It’s time for January’s Power Tool Challenge-this month’s theme being “get organized”. My sweet little puppy Lulu Mae definitely needs to get organized. She already knows the term “pick up your toys”. She knows that’s her cue to pull out every toy as mom picks it up. So, my project this month is to make a dog toy box.
I have many, many drawers in my stash. Because Lulu Mae is petite, I decided that a shallow longer drawer would be better suited for her to be able to get into so she can find the right toy.
Pin it!
I cleaned up the drawer a little and brought it in the house to give it a test run. You can see the wicker basket that we’ve been using. She’s started chewing on it, and it has quickly become too small to hold all of her favorite toys.
To make sure she was going to adjust to the drawer as a new toy box, I filled it with her toys for a week or so.
You just can’t have a drawer resting on the floor as a toy box. I went to my stash and found the nubs of something I cut off. I had saved them in a baggie for just the perfect project.
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A couple of the nubs needed a little sanding so I used this handy portable work table to hold them still. If you don’t have one of these, I’ll show you how else this can be done later in this post.
The drawer needed a few repairs, so I used my favorite Gorilla Wood Glue and the Rockler Silicone Glue Brush to apply the glue into the joints. Not shown: I clamped the drawer until the glue set up.
Because drawer bottoms are so thin, I cut some scrap plywood to beef up the bottom in order to attach the “nubs” as feet. I used wood glue to hold them in place.
When adding feet to any project it’s best to put the feet on the inside of your project to draw the space out so you know where to drill your pilot holes.
I always do this whenever I add feet to any project. I first did it way back in the day with my twin window cabinets.
To hide the screws and make the bottom of the drawer more sturdy, I find a thin piece of plywood to make a false bottom for the drawer.
When you need your cut to be precise, be sure to measure on the correct side of the table saw blade. If you’re using the piece on the right of the blade, measure there. If you’re scrap piece is on the right and keep the piece on the left, measure to the left side of the blade. This is also when I raise or lower the blade for the correct thickness of the material.
Wood glue on the bottom will secure the new false bottom and give it a much cleaner look.
So much better!
For good measure I used my nail gun to pop a nail in each corner of the new bottom.
Now it’s time to do a little patching. Because I’ll be removing the original handles, I patched those holes as well as patching some chipped veneer. I also had to glue some small pieces of veneer that were coming loose. It was a little cool and overcast, so I brought out my portable fan to help speed up the drying process. When patching holes that are deep, it’s best to do it in three different stages. If you don’t, you’ll see a small divot when you paint.
Time to paint! I always paint the underneath side of my project first. I mixed up some diy chalky paint primer using plaster of paris and some satin black paint. As always, I use a cheap chip brush. Good coverage, and so easy to clean up!
I grabbed some pink paints to see which one I wanted to use. I actually had to use two bottles for the inside of the drawer. I did a muted pink as the base coat . . .
. . . and this scrumptious Americana Paint (Flamingo) as the top coat.
While the pink paint was drying, I used my favorite Heirloom Traditions wax and a car wash sponge to give a protective coat to the diy chalky paint.
When shopping at Heirloom Traditions, use the code MYREPURPOSEDLIFE to save 10% and get this month’s deal.
Time to figure out the handles! I scored this fun belt recently at a thrift store. I love the detail on it, and it’s just girly enough to embellish Lulu’s new toy box.
I brushed on a little of the Flamingo paint and then wiped it back. I drilled a hole in each end of the belt to secure it to the drawer side.
Ohhh, this handy Kreg cabinet hardware jig made it so easy for me to drill my pilot holes for the belt handles.
Ta Da!!! I love the leather handles made from belts. I first got this idea from my friend Becky at Beyond the Picket Fence! She even mailed me some leather belts to get me started years ago. Now I try to look for great deals on belts when I’m out thrift shopping.
Every girl needs some bling, right? I loaded some vinyl into my Silhouette CAMEO .
I typed out Lulu Mae’s Toys and chose the font AR BLANCA. I actually ended up not using the doghouse, it was too large.
I like to use painter’s tape to transfer smaller pieces of vinyl. You can see Miss Lulu in the background enjoying a piece of bread a squirrel left in the yard. She snuck it in while I wasn’t looking. I picked up that bed on Amazon because her brother and sister both have them and the LOVE them. I bought her an extra small pet bed.
Working in the living room on a dreary winter day, you can see her toys are all over the floor. I used the tape to transfer a couple of paw prints, in addition to some bones.
Because I had the overhead light on, there is a glare, and the pink vinyl almost looks white.
This image is more true to color of the paint and the vinyl. You also get a good look at the repurposed leather belt handle.
Lulu Mae loves her new toy box, that could also work as a dog bed! She’s getting a little shaggy, but doesn’t get a haircut for about 6 more weeks.
Be sure to check out the other fabulous projects in this months Power Tool Challenge!
The Kim Six Fix - Under Cabinet Storage
My Repurposed Life - Repurposed Drawer Dog Toy Box
H2OBungalow - DIY Hanging Jewelry Organizer
Create And Babble - Pallet Wood Entryway Bench with Shoe Storage
The DIY Bungalow - Reclaimed Wood Shelves
Designed Decor - Repurposed Radio Cabinet Coffee Bar Drink Station
Domestically Speaking - Easiest DIY Drawer Organization
Refresh Restyle - Mudroom Storage Idea
My Love 2 Create - Drawer Storage Shelf
Virginia Sweet Pea - 2 x 4 DIY Shelving Unit Storage Shelf
Thrift Diving DIY Peg Board Organizer (late entry, not seen in image above)
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Hi, there! Iām Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. Iām obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful againāmyself included! I hope youāll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way⦠literally!
Effective Presenter
Old drawers often quality wood and quality construction you did a GREAT job on the dog bed, etc.
Our 17yo male Chihuahua I plan to make a new bed for him with a heavy old drawer - casters I think I will use casters on the bottom and not bun feet. Navy blue and red a coastal or nautical theme bed.
Dozens of uses for old drawers.
Kevin
Gail Wilson
Awesome plan Kevin!
Your pup will love it, I'm sure!
gail
Marie from The Interior Frugalista
First of all, Lulu Mae is adorable and so is that hot flamingo pink! Great idea for repurposing an old drawer and how lucky is she to have such girly girl bed.
Brette
Everytime I see a picture of Lulu, I want to pick her up and hug her.
Gail Wilson
Me too Brette! She's so sweet!
thanks for checking out her new toy box.
gail
Julie@followyourheartwoodworking
Cuteness overload!
Kim Six
I love the addition of the belt! What a great project and how fun that Lulu Mae has a fun place to store all her toys!
Serena @ Thrift Diving
This is so cute, Gail!! Lulu Mae is such a little diva. š The black and pink are the perfect touch. Pinned this! š
Mindi
Gail this is so perfect!! I love how it turned out the pink and black it perfect! I am impressed she puts her toys away too! Great job, pinning!
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking
Gail that turned out SO cute!
DeDe Designed Decor
OMG! LuLu is so darn cute! I would melt ever time I would look at her. Love the toy storage idea. I use one of these for my Cinnamon too, except she doesn't look like a little-stuffed toy if she was in hers.
Paula
Lulu Mae is cute as a button and I know she loves her new toy storage box. You made it so cute with the leather belt handles and the vinyl transfers. My Sherman's toys are always all over our house. You have to be extra careful at night when walking around because there's sure to be a toy underfoot. If I see a drawer on the side of the road, I need to make one of these for Sherman.
Gail Wilson
I totally get the "at night" problems. I've stepped on my share of bones and sharp toys! š With the toy box drawer being low and large, Lulu can easily get to her toy of choice. Let me know if you make one for your Sherman!
gail
Karen @ The DIY Bungalow
Oh my goodness - how cute is that? Of course, how adorable is Miss Lulu Mae, too?!? What a great idea. Pinning and sharing!
I wonder if I could find a deep drawer and do this for Elvis and Hank? Of course, they couldn't sit in it!
Gail Wilson
Karen,
I think you'd have DIY it and make your own box for your boys! š
gail
Jeanie
Lulu Mae is one little spoiled puppy! This is the cutest doggy bed / toy box I've ever seen - I love the colors and the belt handles . . . let's just say that old belts will now be on my list when I got to estate sales and flea markets! Pinning.
Gail Wilson
Yes! Jeanie, pick up some leather belts next time you thrift. You'll find all kinds of uses for them.
gail
Wendi@H2OBungalow
Too cute! Who can resist a pretty pup in a picture. Lulu May is one loved little girl. Loving the little mini bun feet you made for her bed, she's stylin' now! Pinned and shared š
Cassie Bustamante
snowball needs this in her life! she makes a mess of her toys though... they're always all over!
Jen
Your puppy is so cute! Thanks for the idea of adding color to the belt. That little touch adds so much.