Thursday, April 4, 2013

An Inspired Bicycle Dresser

This sweet little dresser came to me from my friend Nicole.  She no longer had a use for it and thought I could do something with it.  After it came to me, it got buried in my garage, like everything else.  Only the other day I unburied it, and was inspired.


You see, my little guy is battling leukemia.  But we are tremendously fortunate to live close enough to Boston so Jack can get his treatment at the Jimmy Fund, which is the pediatric unit of Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  As with all horrible diseases, money is needed for research to end such diseases.  The Jimmy Fund is lucky enough to have the Pan Mass Challenge as it's number one contributor.  It is the most successful fundraising event in the country, raising $37 million dollars last year alone.  100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to cancer research.  Over 5000 cyclists, from around the world, get on their bikes and ride through Massachusetts for a two day event in August.  It is inspiring, and humbling, to have such wonderful people support my little guy.  And we get in on the action too; Jack is paired with a riding team as their inspiration.  His face is actually put on posters along the route to help keep the riders pedaling.  Our fabulous team is called the Montie Pythons and we are honored to know them.  

Here's a photo of me and Jack with some of the Montie Pythons, after meeting them for the first time at Fenway Park:


Back to the dresser.  After some inspiration:


Of course, a little beach cruiser bike wouldn't get you through the 200 mile race without being sore in places you were never sore in, but it seemed to fit this piece.  (Give me a hover craft and I still would be sore after a 200 mile ride).


I used Miss Mustard Seed's Tricycle Milk Paint, but I didn't have any of that fabulous chipping going on. So, I distressed it a bit with a palm sander.  I then traced the bike on the dresser and hand painted it white.  A coat a clear wax was applied and then a little dark wax to give it some depth.  


I think it would be adorable in a little boy's room.  Perhaps he'll grow up to be so inspired to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge.


If you would like to learn more about the mission of the Pan Mass Challenge, and maybe get involved yourself, check it out here.  

If you are so inspired and would like to own this piece, it is now available at Robin's Egg. The measurements are 14 1/2" deep, 26" wide, and 35 1/2" tall.

Thank you to all who do their part in ridding cancer from this earth,

Debbie


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44 comments:

  1. I love the redo from the photo, but I love it even more knowing the story behind it.

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  2. I love the way the bicycle wraps around the side of a dresser. Any boy or girl would love this!

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  3. Debbie, I also live near Boston and friends do the pan mass challenge. It is such a great cause. Your dresser you painted is beautiful. If you have a chance I'd love for you to link it to my link party: http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/2013/03/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party_31.html This one closes a midnight but a new one will start up on Sunday. Such a beautiful story and message.

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  4. This is so cute! It would be so adorable in a little boy's room!

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  5. I was so touched by your story- wishing your little one all the best!
    This dresser is fabulous! So original!
    I am helping my nephew redo his room and I will show him this-

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  6. Love the bicycle motif and the red paint. It will look great in a kid's room.

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  7. So touched by your story. Wishing your little guy all the best! The dresser is wonderful and I'm sure someone will treasure it.

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  8. I love the dresser! Can you tell us more about how you got the bike image onto it? Heartfelt wishes for a recovery for your son.

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    1. Thanks everyone! Caren, I just enlarged in the image in my Silhouette and printed it on the printer. You don't need a Silhouette to do this; you can use another photo program or even Staples. So I had about 8 sheets to tape together to make the size I wanted. Then I used carbon paper on the back as I traced over the design onto the dresser. You can always use a soft pencil to darken the lines on the back if you don't have carbon paper. I only painted the drawers when they were in the dresser to paint the connecting lines. Otherwise it was easier to pull the drawers out and paint them individually. Hope this helps!

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  9. I, like others, love the dresser but your story has touched my heart. My daughter is very involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma fundraisers in Atlanta. I will surely tell her about this ride (She went to college in Cambridge) so she loves Boston. Maybe she will make this ride a goal. Thanks SO much for sharing and God Bless you and your family as you fight this disease. <3

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  10. p.s.- just went to your Etsy shop. I have been there before and love your work. My daughter and her husband are buying their first house so when I get more details and size constraints I will order them a family sign! Small world.....:>)

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  11. I loved the dresser when I saw it at Miss Mustard Seed, but when I came over and read your story, it absolutely resonated with me. My husband is battling cancer and he was diagnosed last year October. I wish your little boy everything of the best and may God bless your family and the wonderful work people do all over the world to support people with this disease.

    Hugs
    Sumaya

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  12. Wonderful story, and I LOVE that dresser. Perfect. Great job!

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  13. Blessing sent your way...just love your inspiration piece

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  14. I am praying for your little guy and sending healing thoughts your way! This dresser- it is just beautiful. I love the vintage feel it has. I have a dresser that needs a makeover and something like this just might be perfect! Thanks so much for inspiring me today:)
    Shannon@CozyCountryLiving

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  15. This is great!!!

    would love it if you could share this on my link party : Serenity Saturday

    Natasha @ Serenity You

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  16. Great inspiration! Love it!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  17. Gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing this at Silver Pennies Sundays! x

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  18. Love this dresser and the meaning behind it!

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  19. Gorgeous dresser, gorgeous color and what a beautiful story. Praying your son and the Montie Pythons.

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  20. What a beautiful tribute piece! Prayers for all of you.

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  21. What an amazing redo! I love your story! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria

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  22. I clicked over from Savvy Southern Style to see your cute bike dresser and learned of deep kindness from strangers. What an amazing story. I am bowing my head now to say a prayer for your little Jack. I can tell you are an awesome Mom. And you are pretty good with a paintbrush too!

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  23. Debbie, have you ever done a locomotive on a similar piece of furniture? I already love the bike and imagine the locomotive would look fun, too. Prayers for healing for your precious son.

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  24. LOVE it! So cute. Sending prayers to your little guy.

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  25. Very cute dresser, I love the color.
    Touched my heart reading about your Jack.
    Today happens to be our small (population 600) town's Britany Day.. to celebrate one of our local children being free of her cancer.
    Childhood cancer really hits me with a surge of emotion.. my grandmother lost two sons in their teens to cancer 30 years ago, they were my dad's younger brothers. Medicine has come SO far.. it feels so good to know many adults and children who have fought cancer and come out smiling strong.
    You and Jack are in my thoughts.. all the best in your crusade against cancer.
    I believe in you guys!

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  26. This is unbelievably cool! Visiting from Savvy Southern Style.

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  27. What an inspirational story! I'm so glad that you live in a community that has programs like that one. I love the dresser and am praying for your little guy to get well.

    -Peggy

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  28. That is just about the coolest thing I've seen online all day. Sigh. Lynaea @ EveryDayBloom.com

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  29. If you prefer cycling shorts that stop above the knee, you need to make sure that the opening is not too tight and that it will give with your thigh rather than constrict around it. If you choose the tights that go to the ankle, look into those with a zipper at the ankle to make it easier to take them on and off. And for bib tights, look for those that are mostly mesh above the waist so that you don't get overheated with too much material.

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