Wednesday, January 7, 2015

DIY ikea doll/cat bed


When I first saw on Bored Panda, Japanese peeps had re-purposed Ikea's Duktig Doll Bed into a bed for their cats I knew I had to make one for Gremlin. Ever since I made my stools I've caught the woodmaking bug. I do need to point out that my skill level is that of a blind turtle. Whenever I'm making something and Ben questions why I'm doing it that way, I tell him because I love doing things on the bodge :) I really don't know any techniques I just kind of fumble as I go along, hence this is less of a DIY and more of a "if I can do it so can you" :)


I made myself a quick sketch of the pieces I'd need, I measured gremlin (challenge in itself!) and then I cut, sanded and varnished my pieces. I don't know how other woodworkers do it but after making sure I had all my measurements right my pieces were all a little off and thus the bed fit together slightly awkwardly. So my advice - measure at least a billion times before cutting!


I'd also love to say Gremlin, adores his bed and truth be told, after weeks of working on the beast, Gremlin not liking his bed was the least of my concern. I even held off posting this, in hope he'd come around to the idea and I'd have some insanely cute photos to show you but alas this is the closest he's been *sigh*


I honestly think he is a fool, I mean hand sewed tiny pillows and a super soft mattress to boot!


Ben had the great idea to stick my teddy bear, Mr Beeps, into the bed to make Gremlin jealous.


This also failed and the harsh realisation hit me that I, a 30 year of women had spent weeks making her teddy bear a bed to sleep in.

(I hid some ham under the pillow for this shot - ssssh!)

Can everyone pray tonight that Gremlin finally realises how awesome this bed is and sleeps on it, he's killing me!!

To make matters worse he actually sleeps on the floor like 2cm away from it, I'd like to think he just really prefers the floor but my instinct tells me otherwise. In 6 months I might be having a cat bed giveaway :P

15 comments:

  1. lol, too funny. especially keeping in mind that cats usually sleep on the weirdest things...

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    1. mmm, maybe I need to make it weirder or at least write a sign on it that says "not for Gremlin" :P

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  2. hahaha! he's totally rubbing it in your face, sleeping that close to the bed! i love your determination though. cats are jelous types - ben was definitely on to something with mr. beeps (love the name, btw), but it would seem that your pavlovian attempts to lure gremlin with ham was most successful. keep at it and we'll keep our fingers crossed for you! ;)

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    1. Maybe I should feed him dinner on the bed :P he he he
      I've even moved the bed around the house in case it was just the position he didn't like but alas that also failed! epic fail! I appreciate your encouragement though :)

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  3. oh my gosh! this is such a great DIY and your post had me laughing!! oh Gremlin~~ I know you are just in such awe of this magnificent bed ;)

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    1. :) :) exactly Jane, maybe he just doesn't want to wreck it through over use! Sometimes I wake up and think, "mmmm the cover looks like he could of possible slept on it" but I'm also sending myself mad, studying blanket creases :P

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  4. Oh!! hahahahaha, Gremlin seems to be Juno's little brother; no doubts they have exchanged stubbornness tricks ;) Don't worry about Gremlin's boycott, you should be super proud, the bed looks amazing, and those tiny pillows are adorable! I wouldn't know how to start with any wood project, the finishes look very smooth. Juno got two cute rat toys for the Three Kings yesterday from my mom and she has been also laying next to them ignoring with such an intensity! ;)

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    1. Twins!! Maybe Gremlin is suspicious of my wood making ways or overhead me talking to Ben whilst constructing it :P Shall we give our cats both a bit more time to come around to their awesome presents? *looks hopeful* :)

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  5. First off, I am so impressed that you made that! It looks amazing! It's too bad Gremlin doesn't want to get in there. Or maybe he is just so in awe that he doesn't dare come close in case he messes it up with cat hair;) That must be it!

    P.S.I totally should have tagged you for the tea tag too! So I'm doing it now. Although, if you don't feel like it, that's totally fine too. Anyway, I'm now linking you in the post too regardless;)

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    1. I like this suggestion that he just doesn't want to mess it up - yup that's it, definitely :) :) What an amazing cat I have :) he he he. Tea Challenge, I may fail at it simply because for the last 6 months I've just drunk chai but will admit to having a fancy collection of teas that I need to get back into :) I get stuck in my ways too easily!

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  6. Ahh Fee I don't think you should knock your wood crafting skills - I think this is super good!! Gremlin I can only assume is pulling a toddler, and protesting the change, give him time :) I laughed at the ham shot that's awesome :) P.s. love the book pile beside the bed hehehe

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    1. Ahh he is totally protesting the change, I think if Ben and I could lie in the bed he would be all over it. I'd attempt to just sit on it and pretend it was mine to use but I would probably break it :P Hopefully I can outlast Gremlin and his protest! :) :)

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  7. ahahahah Gremlin looks super funny <3

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  8. ps: they never sleep where they are supposed to o_O

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