If you’re going to get married at home plate, who better to be a groomsman than Johnny himself?Yeah, that Johnny – the one with the goofy grin who wears an oversized pot on his head.I’m a yard-sale and thrift-shop junkie. I love finding old items and turning them into something new.
When it comes to creating kids toys, the sky is the limit with what can be made. With a little paint, a side table can become a boutique-worthy tea table or art desk. With some imagination and a little DIY know-how, a small dresser can be converted into a play kitchen or a bed tray can easily be transformed into a doll bed.
The idea is simple and easy to do and can be customized to match any room decor.
If you aren’t lucky enough to score a bed tray on the thrift, look for them at large discount stores. Have fun getting creative.
What you will need:
•Breakfast-in-bed tray with collapsible legs
•Wood glue
•Wood screws
•Four wood balls or blocks (bed legs)
•Craft paint (optional)
•2-inch-thick foam
• 1/2 yard flannel fabric – sheets
• 1/2 yard fleece fabric – blanket
•Pinking sheers
•Gelatin box
•Faux fur
•Fabric glue
To begin, flip the bed tray over and use wood glue and screws to secure the legs in a locked open position. The legs will be the head and footboard. Allow to dry.
Add legs to the bed at the four corners with wood glue and allow to dry. Add long wood screws to secure. You can use many different things for legs. Wood blocks, drawer pulls, wood balls, etc. Get creative here – just look for four things that match in size. Flip the bed right side up.
Optional: If you don’t like the color of the tray, then you can sand the tray and paint it with acrylic paint.
Cut the foam with a kitchen knife to fit the base of the tray – this will be the mattress.
Wrap a piece of flannel fabric around the foam mattress to be sheets. I don’t glue the fabric so it can be removed and washed later.
Making the comforter: Cut a piece of fleece fabric slightly larger than the bed. I like to use fleece because it is no-fray. Use decorative pinking sheers to give the edge a little pizzazz.
Making the fur bolsters: Open both ends of the gelatin box and fold to the inside of the box. Cut a piece of faux fur that will wrap around the box and have a little extra over hang on both side of the box. Lay the fur wrong side up and place the box in the center of the fur, wrap the fur around the box and secure with a little fabric glue. Tuck ends of the fabric into the box for a finished look.
