DIY Kid-Sized Adirondack End Table

My brother recently moved into a new house. I wanted to make a little something for the two kids. I made this cute Adirondack set.

I built the two chair's and table using Ana White's plans. I built one of these chairs last year for a charity event. If you want to see the details for that, check out my Building a Kid-Sized Adirondack Chair for Charity post.

Here are the steps that I took to build this end table.

Needed Materials:
1 - 2" x 2" at 6 feet
2 - 1" x 3" at 6 feet
1 - 1" x 2" at 3 feet
1 1/4" Kreg pocket hole screws
1 1/2" Finishing nails
Wood glue
Paint or Stain

Needed Cuts:
4 - 2" x 2" cut at 17 1/4" (legs)
4 - 1" x 3" cut at 9 1/2" (aprons)
2 - 1" x 2" cut at 9 1/2" (side supports)
1 - 1" x 2" cut at 10 1/4" (stretcher)
5 - 1" x 3" cut at 14 1/2" (slats)

Step 1: Make the cuts. I used my miter saw for all my cuts.

Step 2: Drill pocket holes into each end of the 4 aprons, 2 side supports and the stretcher.

Step 3: Using the pocket hole screws and wood glue, attach the aprons to the legs.

Step 4: Using the pocket hole screws and wood glue, attach the side supports to the legs.

Step 5: Using the pocket hole screws and wood glue, attach the stretcher to the side supports.

Step 6: Using the finishing nails and glue, attach the slats to the top.

Step 7: Fill the pocket holes with putty and sand everything.

Step 8: Paint or apply finish of your choice. I used Rustoleum spray paint.

Step 9: Enjoy! To give you an idea of size, my nephew and niece are 1 and 4 years old.

You can find more details and the full plans to build this Adirondack end table on the Ana White website.

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!

Curating a Kid's Furniture Clipboard for hometalk

Are you a member of hometalk? If not, what are you waiting for? If you are not familiar with hometalk, it is a fabulous website where people can share their knowledge on everything related to the home. Members can post pictures and tutorials of things that they have made or done. They range in topic from how to plant a garden, to how to fix an appliance, to home decor, and everything in between.

Not only can you view a ton of amazing ideas from other people, but you can ask for suggestions and opinions on whatever you need. I have posted both tutorials and asked for advice on different topics and the feedback for both has been terrific! Another feature, is that you can create "clipboards." These boards allow you to group and save ideas and inspiration for later viewing.

Last week, I was asked to curate a featured clipboard about kids furniture. Over the past few years, I have made quite a few things for the little people in my life, so I was so excited to be asked to curate this board! This is the 20 enchanting kids furniture ideas clipboard that I put together. The hardest part of putting together the clipboard was narrowing down the possibilities. They were looking for 15 - 20 projects and I could have easily used at least 50!

The above is just a sampling of some of the amazing projects on the clipboard. Be sure to check it out! While you are taking a look, don't forget to become a member of hometalk. I promise, you will not regret it!

If you want to check out some of my past posts, questions, or boards that I have on hometalk, be sure to checkout my hometalk profile. I would also love to have you as a Follower!