DIY Scrap 2x4 Bunny

Although there is still some snow lingering in the back yard, I wanted to make a quick spring decoration. I dug through my scrap wood pile for some inspiration. This past winter, my Little Sister made these cute snowmen out of 2x4s. I love how they turned out!

I decided I would make a bunny out of some scrap wood. 

If you would like to make your own, here are the steps I took to make mine.

Needed materials:

2" x 4" @ 6"

1" x 2" - @ 7"

1/4" plywood scrap (optional)

Paint

Wood Glue

Sander or sanding block

Miscellaneous craft supplies (ribbon, wire, pom pom, felt, foam sheet, fabric, etc.)

Step 1: Cut your wood. I used scraps, so I did not have to cut anything, but here are the sizes I used. You can make your cuts any length you want.

Wood cuts:

1 - 2" x 4" cut at 6" (body) - I grabbed a scrap that was about 6" long.

2 - 1" x 2" cut at 3 1/2" (ears) - I used scraps that were about 3 1/2" long.

1 - 1/4" plywood cut at 1 3/8" triangle (nose) - I used a scrap from when I made the charging stations, so the dimensions were not perfect at all. These would also be cute with a larger or smaller sized nose. If you don't have any 1/4" plywood laying around, you could use a piece of felt or foam or even just paint the nose on.

Step 2: Sand your wood pieces. I forgot to take a picture of this step, so this is an old picture, but sand everything. You may also want to round the corners on the nose.

Step 3: Paint your bunny body, ears, and nose. Again, I just used paint that was left over from other projects.

I didn't bother making a template for the inside of the ears. I just painted it by free hand. If you don't want to paint, you could glue on felt, foam, or other fabric for the inside of the ears.

Step 4: Using wood glue, glue on the ears and nose. Again, I forgot to take a picture at that step. Sorry! 

Step 5: Paint on the eyes and mouth. I just did this by free handing it. I'm not very artsy, so my eyes are not great. You could also try using googly eyes for a goofy looking bunny.

Step 6: Add the whiskers and bow. I used some floral wire for the whiskers and a piece of ribbon and a button for the bow. 

Step 7: Add the tail. A bunny would not be complete without a pom pom or cotton ball tail.

This was super easy to make and it didn't cost me anything at all! What makes it great is that it is completely customizable! This would also make a great spring craft for the kids!

DIY Land of Nod Inspired Tabletop Puppet Theater

Ana White is currently hosting a #GetBuilding2015 challenge. This month's theme is #ScrapWorkLove which requires the use of scrap wood to create a project. My niece's 4 year birthday was coming up, so I decided I would make something for her. I looked through my wood scraps and tried to come up with a project. A few years ago, I had made this puppet stage for another niece and she loved it.

I didn't have enough scrap materials to make something that large, plus this was going to be for a 4 year old, so I decided to make something smaller. I saw Land of Nod's Tabletop Theater. I knew this would be perfect! My measurements are not exactly the same as the Land of Nod version because I was using scrap wood, but it worked out great! You can easily adjust this to make due with the scraps you have on hand.

If you do not have scraps, here are the needed materials:
1 - 1" x 6" x 3'
1 - 1" x 4" x 10' (You can get an 8' board, but you will need to change the 21" cuts to 20 1/2" cuts)
1 - 1" x 3" x 4'
1 - 3/8" x 3' dowel or a tension rod
Saw (I used a miter saw and a jig saw, but you could even use a hand saw)
Kreg Jig or countersink drill bit
1 1/4" pocket hole screws or wood screws
Spade drill bit (if you are using a dowel)
paint or stain
small amount of fabric
needle and thread or sewing machine
Coat hooks (optional)

Here are the steps I took to make the puppet stage.

Step 1: Cut your boards. I used a miter saw for most of the cuts. but any saw will do.
1 - 1" x 6" cut at 18" (bottom sign)
2 - 1" x 4" cut at 21" (sides)
1 - 1" x 4" cut at 18" (top sign)
2 - 1" x 4" cut at 18" (stage and top sign base)
2 - 1"x 3" cut at 6 1/2" (bases)
1 - 3/8" dowel cut at 20 1/2" or a tension rod

Step 2: Using a Kreg jig set a the 3/4" setting, drill pocket holes in each end of the inside of the stage, and top sign base. 

Step 3: Using a Kreg jig set a the 3/4" setting, drill pocket holes in each end and the top of the inside of the top sign and the bottom sign.

Step 4: Using the pocket hole screws, attach the bottom sign to the sides. If you don't want to use pocket holes, you can use countersunk screws.

Step 5: Follow this process for both sides.

Step 6: Using the pocket hole screws, attach the stage to the sides and bottom sign.

Step 7: Follow the same process for the top sign and top sign base.

Step 8: Draw the curve for the front edge of the bases. An easy way to do this is to trace around a paint can or something similar.

Step 9: Use a jig saw to cut around the curve. If you don't have a jig saw, you can just leave these as blocks on the sides instead of being curved.

Step 10: Attach the bases to the sides using countersunk screws from the inside of the sides.

Step 11: Using a spade bit, drill holes into the sides where you want to place the dowel.

Step 12: Drill a small hole in each end of the dowel (This step is optional.)

Step 13: Make your curtains. I am not an expert at sewing, but these were pretty simple. Just cut your curtains to size. Fold over about 1/4" and sew around the edges. Fold over the top edge. Be sure to make this long enough to fit the dowel or tension rod. Sew that top part down.

Step 14: Slide your dowel into the hole in the side. Slide the curtains on, and put the dowel through the other side.

Step 15: I wanted to ensure that the dowel would not slide back and forth, so I put some small screws into the ends of the dowel. This also will allow the curtains to be removed and washed or changed.

Step 16: I also placed a couple coat hooks on the sides so hold the curtains back. This is not necessary. You could also use a ribbon or a piece of the fabric to tie the curtain back.

Step 17: Fill any holes with putty, sand all surfaces, and paint or stain. I normally paint everything at the end, but because I was using more than one color, I decided to paint as I went.

Step 18: Have fun! My niece loved her new puppet stage. 

It was a Frozen party, so the puppet show starred Elsa and Olaf. She had a great time!

This was a quick build and did not cost a thing to make! You can make easily make one for a fraction of what it costs to buy. This would also make a great classroom gift!

Crocheted Lego Throw

It was my niece's birthday earlier this month. She loves Legos. When I saw this pattern, I knew that I had to make it for her.

This free pattern can be found on the Red Heart website under Building Blocks Throw. The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn and is in the traditional Lego colors. I chose to use the colors from the Friends line of Legos.

This was a very easy throw to make and you can easily customize it to your liking.The hardest part is sewing on all the dots because you have to make sure they all line up so they look like Legos.

You can check out more details for this pattern and see some of my other knitting and crocheting projects on my Ravelry project page.

Leprechaun Crochet Toddler Hat and Bow Tie Pattern

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner. If you are looking for some quick accessories to make for your little leprechaun, this crocheted hat and bow tie are perfect!

This hat fits my 9 month old nephew perfectly, but he has a larger than average head. You may need to adjust the size for whomever you are making the hat. Be sure to check the gauge.

Size:

The finished hat has a circumference of 19” and is 5 ½” high.

The bow tie measures about 4” long and 2” high before you tie the middle.

Needed Materials:

Crochet Hook Size I (hat and bow tie)

Crochet Hook Size K (bow tie)

Worsted Weight Yarn Green – 159 g (hat & tie)

Worsted Weight Yarn Black – 24 g (band)

Worsted Weight Yarn Gold – 50 g (buckle)

Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 

12 sc = 4” - holding two strands together. I crochet tightly, so be sure to check the gauge.

Hat

Using the I crochet hook and holding two strands of green together, make a magic loop.

Round 1: 6 sc in the magic loop. (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12)

Round 3: (Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. (18)

Round 4: (Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. (24)

Round 5: (Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. (30)

Round 6: (Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. (36)

Round 7: (Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. (42)

Round 8: (Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. (48)

Round 9: (Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. (54)

Round 10: (Sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. (60)

Rounds 11-18: Sc in each stitch around. (60)

Round 19: (Sc in next 13 sc, sc 2tog) 4 times. (56)

Rounds 20-27: Sc in each stitch around. (56)

Round 28: (Sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 2 times. (62)

Round 29: Sc in each sc around. (62)

Round 30: (Sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 2 times. (68)

Round 31: Sc in each sc around. (68)

Round 32: (Dc in next 10 sc, 2 dc in next sc, dc in next 11 sc, 2 dc in next sc, dc in next 10 sc, 2 dc in next sc) 2 times. (74)

Round 33: Sc in each dc around. (74)

Fasten off.

Hat Band

Using the I crochet hook and holding two strands of black together, ch 9.

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (8)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in in sc, turn. (8)

Continue in this manner until the band is the desired length. Fasten off.

Buckle

Using the I crochet hook and holding two strands of gold together, ch 20. Join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

Ch 2, 2 hdc in the same stich as the join, *hdc in the next 4 ch, 3 hdc in the next ch, hdc in the next 4 ch*, 3 hdc in the next ch, repeat from * to * once, join with a slip stitch to the beginning, fasten off.

Hat Finishing

Sew the buckle on to the band. Sew the band onto the hat. Weave in ends.

Bow Tie

Using the K crochet hook and holding two strands of green together, ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (10)

Row 2-4: Ch 1, sc in in sc, turn. (10)

Row 5: Ch 1, 3 sc in the 1^st sc, 1 sc in each sc across, 3 sc in the corner sc, 4 sc across the side, 3 sc in the corner, sc in each st across the beginning ch, 3 sc in the corner, 4 sc across the side. Fasten off.

Tie Finishing

Fold the tie in half like a taco. Take a long strand of green yarn and tie a tight knot around. Continue to wrap the yarn around the center of the tie until you get your desired look.

Using the I crochet hook and one strand of green, ch 100. Fasten off. Thread the chain under the knot that you tied. You can the tie the bow tie on.

AbbreviationsCh = Chain
Dc = Double Crochet
Hdc = Half Double Crochet
Sc = Single Crochet
Sc2tog = Single Crochet Two Together
You can see more details and can download a pdf of the pattern or from the Ravelry pattern page. While you are over on Ravelry, be sure to check out some of my other projects on my project page!

Kit Kat Jacob's Ladder Toy

Are you looking for an idea for something fun to put in the Easter baskets? This idea is both a toy and a treat! It's also easy enough that kids could also make it.

I was going to make a Jacob's Ladder toy out of wood. I was deciding on the size to make the blocks and I realized that a Kit Kat is the perfect size to make the toy. I decided to make a Jacob's Ladder out of Kit Kats.

See a video of the Kit Kat ladder in action here.

Needed Materials:
6 Kit Kats - I found Easter themed Kit Kats, but regular Kit Kats will work fine.
Paper or 1/2" Ribbon
Tape
Scissors

Step 1: Cut 15 Strips of paper. They should be about 1/2" wide and about the length of two Kit Kats. I used two different colors to make it easier for the tutorial. You may choose to use only one color or multiple colors. You could also use ribbon cut at the length of two Kit Kats. 

Step 2: Tape the pieces of paper to the Kit Kats as shown below. Tape three strips on five of the Kit Kats. Leave one Kit Kat with no strips attached. I used the pink strips taped to the front side and the green strips taped to the back side. I did this to help explain the process. This will also result in the all the front sides being on one side of the ladder. It really does not matter which sides you tape the strips.

Step 3: Place your Kit Kat with the taped side down and fold the strips over the top. You will have one short strip each on the top and bottom of the bar extending one way and a short strip in the middle extending the other way. I taped the strips down to take a picture, but you should not have to tape them down.

Step 4: Place the next Kit Kat with the taped strips facing down on top of the bar with the folded over strips. Make sure that you place the bar so the end that has the two long strips attached to the top and bottom is the on top of the end with the middle short strip.

 Step 5: Fold the short strips over the bar. Be sure to pull the strips tight to prevent them from slipping off the bar and tape them down.

Step 6: Fold the long strips over the top of the bar like you did in step 3. Again, I taped them down to take the picture, but you do not need to do this. Just be sure the strips do not cross. If they cross, your ladder will not work.

Step 7: Put the next Kit Kat with the taped strips facing down. Fold over the short ends and tape them down.

Step 8: Fold the long ends over the bar. Continue on in this manner until you get to the Kit Kat that does not have any strips taped to it.

Step 9: When you get to the last bar, place the bar on top. You will just have the three short strips extending.

Step 10: Tape the short strips down.

Your Kit Kats should now look like the below.

Step 11: Have fun! It's time to play with your new Jacob's ladder. To get the ladder to work, hold the ladder extended with your fingers on the sides of the bar. Then, rotate your wrist forward and backward. It will look like the Kit Kats are cascading down the ladder. To see it in action, you can see a quick video here. Once you are done playing with it, simply remove the paper strips and enjoy the Kit Kats!

You don't have to use Kit Kats for this. You can use any similar sized, flat candies. Something like Orbit or Five gum would be perfect.

I will be posting a tutorial of a traditional Jacob's ladder using wood blocks, soon.