DIY American Girl Doll Potting Bench

Above is my finished version of an American Girl doll potting bench.

       We're setting up a play garden area on our back patio this summer, that is, as soon as the rain stops pouring and the sunshine shows it's face!

Left, craft supplies, Center, wooden drying rack, 
Right I'm testing to see if the rack will fit inside the lid of my shoebox.

The potting bench is glued
 together but not yet painted.

       A doll sized, faux wooden work bench for the little girl who loves to play at gardening, can be any size. However, I will include the exact measurements of the one pictured with this post for those of you who would like to build it with similar proportions.

Supply List:

• decorative paper with rustic wooden motif
• cardboard + a shoe box
• masking tape
• hot glue and hot glue gun
• large wooden craft sticks (tongue depressors)
• white school glue 
• Mod Podge
• slatted wooden tray insert (optional)
• small plastic hooks
• Sculpey or oven bake clay
• plastic molds of garden tools, doll size

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. I believe that I used the lid of a shoebox to make the upper counter of this potting bench, but I may have cut it down a bit. It measures 16" x 6 1/2". Turning the lid of a cardboard shoebox over makes for an easier method, however I wanted to include the wooden drying rack on the table top, so I fit the cardboard counter for this.
2. Cut the bottom cardboard piece the same length and width. The center shelf measures 13 1/2" x 5". The backsplash wall at the top measures 16" x 6". All three shelves and back splash were cut from of heavy cardboard.
3. I covered the cardboard pieces with decorative paper having a rustic wooden motif using Mod Podge.
4. Then I cut large wooden craft sticks to make the legs. I cut 12 of these to 9" in length.
5. Next, tape the legs into triangular shapes, using three tongue depressors for each leg. 
6. Then hot glue the legs in place supporting the top, resting on the bottom cardboard sheet. 
7. Carefully hot glued the inner shelf in place.
8. The backsplash was glued in place last along with two additional supports cut from tongue depressors. 
9. After the assembly of the potting bench, you may wish to paint the wooden parts of the potting bench in a similar fashion.  
10. Use acrylic paints that will dry fast in the sunshine, otherwise your structure could warp a bit.
11. Add a few hooks for garden tools onto the backsplash.
12. I also found a plastic mold for garden tools at my local hobby shop. From this mold I sculpted a pair of grass sheers, a hand shovel and a hand rake to paint and hang from those hooks.
13. I purchased a small wooden bird house, crate, and wheelbarrow from a resale shop down the street. 
14. The lowest shelf is perfect for our dolls to store their garden boots too! 
15. Now our American Girl dolls can garden whenever they please on our back patio this summer!

Here you can see the triangular legs for our bench made from wooden tongue depressors.

The potting bench pictured both with and without the wooden drying rack. I purchased this for two dollars at resale.

The front and backside of our glued, faux wooden planting bench.

Plastic mold for sculpting garden tools.

Craft a Watering Can For Your Doll's Garden

A finished sample of a paper mache watering can for our
American Girl Dolls to add to their garden supplies.

    You can craft your own watering can from recycled materials found at home. This one, however, is just for show, not for actual use!

 Supply List:

• green spray paint or green acrylic paint
• decorative floral or veggie themed paper (optional)
• Mod Podge
• frozen juice can 
• plastic funnel shape
• paper toilet role tube
• masking tape
• paper wrapped wire from coffee bean bag
• permanent black ink pen or black acrylic paint
• cardboard from a discarded cereal box 
• hot glue gun and hot glue

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Cut a frozen juice can down to 2 1/2 inches. Cover it with masking tape.
2. Cut from a piece of cardboard cereal box the top opening of your watering can and attach it to the recycled juice container with masking tape. While you do this, you might wish to bend this flimsy material in a slight arc. Many watering cans com with this dome shape. (see photos below)
3. Now cut the toilet paper tube in half lengthwise and tape it into a funnel form. Cut and clip it down to the approximate size you would like for the watering can's spout. Mine measures three inches. 
4. Attach the spout with masking tape.
5. Use hot to attach the plastic funnel to the tip of the spout.
6. Cut out a piece of circular cardboard to close the spout's end. Attach this with hot glue.
7. Use you glue gun again to attach the handle to the backside of the watering can. I used a covered wire found ordinarily on coffee bean bags. These make sturdy handles for doll mache projects.
8. Cover your doll's watering can with masking tape. See below.
9. I then chose to spray paint the watering can. You could paint this using whatever paint you have on hand.
10. Then I cut out some decorative scrap paper to decoupage on top of the painted can.
11. I also used the tip end of a toothpick to add tiny black dots to my watering can's spout. 
12. Make sure to use Mod Podge or similar clear drying glue to then seal all the surfaces of your doll's new garden tool.

The watering can is assembled from recycled pieces of plastic caps and paper tubes.

How To Recycle a Hammock for A Doll

My 18inch doll relaxing in the warm sunshine with her pet, under the trees.

       My doll's hammock is recycled from a pet hammock. (see below) After removing the ties and fabric, I sanded down the wooden arches and spray painted them red. Then I measured the original hammock and cut part of a quilt top to the same size. 

       The log cabin quilt scraps were saved from an earlier project and I thought the pattern would look cozy on the hammock. I lined the inside of the hammock with heavy canvas and then stitched everything together by hand. I then used the rods and ties from the former cat hammock to finish my dolly version of this quick project.

• Liberty Jane Doll Hammock Craft - made from tongue depressors
• Hammock Stand from Read Creations - made using PVC pipe

Left, the hammock is cut from an older log cabin quilt project and then lined with canvas to make it sturdy.
 I've set up the hammock on the patio.

The original small hammock was designed for a cat. I found this one at resale and worked it over for our
 family, 18 inch dolls.

Printable Brick Patios, Pergolas and Front Porches

Above, ivy growing on a white washed pergola; bricked in patio and walls beneath it.
More details include: cement fountain, white sash windows, a potted tree,
potted shrubs and white washed wicker chair and table.

       Printable scenes for your doll house windows in both red and tan brick. Paste them in windows, through door ways or on walls to add dimension and interest to your doll's home. Read and agree to Terms of Use, click on the images to download the largest files.

Above is a reddish tan (terracotta) bricked in patio with white doors and plants in white, wooden containers.

Above is a red tiled front porch entry, potted tree and intricate red brick work. Tile archways.

Above is a front porch entry including natural colored tile (terracotta colors too) work and brick walls,
 big oak stained door, through to an additional entry on the side.

Collage a Baby Swimming Pool for Your Dolls

First, apply the stickers to the inside walls of
the transparent container.

       It's fun to make this simple craft with containers you can recycle from your own kitchen. Cover it with fishy stickers and just a bit of paint and your ready to have a splashing good time with your dolls.

Supply List:

• a recycled food dish (plastic)
• fish stickers
• blue paint
• Mod Podge
• decorative paper (mine had printed tiles)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Clean the discarded, transparent food container with warm soap and water. Let it dry.
2. Adhere stickers on the inside of the container.
3. Apply Mod Podge to the inside of the container over the stickers. Let the glue dry between several applications.
4. Paint the outside of the container with blue paint and let this dry.
5. Decoupage clippings from a decorative sheet of paper on the exterior of the container if you want even more detail on the baby doll pool.
6. Layer Mod Podge on top of the outside walls as well.

Both Above and Below, you can see our Mary Kate doll baby sitting and having fun with the baby doll pool.

Refinish Wicker Doll Furnishings

The finished result after a couple hours of spray painting.

       In the 1970s and 1980s, it was popular to furnish doll houses with small wicker furniture; the alternative to plastic inflatables. Because wicker is not very strong, much of it did not survive the playtime I suppose.

       I picked the stool, side table and one chair on the first day and then I returned the following day to retrieve the second chair. When visiting resale in the city, I always return the day after I have purchased something in order to see if it is a part of a larger set. Doll furniture in specific, was and still is sold in sets from high end toy stores. By the time these little furnishings are donated by former owners, many pieces may be lost or shifted into multiple bags or boxes.

       I have also discovered that employees in my local resale shops, do not always put sets of doll furniture out on display all at once and they don't always bag these items together. So it is best to keep a close watch for matching items once you have discovered one piece that you want.

Old wicker doll furniture tossed out as trash. These items
will look great once they are repaired and repainted.

Supply List:

• old wicker doll furniture for upcycling
• your choice of spray paint 
• terry cloth towel
• dark green acrylic paint (for metal leaf design)
• fabric print to compliment the paint color
• two buttons
• needle and thread
• hot glue gun and hot glue (repair work)
• cotton or polyester stuffing

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Wipe down the old wicker with a clean terry cloth towel; try to remove as much dust and dirt as you can before painting these.
2. You may need to use a bit of hot glue to reweave some of the old wicker back around the arms or chair legs and tack it into place.
3. Prepare to spray paint this furniture in an outdoor space. I use large old cardboard boxes to spray paint items in. The clean up of these is easier; all I need to do is toss the used cardboard into recycling after the painting is done. The sides of the cardboard box help prevent the paint from coming into contact with anything beyond the object I am spray painting.
4. When spray painting wicker, it is best to do so very slowly, all the while turning the doll furniture from side to side, upside down and right side up as the wicker dries. It take many light coats of paint and spraying between the gaps takes time. But the results are like new!
5. After coating the wicker entirely and letting the paint dry, I then used a small paint brush to apply some darker green acrylic paint to the decorative metal leaves at the foot of the stool. This step highlighted the raised areas in the stamped metal.
6. To make the two tiny pillows, simply draw a circle pattern for the seats and trace it out onto a fabric four times. Make a seam allowance of 1/4 inch around all four circles before cutting the fabric. 
7. Cut and sew a straight stitch around the circles with their right sides facing in. Leave an opening for each pillow of about 1 inch wide.
8. Now clip around each pillow's edge to help turn them inside out properly. Be careful not to clip through the straight seam!
9. Turn the fabric pillows inside out and stuff them with a little bit of cotton or polyester stuffing.
10. Use a whip stitch to sew shut the opening.
11. Thread the needle again with a matching thread and sew a button each into the middle of both pillows.

Left, I use large old cardboard boxes to spray paint items in. The clean up of these is easier;
all I need to do is toss the used cardboard into recycling after the painting is done.
Center, It take many light coats of paint and spraying between the gaps takes time.
Right, the results are like new!

Left, I used a small paint brush to apply some darker green acrylic paint to the decorative metal
 leaves at the foot of the stool. This step highlighted the raised areas in the stamped metal.
Center, I chose to sew tiny pillows for each chair as well. Right, Each pillow has a decorative
 button sewn in the middle.

DIY a birdbath for a doll's garden

The duck 'floats' on top of the clear plastic
 sheet as though he is swimming and the  grey
papier-mâché pulp makes our birdbath look
 just like a real life concrete version!

       To begin this project, you will need the help of an adult to cut away the birdbath form from a recycled plastic bottle. Include the twist top cap in your cut as well. You can see below that I cut the clear plastic bottle along one of it's seams. The neck of this recycled bottle will become the birdbath's  pedestal. I also cut away the bottom of my bottle to glue to the top of the pedestal. This part will become the birdbath basin.

Supply List:

• one recycled juice bottle, clear plastic
• papier-mâché pulp
• masking tape
• tiny sea shells
• hot glue and hot glue gun
• a recycled piece of plastic sheet
• a box cutter or sharp Exacto knife or a sharp pair of scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut out the parts of your doll's birdbath with adult supervision. This part of the project can be a bit tricky. The plastic bottle has slick surfaces and your cutting tools could slip!
2. Cover the pedestal with masking tape. I left the green lid at the bottom unmasked because I liked the color of it.
3. Hot glue the birdbath basin, cut from the bottom of the recycled plastic bottle, onto the top of the pedestal.
4. Mix together just a small amount of papier-mâché pulp according to the directions on the side of the bag. 
5. Apply a thin coat of pulp around the outside of the pedestal and also to the underside of the birdbath basin. Let the birdbath dry in the sunshine for a day or two until the paper pulp has hardened.
6. I cut a circle shape from a second sheet of plastic from a discarded folder to hot glue on top of the basin. This makes the basin look as though it is full of water. Only hot glue the edges of the plastic to the top of the basin.
7. Now cover the edges of the basin with more paper pulp. 
8. Push a few tiny shells into it's surface for decoration.
9. You may wish to spray the papier-mâché pulp surfaces with an acrylic sealer after the birdbath has dried thoroughly in the sun.

Far Left, the recycled lemonade bottle. Use a clear plastic bottle for this craft so that the papier-mâché pulp may
 be seen clearly. Next, is the bottle cut apart so that you can see which pieces of the bottle I chose to construct
the birdbath with. Center, is the dried, paper pulp covered birdbath. Right, the same seen from above.

DIY Pool Floats for Your Doll

This inflatable, Barbie pool with solid colored pool floats dates from the mid seventies. It is in excellent condition.
The straw float craft is an easy one, but like most of the crafts included here, children need adult supervision to complete it.

        Now is the time for having some fun in the sun with your dolls! Above is an inflatable pool and blue floats from my childhood collection. The straw floats with alternating colors are easy to make at home. But you will need adult supervision because these are melted together using a hot iron.

Supply List:

• drinking straws
• parchment paper (to protect the iron and other surfaces from melted plastic)
• iron and ironing board
• scissors
• clear plastic bags (this will act as a layer of glue)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose a pattern you would like for the pool floats. I alternated purple and green straws for one pool float and teal and red straws for the other.
2. Heat up your iron to it's highest temperature, and ask your parent to watch and help you in your progress.
3. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on the ironing board. The parchment will separate the straws from the hot iron and keep the appliance clean from melted plastic. The parchment is very necessary for this craft.
4. Lay the straws side by side and then layer a sheet of plastic bag on top of the straws and fold the parchment paper over the straws before pressing them with the hot iron.
5. Press down on top of the parchment with the hot iron. It only take a few seconds to melt the straws together.
6. Now lift the parchment and remove the melted straws carefully.
7. Turn off the iron.
8. Trim the excess plastic around the edges of the straws. Turn the straws over; the front side of your melted straws should not appear melted.
9. You can trim the edges of the straws with scissors if these are uneven.
10. Now your 12" dolls have new floats for the pool to play with!

Left, fold the parchment paper over the straws before pressing them with the hot iron. Center, Trim the excess plastic
 around the edges of the straws. Turn the straws over; the front side of your melted straws should not appear melted.
Right, Now your 12" dolls have new floats for the pool to play with!

Christmas Yard Art for Your Doll House

       Wire frames like these are easy to find in thrift shops. I paid less than a dollar for each of mine. These are just the right size for standard sized 12 inch fashion dolls. Some of my packages have removable lids so that little ones can fill them with real gifts come Christmas!

We don't have any snow on the ground here in Missouri right now, so my garden evergreens will need to suggest the season.

Supply List:

• wire sleigh and wire reindeer forms (found at resale shop)
• Christmas wrapping paper or Christmas scrapbook paper
• cherry red spray paint
• red wire
• gold beads
• small cardboard boxes
• Christmas Washi Tape

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Wash the wire shapes, the sleigh and reindeer, with warm soap and water. Let them dry completely in the sunshine.
2. Place both in a scrap cardboard box to keep your work place clean.
3. I spray paint in the outdoors only. Read the directions on the spray paint can and follow them carefully.
4. Spray an even coat of paint. Let it dry for twenty minutes and repeat several times. Turn the objects between paint applications in order to cover all the surfaces bright cherry red.
5. Now you can wrap tiny boxes with Christmas paper and then decorate them with Christmas Washi tape.
6. I also used a red wire and gold beads to randomly wrap the figure of the reindeer.
7. Display this miniature yard art on the front lawn of your doll house whenever you'd like your dolls to celebrate Christmas.

Left, green wire sleigh. Center, spray painting the wire elements. Right, small, Christmas wrapped packages.

Left, a wire frame in the shape of a reindeer. Center, spray painting the reindeer. Right, the reindeer dry and on display.

Craft Lawn Care Tools for A Doll's House/Garage

Above left, You can see how I have shaped ordinary plastic forks and spoons into shovels
and a leaf rake using tape and paper mache pulp. Above right, a Barbie or Ken doll would
 be the appropriate size for the use of tools like these.

       The lawn care tools that I have made here are for a twelve inch doll. Later, I will include a craft about the making of a storage shed or tool shed to keep your doll's tools stored away. Until then, you can put them in a doll garage.

Supply List:

• plastic forks and spoons
• masking tape
• white school glue
• aluminum foil tape
• paper mache pulp
• sturdy scissors
• acrylic paints: green and black
• scrap corrugated cardboard
• clear acrylic sealer or Mod Podge

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. For the snow shovel, cut the handle from a plastic spoon, but leave enough of the spoon's lip to sandwich it between a corrugated cardboard cut out of a shovel shape along with a few drops of glue. 
2. Then tape this attachment firmly in place and let it dry.
3. Mask the lower snow shovel with aluminum tape and the upper handle with masking tape.
4. Now paint and seal the handle with green acrylic paint and clear acrylic sealer. 
5. The garden shovel is made from a plastic spoon and a bit of paper mache pulp. 
6. Cover the entire plastic spoon with masking tape.
7. Mix and shape the paper pulp around the spoon head to mimic a real garden shovel. You may find that looking at a real garden shovel improves this process.
8. Let the shovel dry until it is hard before finishing the project. This may take a day or two of leaving the spoon in the sunshine.
9. Cover this handle with aluminum tape and paint the hardened spoon head shovel black.
10. Seal the garden shovel with clear acrylic or Mod Podge.
11. For the leaf rake, you will need to cut the handles from the tines of two plastic forks.
12. Tape firmly together the remaining eight tines to only one of the fork handles.
13. Mask the entire surface of your leaf rake down to the fork tines only.
14. Cover the tines of the rake with aluminum tape only.
15. Layer and smooth enough paper pulp over the root extension of the fork pieces to create a rake like looking tool.
16. Let the pulp harden in the sun for a few days and paint it green before spraying the entire surface with clear acrylic.

More Garden Sheds:

• More Garden Sheds Among These Photos