (Boston client-turned-friend, whose kitchen renovation I have yet to show you - sorry) to see what we could trade for her to decoupage these Barbie Paper Dolls to plates for me.  

Do you know how difficult decoupage is?  It is extremely time consuming and difficult.  Glue, bubbles, tiny detail work.  It is not for the impatient... and I fall into the "impatient" category.  But, before I asked Annmarie if she wanted to trade I asked her for tips - as I was going to try it myself, despite the anxiety I knew it would bring on me and my unborn child.  I'm rather crafty, I figured I could figure it out.  Her response was "you will shoot yourself trying to do it yourself, let me do it for you" (or something to that affect).  With all that is on my plate (and has been on my plate) - no pun intended, I agreed... better to leave the decoupage to the Master.  

The colors in the set of paper dolls worked perfectly with those in the nursery.  I sent her the paper doll set and told her to pick her favorite 12 outfits and I'd order some plate shapes so we could decide what works best.  Even though Annmarie lives in Boston and I live in Florida... not a week has passed over the past 9 months that we haven't discussed the plates.  

We ultimately decided on oval 7" x 10" oval plates.  When I went to Boston Annmarie had a prototype complete... here she is in her home office with plate #1:

 

See daughter Lucy's expression?  Lucy is 1/4 of the reason (Annmarie has 4 kids 5 years old and under)why I feel so humbled/honored that Annmarie is taking time to make these for me.  They are seriously going to be my favorite thing the nursery! 

And just because my husband LOVES to play the "will you hold this up for me" game... here's he is getting in on the action... just so I can give it the ole eagle-eye.

We may have decided to change the background from ivory vintage grasscloth to a burlap... but you'll just have to wait and see the finished product later!  

Other art in the room...

On the wall behind the rocking chair... I wanted a more grown-up art piece.  Selfish perhaps, but I looked it as an opportunity for a piece that Momma could keep forever and move around the house later if need be.  About a year ago I was helping a friend/neighbor with her home, when one day I showed up and saw an amazing painting.  When I inquired about it she said 'my friend Amanda Talley did it'.  So I googled 'Amanda Talley' and kept seeing more of her work pop up around the blogosphere.

I couldn't get it out of my mind.  I knew I couldn't afford an oil painting.  But everywhere I turned I was being teased by more Amanda Talley.  [she blogs too]

  

One day I got brave and emailed Amanda.  I unabashedly praised her work and asked if she had any options for a girl on a budget.  I figured if she came back with some greeting cards or something it wasn't meant to be... but she didn't.  She does drawings too.  And they are in my budget.  So I ordered a drawing.  

 

Can you tell I'm excited about it?  I went this weekend to get a mat cut for it... and found out it is oversized, would have to be special ordered, and might take weeks... just my luck.  I don't have weeks.  So Chance and I spent Saturday morning making our own mat.  I had some leftover grasscloth from my pantry project... and we went to Home Depot for some fiberboard.  My very exact precise engineer husband cut the 45-degree angles and I'm happier than I would have been had we gone with a plain ole mat board.

 

 

I ordered the frame from PictureFrames.com... but you'll have to wait to see the final results!

TGIF!!

PS- the PaperDoll set came from Etsy seller Kitschlandia! 

Comments

[Jennifer]

LOVE the paper dolls, that is such a great idea. I used to have some when I was a kid ... wonder if mom kept them ...

good for ya'll for making your own mats! I've got a roll of grasscloth that I've been wanting to use to cover a mat, but I wonder if this might work better ...

can't wait to see the room!

[jessica]

Erika! Everything is looking just fabulous! You are killing me with the plates. I can't wait to see the finished product. You are getting so close to meeting that tiny bundle. I wish you all the best. Thanks for including us in your baby adventure!!

[Cousin]

You're a busy momma! Can't wait to see it all come together! Are you getting anxious about the bambino?? I know I am!! Love you!!
XOXO

[Hillary @ The Other Mama]

I am in love with the dolls on the plates! So ingenius!!! You look great!

[Rachel Ridd]

The plates are amazing! What a creative idea...I love it.

I found this "barbie dress on a clothesline" art on etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26435807

I enjoyed them & thought maybe you would too!

[LindsB]

The paperdolls on plates is such a great idea! They are going to be so cute hung up in her room.

I cant wait to see more!!

[Steele]

This is going to be the most fabulous nursery ever!!!

[Natalie]

Is it sad that I want this fabulous nursery for myself to sleep in?! I love everything you have done!!!

[Sarah @ realestatestyle]

I can't wait to see all the final results! Now I want to learn to decoupage (sp)!

[amy]

I literally just commissioned a (small) painting from Amanda this week! Mine is going in our bedroom. How amazing that you're putting one of her pieces in the nursery! I never would have thought of that...but that's why you're the designer!!

[Lynett]

Tease! Your ideas are all amazing! I'm itching to see the finished product! It's going to be fabulous!

[Mag]

So clever, gotta say would have never thought of using the paper doll clothes on plates. Love it. And the colors are so much better than the real clothes would have been.

[Bickies]

Oh my goodness...I am on the edge of my seat. Can't wait to see it all finished! You have fabulous and very fun ideas. Grea tjob!

[MaryBeth]

Oh you witch, I wanted to see the room with everything in it :)
I think the plate idea is wonderful and maybe Annmarie can give us a tutorial on how to do it.
Can't wait to see it all and take care, xo, MB

[grace]

genius! i want a baby girl now:) your ideas are always inspiring. thanks for sharing your creativity!

[Annmarie]

Annmarie is getting cracking! And she is horrified about that office backdrop.

[alison g. (brazil)]

It just keeps gettin' better! Amanda's work is amazing!

[LB]

Love it - such creative ideas.

Okay, where are your tanks from? I have burned through my all summer and some of them need a round 2. I'm betting Old Navy - am I right? :)

[Lizzie]

I love that you are using the paper doll set! I wish I had kept some of my sets, I loved playing with paper dolls.

[Lauren Liess]

such a great idea!!!!! and your baby bump is just too perfect!!!
xoxo

[Dianne]

Now along with the finished nursery I want to see Annmarie's finished kitchen!
Your baby bump is adorable.

[Mrs. Blandings]

I am loving all of this nesting - can't wait to see the result - and the resident!

[Jessica]

I love it all!! Can't wait to see the finished product :)

[jennifer little]

Too much suspense!

[Darby]

You Rock and so does your art!!! I love you!

[Ashley]

I always told myself that if I had a girl I would somehow incorporate the paperdoll outfits that I played with at my grandmother's house when I was little. If you are in need of another vintage Barbie outfit I might be able to trade/give you one. I can't wait to see the entire room!!!

[kelley pierce]

i too love amanda's work and have emailed her about budget friendly work as well. she is so kind. so jealous that you have actually purchased her art. that is on my next "to do" when money becomes available. i can't wait to see the end results.

[Jacci]

Dang - so you think, "Barbie clothes" and then you switch gears to "paper Barbie clothes" and then your mind just sort of naturally goes to "decoupage plates". Killer. That, my dear, is why *you* are the designer and why people like *me* just copy designer's ideas ;)

Unbelievable. I'm seriously impressed with all of this. And I love how you have us all in suspense now. Wondering about those plates is highly entertaining :)

Jacci

[Elizabeth]

i actually like the paper doll idea better than the outfits....way to be creative with the framing.

[Christy Stargel]

How fun and creative are you??? Love the barbie outfits and would've never thought of doing something like that! Can not WAIT to see the finished room!!!! And see that precious baby girl!

[Laurie]

I like the idea of the paper dolls...it is reminscent of a John Derian plate I love that has a grouping of paper dolls. I actually ended up using in my own little girls room. Look forward to seeing the end result.

[Jennifer]

i dropped my jaw when i read about your 'vintage' barbie clothes cost. i just pulled out my old barbie trunk earlier this week and let my four toddlers go to town with my old 1970's barbies and clothes. their clothes are littered across my floor in our playroom. i've got to go rescue them! pronto! i'm going to sneak up there right now. are the barbies worth anything?

Really, this is getting ridiculous...i'm not some crazy packrat, but i seem to be on a roll. please next time you need something for your nursery check with me! ha!

jennifer in austin

[kendall boggs]

Very cute idea! I love to do decoupage! Love the artist's work as well.

[stephanie.sabbe]

I LOVE this idea! You are so creative. I sew. I should sew some barbie clothes:) I think my mom could mail me a model

[jessica]

is this little girl going to be so super stylish or what? she's so lucky to have a mother like you!

[amanda talley]

I LOVE THE GRASSCLOTH! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE DRAWING FRAMED! AND THE PLATES ARE TO DIE FOR! SO EXCITING! I AM ON THE PINS AND NEEDLES!

[Melise]

Vintage Barbie! What a classic idea! I love it! Boo on you for all the teasing.....can't wait for Chap 8!!

[Jesse Peak]

Love your ideas, they are so fantastic! Makes me wish my lil girl didn't share a room with her twin brother. Oh well she won't always.

[Emily]

What a great idea for a girls room! You are very talented and I love seeing the baby's room come along. Good luck with everything!

[Frances Haines]

I totally agree with Jacci! You see beyond the obvious!! I would have thought just framing the paperdolls was a great idea...you always take design to the next level...and the plates are feminine, but not necessarily "little girl"...she can use them in her room til she's a beautiful young woman...and later in her own home! I am always impressed with your ideas, but NEVER surprised...the unexpected IS your norm!!
Mary Frances

[beki]

I love Amanda Talley's work - how lucky you are to have one of her pieces!

[velvet and linen]

You definitely have the nesting bug, and I couldn't be happier.
It's so much fun seeing what you come up with.
Love the Barbie paper outfits. Great idea.
I can certainly see why you couldn't resist Amanda Talley's work.
I want one in my room too!

xo
Brooke

[erin@elementsofstyleblog]

You are going to have the most BITCHIN' nursery lady. I am in awe of you. Seriously.

[air jordan shoes]

The countenance is the portrait of the mind,the eyes are its informers.

[Penny Sanford Fikes]

Did you come back with a post about the paper doll plates? Would love to see photos!