This morning I thought I would recap one of my crazy ideas from last year making cardboard doll furniture. I had this idea after my daughter’s high chair, stroller, and crib were recalled for lead contamination. I did some research on how to make cardboard furniture and how I wished I knew French. I found some amazing pieces but most of the How-To(s) were all in French. I did find some great references in English one was from Instructables and the other was from Curbly, but I was still on my own for design and I really didn’t know if it would work. I then found a website called Just Build Stuff and found wonderful CAD Drawings of a High Chair.
I then started constructing that high chair out of cardboard, hot glue, and duct tape.
Please keep in mind I was pregnant when I constructed this so photos were not on the top of my list.
I then decided to make an Eco-Friendly paper mache covering out of flour and water (recipe to follow.) I then cut up a ton of strips of brown paper bag and got to work.
I then painted the chair white an Eco-Friendly Primer and it is still white and still standing to this day! It has outlasted a crib and a bouncy seat for her dolls.
Here is the crib I made for her. It has a drawer for doll clothes but still isn’t finished. I went on bed rest before I had a chance to finish it.
We use it unfinished – baby Mary loves her crib.
The crib is extremely sturdy and the drawer works great for storing doll clothes. It also with stood a kitty (before we had to get rid of our kitty.)
Flour Paper Mache Recipe:
1 cup flour
5 cup water
*8-10 drops of Lavender Oil
*1 tsp of Salt
*Optional
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Mix remaining cup of water with flour. Add flour mixture a little at a time, until mixture is gone. Once flour is completly added stir and let boil for 2-3 minutes. Mixture should not be lumpy and should be the consistency of glue. Use immediately or store for up to a week in the refrigerator.
Who Are You Calling Crafty? 