The Luke Awakens!

My cousin, Bob, wanted a special bed for his dog, Luke Skywalker. Luke is a tiny Yorkie. We had discussed color and Bob said he wanted a nice medium "Facebook" blue. When I asked about the theme he said he loves Star Wars and they like to say, "The Luke Awakens" instead of "The Force Awakens". I decided to take the graphic for the movie and alter it to say "Luke". I then printed it on cardstock and had it laminated to attach it to the headboard. I found the Darth Vader fabric at Walmart and decided that the black and white would look nice with the blue.

Luke in his bed :)

Coffee Bar

I was so inspired when I saw the coffee bar that Joanna Gaines made on an episode of Fixer Upper (season 1 Episode 2). I was telling my mom about it and expressed how much I wish I had a bigger kitchen so I could have one. She suggested I make a mini version. I researched on Pinterst and found that many people had made mini coffee bars. I ordered hundred year old wood floating shelves online, painted the chalk board paint and repurposed some things I and my mother had lying around. This is the final result:

(I got the Pug mugs from https://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignMyDog )

Scooby Doo & Star Wars dog bed

I had planned to make two dog beds for my daughter's two Pugs, Jynkies and Darth Vader. I was going to find two matching end tables and paint one in a Scooby Doo theme and the other in a Star Wars theme. I didn't find two end tables, but instead I found one really large one. I decided to make it fun and paint it half and half. They both lay together anyways, so they may not enjoy two separate beds as much!

I didn't paint the pictures on the headboard. Instead, I printed them on cardstock and had them laminated so the dogs hopefully wouldn't ruin them. Then I stapled them on the headboard so they are secure. 

                                                          

Jynkies inspected it all thoroughly

Jynkies and Darth Vader

Bright Pink Dog Bed

I always have lots of dogs in my home so I need lots of dog beds. I was very inspired by an artist named Lucy ( http://www.lucydesignsonline.com/ ) when I found some of her dog beds made out of old end tables. I decided to search for some tables and make some adorable beds for my house. The dogs love them!

This was my absolute favorite so far! I found this end table at a yard sale and it was very well built and sturdy. I was inspired by the drawer knobs I found at Hobby Lobby and I had the pink fabric in a bag of scrap fabric in my storage. I also found the little dog decorations at Hobby Lobby and thought they would be fun and cute. Because of its size, I was able to use an old bed pillow for the cushion.

   

 



 Completed April 2013



Blue and White Dog Bed

I always have lots of dogs in my home so I need lots of dog beds. I was very inspired by an artist named Lucy ( http://www.lucydesignsonline.com/ ) when I found some of her dog beds made out of old end tables. I decided to search for some tables and make some adorable beds for my house. The dogs love them!

We have an older Pug named "Butch". We jokingly call him "Sherrif Butch" because he keeps the other dogs from playing too rough by jumping between them and barking at them. My mom found a paw print dog towel and wooden Sherrif star, and that was the inspiration for this bed. Because of its size, I was able to use an old bed pillow for the cushion. I put it in Butch's favorite sleeping spot, but he shares with all the other dogs. Of course, I painted his name crooked, but he doesn't mind :)

Butch

Sophie and Scooter

Harley

Completed April 2013

Purple and Leopard Print Dog Bed

I always have lots of dogs in my home so I need lots of dog beds. I was very inspired by an artist named Lucy ( http://www.lucydesignsonline.com/ ) when I saw some of her beautiful dog beds made out of old end tables. I decided to search for some tables and make some adorable beds for my house. The dogs love them!

This particular table was not my favorite because it has strange shaped legs. I really wanted to get started, so I settled. Originally, I made it as a 4 poster bed but when I had a couple Labrador Retrievers stay, they wrestled next to it and broke the 2 front legs so I had them cut down. I used an old curtain to make the cushion.

Butch and Bindy

Nina and Chewy

Daisi

Nina

 Completed March 2013



Garden Hollyhocks

I saw a beautiful set of metal flowers in a catalog. They were supposed to resemble Hollyhocks from a distance. I really loved them, but they were $95 for a set of 3 and they were metal, so they would eventually rust.

I decided to see if I could find a way to make something similar using recycled materials. I was inspired when I was in my local Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store and I saw sheets of left over vinyl siding for homes. They were only $1 per sheet and they just needed to be cleaned up. The only other thing I purchased was some green gardening stakes from Walmart. I already had wire, left over spray paint, pliers and cutting tools in my garage.

I cut the vinyl sheets into sections with a table saw so it would be easier to cut with hand tools. (I saved the strips at the end of the vinyl sheets for making buds later.) Then I drew out the shapes I would cut.

      



After I cut out all of my circles and leaves, I spray painted them on both sides.

 

Next, I painted the buds pink and lightly sprayed the bottoms green.

I made all the wires and began to assemble them.

Finally, I twisted each piece randomly on each stake.

For very little money, I now have an attractive garden decoration that will last for years because of the materials used. My hands are sore but it only took some free time on a Saturday to make. I love my Hollyhocks!



Completed August 2013