While wandering around in the Re Build It store one day, I spotted a bin of spindles in all lengths and shapes for 25¢. Immediately I started thinking of how I could use them. It’s a curse, or a gift, I see treasures when others see trash.
A doll bed came to mind. I don’t know why. I wasn’t planning on making a doll bed. Then there was a big “ahaaaa,” the Princess and the Pea. Which meant besides the bed, I’d also have to come up with a princess and a pea and a lot of mattresses. If you don’t know the story of the Princess and the Pea you can find it HERE.
I don’t do many woodworking projects, but knew I was going to give it a try and wing it, making it up as I went along.
The spindles had knots and imperfections but a little wood filler and sanding made them good as new and they worked out fine. Remember they were only 25¢. The frame for the bed was made out of scraps of trim cut on a 45 and glued together.
L brackets hold everything together. The shims give the beadboard base something to rest on, and were screwed onto the L brackets too.
Later I turned it upside down and screwed in the beadboard base from underneath. It’s really sturdy now.
For the headboard I used paint stir sticks. I laid them on, then glued them to cross pieces also made from stir sticks.
I may have taken just a few extra stir sticks from Lowe’s!
You can see the cross pieces that support the headboard. The bed is now completely primed and ready to paint.
Here’s a peak at the progress on the princess and her mattresses.
I need to make the princess some clothes, make a pea in a pea pod and a ladder so she can climb up to the top of all those mattresses, but the project is on hold until after Thanksgiving.
So far it cost me about 3 bucks. I needed to buy the L brackets and a couple extra screws. The princess and her accessories were all made from fabric I already had.
Part 2 and 3 will be coming up as the project progresses. I think it’s going to be so cute! A gift like this could become a treasure for generations. Sure hope my granddaughter Mia likes it! I do!
added to Southern Institute
Creation Corner
Debbie (((xx)))
Man! What a creative mind you have! A huge brain! Can't wait to see the finished product.
How adorable, Debbie! This is going to be so cute!
your grandgirl is going to love this and treasure it always. I just love that story and you are making it come true for her…you are so creative! Can't wait to see part 2/3.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!
Looking good! Way to be resourceful, too!
Aloha,
Charlie