Bulb Box to Dog Bed

I admit it freely....I pamper my animals. I've had other projects focusing on my cat, Danny....for instance, his kitty cushion. I've also used some of Danny's hair to make a felted mouse but that was less pampering and more *productive grooming*. Bottom line: I do focus some crafty attention on my animal friends. It's Chloe the Boston Terriers turn!!

This little doggie bed is made from a basic bulb crate that my given to me by my Mother-in-law. Once I saw the crate I could *feel* it's potential. Finally it occured to me how to use it. Here is how to make this cozy dog bed. You'll need:

Wooden Crate

Wooden balls(4 large, 4 small....they should each have a flat spot on them for glueing down)

Wood Glue

Hand Saw

White Paint

Thin Scrap Wood

Styrofoam (the size of the inside of the bed)
Sander

~Use a saw to trim the top (front facing) board, making 2 cuts, to create a small doorway. 

~Take a piece of thin scrap wood and glue it vertically to either side of the doorway....for support. Like this:

~Sand down the edges of the crate, you'll need a flat spot to glue down the wooden balls. 

~Start glue the 4 large balls to the 4 bottom corned of the crate. These are the feet. 

~Allow the feet to dry and then flip over the crate and glue the four smaller balls to the corners you have sanded down. 

Chloe couldn't wait for the bed to be finished....she had to try it out. :-)

~Once all the glue is dry, begin painting. 

~Paint every part of the crate. Once it is fully dry, use some sand paper to distress it if you like. 

~Put a piece of thin styrofoam in the bottom of the crate, to give it a perfectly flat surface.

~Put a nice soft pillow, some comfy blankets, fleece, etc. in the crate to finish it up.

Now all Chloe needs to do is to keep Danny from sneaking her bed away.....

UPDATE: YAY!!! This project was featured on My Backyard Eden!!



I shared this post at these Marvelous Linky parties:

Three Or More Tuesdays
Works For Me Wednesdays 

30

I'm 30 today!! 

My family treated me like the very well fed and pampered princess that I am. :-)

Munchkin picked out the flowers, the card, and the balloon. My Mum made the art:

Homemade Garlic Bread and a Sausage/Eggplant Lasagna:

Homemade Blueberry Cheesecake: 

Thank goodness I'm not lactose intolerant!!

 My family is the sweetest. Quality time, thoughtful gifts, delicious food....what more could a messy mom ask for?? Actually, I don't mean that to be a question. I couldn't ask for more. :-) 

Balsam Sachet from 2010

Just two days ago we took down our Christmas tree. Munchkin misses it quite a bit and is not comforted by the fact that we need the space back. So, I kept a little of the tree for safe keeping and sweet smelling. They say that people have a sense memory and that it is when we are first introduced to a smell (usually as a child) that we make that first connection. This little sachet will hold Munchkin's memories of Christmas.  

(If you are interested, I made the Snowman above out of homemade marshmallow fondant)

 

To make it I just trimmed two pieces of fabric into the shape of a heart. I turned them inside out and sewed most of it shut, leaving room to reverse the fabric. Once it is turned, pack it full with left over balsam  (I scooped mine right off from the tree skirt).  Hand sew the opening shut and around the edges to give it a primitive feel, if you like. Stitch the year onto it. 

This makes a very pretty ornament for your tree as well. Wouldn't it be great to have one from each year that you began having a tree of your own? Now I am wishing I had little more forethought. Well, we'll just have to start with the year 2010. :-) 

Happy New Year!!

I shared this post at these fabulous parties:

Frugalicious Friday
Works For me Wednesdays