Baby Doll: Crib

DISCLAIMER: I just want to state the OBVIOUS....this crib is NOT INTENDED, in any way, to be used for the care of a HUMAN child!!!! Please don't put a baby or child into this crib!  It is only intended to be used as a TOY for children to PLAY WITH!!! 

The Baby Doll Crib is finally built, just not "finished"!  In my effort to get this plan out to you before Christmas, I have simply built it and not filled holes, sanded, or finished the crib.  Please excuse the mess!

SHOPPING LIST: (You may have some of these pieces on-hand as SCRAP)

2x2:    4 - 18" long (legs)

1x2:    4 - 24" long (long side rails of crib - top and bottom)

1x2:    4 - 10 5/8" long (ends of crib - top and bottom)

MDF:  2 pieces @ 9"x12" (vertical ends of crib)

MDF:  1 piece @ 12"x24" (bottom of crib)

1x2:    4 - 12" long (screwed under 12"x24" MDF for support)

5/16 dowel:  14 pieces at 8" long (side rails of crib - Home Depot has them in 4 foot lengths - buy 3)

3/8" drill bit

t-square level

tape measure

2" wood screws

countersink bit for the screws

1" nails (toenail on the vertical end pieces of MDF)

wood putty to fill holes and knots

Paint or stain to finish your piece

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.    Mark your sizes on your wood and cut out your pieces.  (I always mark the wood with sizes AND where it is to be used (leg, side) so that I can move faster when building.

2.    Sand your pieces (on the ends to be joined, at least, if not completely).  You don't want to deal with edges that won't join cleanly and snugly.

3.    Using a flat piece of board at one end, line up your 4 pieces of 1x2x24" rails so that they are all flush:

4.     Lay a tape measure on one of the boards, measuring from one end to the other the full 24", and make a small mark every three inches (3", 6", 9", 12", 15", 18", & 21").  These will be the placements of your 7 dowels per side rail (my daughter is helping with her OWN play tools....I wonder WHY this takes me SO LONG???):

 5.    While all of the pieces are lined up flush, use a t-square level to mark lines through your measured spacing marks:

6.    Here they are, all lined up and marked:

7.    Get out your 3/8" drill bit.  Making sure to drill in the CENTER of each mark, drill out a hole for each dowel....SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY, making sure to keep the drill bit VERTICAL to the board so you get straight holes.  (This is the tedious part - you will drill a hole 28 times!  But if you go slowly, your efforts will be worth it!):

8.    Pre-drill one of the 1x2x24" rails with a countersink bit in the top right corner of the rail (making sure the dowel holes are pointed toward you):

9.    Attach the 1x2x12" support (making sure that the support is laying "down flat" when drilling) to the 1x2x24" rail.  Repeat pre-drill on opposite top left corner of the 24" rail, and attach another 12" support (laying "down flat").  You should now have a U-shaped frame that looks like this (dowel holes facing UP):

10.    Now just attach another 24" rail to the other side of the frame, using the pre-drilling step with a countersink bit, and you should have a frame that looks like this (BOTH rails with dowel holes facing UP):

11.    Now lay your 12"x24" piece of MDF onto this frame (the support pieces laying DOWN FLAT help form a little "tray" for the MDF to sit onto).  You may have to sand down any tight edges of MDF to get it to fit:

12.    Now for the 2x2 legs:  Pre-drill through the TOP LEFT of one 2x2 leg, and the TOP RIGHT of a second 2x2 leg (you will repeat this step again for the "other side" of the crib for a total of 2 frames like this).  Screw on a 1x2x24" rail at the top of the legs (dowel holes on rail pointing down from the top of the legs) so that you have a frame that looks like this:

13.    Repeat last step so that you have 2 leg frame pieces that look alike.

14.    Now we join the bottom frame with the 2 leg frames:  the easiest way I found was to turn one leg frame upside-down (legs sticking into the air, 1x2x24" rail FLUSH SIDE out), arrange dowels into holes, then turn the bottom frame upside-down and line dowels up into that bottom 24" rail.  Screw the bottom 24" rail into the 2x2 legs, one at a time, and then turn right side up.  It should look something like this:

15.    Next:  repeat the last step for the other side of the crib, as pictured below:

16.    Now attach last two 1x2x12" supports under the crib, using a countersink bit and screwing them into the 24" rails with 2" wood screws:

17.    You will find the crib will "wobble" A LOT... SO

18.    Using your countersink bit, screw on a piece of 1x2x10 5/8" end piece between the 2x2 legs.  Make sure that the 1x2 is flat (as pictured):

19.    Now place your 9"x12" MDF end pieces inside the crib, flush with the 2x2 legs.  Toenail these pieces into the 2x2 legs and top 1x2x10" piece using 1" nails and a nail gun:

20.    Last: nail the last 2 pieces of 1x2x10 5/8" pieces onto the sides of the crib between the 2x2 legs and level with the top of the bottom end supports:

21.  Fill all nail holes and knots in wood with wood putty.

22.  Sand piece well.

23.  Finish as desired with paint or stain.

(I have not filled my nail/screw holes or painted this piece yet....in an effort to get the plans out to you so that you may build this in time for Christmas!  Please forgive the lack of "finish"!)

Here is a picture of the crib next to the changing table that we previously built:

These two pieces are pre-school kid-sized (my daughter is almost 3, but the size of a 5 year old) 

and they fit her well.  

Here is the crib with the mattress and pillow from my tutorial :

http://piecesforreese.blogspot.com/2010/12/mattress-pillow-sheets-tutorial.html

(The doll measures approximately 13", so this crib can be used for even larger dolls!)

Please feel free to use these plans to build furniture, for sale or for pleasure, but please do not sell the PLANS as your "own".  Please also give credit to me and link back here!  I hope you enjoy them!!

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.

18" Doll: Pilgrim Dress

So I had some fabric, pattern, and an idea...I wanted to experiment!  I decided to make an outfit that I couldn't readily buy from "They Who Shall Not Be Named".....why not a pilgrim dress?  Hmmm....

I used McCall's Crafts Pattern # 3900 for dolls, view C with straight sleeves in black fabric.

http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m3900-products-3411.php?page_id=909&search_control=display&list=search

I paper-pieced the long pilgrim collar and cuffs in white, then sewed them onto the dress.  I also "winged" an apron out of white and tied that onto the doll.  

Not too bad for just playing around and using up scrap fabric!  This will make a great Christmas present for my daughter.  Have an adventure.....grab a pattern, scrap fabric and your imagination.....then CREATE!!! 

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.

Baby Doll: Diapers, Blanket, Changing Pad

I made two sets of each (Purple Polka Dot & Pink Floral):
2 Diapers
Blanket
Changing Pad

These are for 2 toddler girls for Christmas.  I got the diaper pattern here: http://servingpinklemonade.blogspot.com/2010/01/baby-diapers.html

The Blanket and Changing Pad "patterns" I just "winged".

I simply cut the items out from two old flannel baby receiving blankets that by daughter no longer uses, so these gifts were virtually FREE!!!

I added velcro to the diapers for ease of use.  ALL of the items were sewn "pillow-case style" placing 2 pieces of fabric right-sides together, sewing around, then turning right-side out and top-stitching around all edges to finish.

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.

Pretend Play: Wooden Mail Box

I finally finished my daughter's wooden mailbox a couple months ago.  The plan can be found here: http://ana-white.com/2009/12/plan-cutest-mail-box-ever.html

I put some stamps onto index cards, filled in some addresses to make them look like mail, and then had them laminated (local teacher supply store).  Some "mail" were just blank "return envelopes" from junk mail and bills we had received.....great way to recycle! 

The USPS logo on the side of the mailbox is from GOOGLE images.  I just printed out one for each side and decoupaged them on the wood.  

I added a small "locking hasp" to the door....kids love locks and keys!  The top "mail slot" is fixed, not hinged, like a traditional mail box.  (I didn't want possible pinched fingers!)

Head over to Ana's website and pick out something FUN and EASY to build this Christmas!  You won't be disappointed!!!

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.

18" Doll: Bedside Lamp

Yes....It REALLY lights up!!!!

This is a fun little project that re-uses simple items.  You may even have some (or all) of these items at home already!  

SHOPPING LIST:

4 - bendable drinking straws

1 - empty plastic bottle (like for vitamins)

1 - clear plastic drinking cup

1 - LED battery powered tea light (sell at craft stores in candle section - $1?)

scrap of paper (to decoupage onto bottle)

light-weight scraps of tissue paper (I used pieces of paper from a pattern I was cutting out)

decoupage glue

hot glue gun

white rice, pebbles, or even sand (something to add weight to the bottle)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.    Cut out a strip of paper that will fit around your selected bottle:

(I'm sorry I can't specify a size to cut....it all depends on the size and diameter of the bottle you choose.)

Glue the strip of paper to your bottle using decoupage, and let dry.

2.    Meanwhile, cut off the rim of your plastic cup so that it is more to scale for your lamp:

(If your bottle is LARGE, you may not need to cut the cup, or if your bottle is smaller, you could use a smaller DIXIE cup to get the scale correct.  Just play with it until the "scale" looks right next to your doll.)

3.    Cut your tissue paper into small random pieces, about 1"x1".  You will need enough to cover the surface of your plastic cup.

4.    Glue your pieces onto your plastic cup with decoupage medium.  I placed them randomly, making sure to cover all of the cup from top edge to bottom edge.  I may take 2-3 "layers" of paper to get it covered and looking right.  Let the cup dry.

5.    When your bottle is dry, fill it with something to give it weight (rice, sand, pebbles, etc.):

 6.    "Tamp" the bottle on the counter or a table to make the contents settle in the bottle, and then top it off with your "weighted material" to the brim of the bottle:

7.    Have the bottle cap ready to put onto the bottle.  Add hot glue around the rim of the bottle, through the threads, and then quickly screw on the bottle cap.  Let the hot glue dry.

8.    Take 2 straws.  Insert one short end into the other straw (short end), creating a U shape.  Repeat with the other set of straws.

9.    Arrange the straws on top of the bottle cap (as shown) perpendicular to the other set of straws.  (You will hot glue one set onto the bottle cap, and then spin the bottle 90 degrees and hot glue on the other set of straws so that they sit in a "box" shape on the bottle cap.  Add enough hot glue to hold them down well, and to make the surface more "level" for the next step.

 10.    Once the hot glue is DRY, place the LED tea light onto the bottle cap.  (This LED tea light IS NOT GLUED DOWN so that you can turn it on and off or replace the battery.)

11.    Once DRY, place the lamp shade (plastic cup) over the straw armature.  You will likely need to cut the straws shorter to make the lamp shade sit at the right height over the LED tea light.  (THE LAMP SHADE IS NOT GLUED ON so that you can remove it to get to the LED tea light.)

12.    Your lamp is finished!

***** Want a LARGER LAMP???  Use a larger bottle!  It would be a better size for the "living room"!****

My 3 year old daughter is IN LOVE with this lamp!  It is simple enough for her to turn on and off, and sturdy enough for her to play with.  I think kids of all ages would love to have this....even me! :)

Please feel free to use these plans to build furniture, for sale or for pleasure, but please do not sell the PLANS as your "own".  Please also give credit to me and link back here!  I hope you enjoy them!!

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.

18" Doll: Nightstand or Small Bookshelf

This is a SIMPLE plan, and goes together in minutes:

SHOPPING LIST:

1x4:    1@ 8" long (top of nightstand)
1x4:    2@10" long (sides of nightstand)
1x4:    2@ 6" long (shelves)
MDF:  7" wide x 10.5" high (back of piece)

2" nails/nail gun
wood putty to fill holes and knots
paint or stain to finish piece

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.    Mark your measurements onto your wood and cut out pieces.

2.    Sand all wood well so that the edges go together snugly.

3.    Lay 2 10" side pieces down flat, side by side and squared off with each other, so that you can mark where the shelves will be nailed:

The bottom shelf is located 2" from the bottom of the sides, and the top shelf is located 6.75" from the bottom of the sides.  (These measurements are to the BOTTOM side of each shelf.)

4.    Nail the sides into the shelves to create a "ladder" shape:

5.    Attach the 1x4x8 to the top of the shelf, being certain that you have oriented the shelf in the "upright" position first.

6.    Nail the MDF backing on the the back of the piece, being sure to square the edges and make sure they are flush with the sides (my piece is a little small because I used scrap.)

7.  Fill all nail holes and knots in wood with wood putty.

8.  Sand piece well.

9.  Finish as desired with paint or stain.

Please feel free to use these plans to build furniture, for sale or for pleasure, but please do not sell the PLANS as your "own".  Please also give credit to me and link back here!  I hope you enjoy them!!

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.