Ashley Makes: DIY Busy Board

I found a really cool project while browsing Pinterest:  a busy board  (the busy board by Millionayres in particular)! I have never seen such a thing, but the moment I saw it I knew I had to make it.   I made use of some scrap 1×12 boards, spray painted it black and yellow, and purchased a variety of items to attach to the board.   In this post, I’ll share the steps I took for creating a busy board for our busy little boy!

Disclosure:  This post contains some affiliate links.

Tools and Supplies

The following items are some of the tools and supplies I gathered to make the busy board:

• 2 – 1×12 boards 36 inches long
• Kreg Jig (for joining the two boards)
• Silhouette (for creating the caution stencil)
• Yellow spray paint
• Black spray paint
• Painters tape
• Contact paper (material used to creating the Silhouette stencil)
• Daddy Van’s Beeswax (for sealing the project)
• Cotton Terry Cloth Applicators
• OOK ReadyNail Large Sawtooth Hanger
• OOK Picture Hangers

Busy Items

• Door Chain
• Locking Hasp
• Spring Door stop
• Bells
• Caster wheel

Creating the Busy Board

Step 1:  Join the 1×12 boards.

I wanted to make use of lumber I had on hand, so for my board I used my Kreg Jig to join two 36″ long 1×12 boards.

1×12 Boards joined together with Kreg Jig pocket holes

Step 2:  Spray paint the with base color.

Next, I spray painted the board with yellow spray paint.

Spray painted the board yellow

Step 3:  Create caution stencil.

I created a caution stencil with the message, “CAUTION:  CHILD AT PLAY” from my Silhouette and Contact paper.   I followed the Shanty sister’s tutorial on creating a stencil with Contact paper to get the perfect cut setting on my Silhouette.  You can download my Silhouette cut file here.

Step 4:  Apply caution stencil and painters tape.

I applied the caution stencil to the board and used painters tape to tape off diagonal stripes.

Taped and ready for black paint

Step 5:  Spray paint with secondary color.

Next, I spray painted the entire board with black spray paint.  Once I removed the stickers I was a little disappointed to notice a few areas where the stencil and tape were not completely stuck to the board.  This resulted in a few fuzzy spots.  Fortunately, if you stand from a distance the flaw is not noticeable.

Spray painted the board with black paint

Stencil and painters tape removed

Step 6:  Seal the board.

I used Daddy Van’s Beeswax to apply a protective coat on the board.  This is my first project using beeswax.  Daddy Van’s was really easy to apply and I am quite pleased with the results.   It gets bonus points for no smelly fumes and easy clean up!

Daddy Van’s Furniture Polish

Beeswax applied

Step 7:  Install the busy hardware.

Now, here’s the fun part:  installing the hardware!  I made a trip to the hardware store and I purchased the following busy little items:

• Door Chain
• Locking Hasp
• Spring Door stop
• Bells
• Caster wheel

I also made a trip to Michael’s to purchase some bells.  I strung the bells on cord and attached it to the board as well.

If you use a door stop, secure the tip with glue.

Locks and a caster wheel

Bells from Michael’s

Step 8:  Hang the board!

In hindsight, I should have installed the picture framing hardware prior to installing the busy hardware.  It would have made this step a little easier.   I installed two large OOK Sawtooth hangers on the back of the board.  I then installed two 20 pound OOK Picture hangers on my drywall.

OOK Picture Hanging Hardware

If you have never used this picture hanging system, I recommend you check it out.  It made this step a breeze!

Busy Board prior to hanging

Busy Board prior to hanging

The Finished Busy Board

The Busy Board was an instant hit for my little guy.  He is most attracted to the spring door stop and caster wheels.  I am pretty happy with how the project turned out as well!  I do have a few more spots that I’d like to fill in, perhaps with a mirror and a push light.

The finished busy board

The finished busy board

The kid approves

The post DIY Busy Board appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

Ashley Makes: DIY Volcano Stacker

Using scrap lumber, I made a little volcano stacker.  I created the stacker using a pattern from Erin Freuchtel-Dearing’s book, Natural Wooden Toys.  The stacker was a really simple and easy project.  I was able to complete the project within one afternoon using supplies I had on hand.  Best of all, the toy seems to be a hit with the little guy!

The  Tools and Supplies

Natural Wooden Toys by Erin Freuchtel-Dearing

The following is a list of a few tools and supplies I gathered to create the volcano stacker:

• Natural Wooden Toys Book
• Scroll Saw
• Scrap Lumber
• Acrylic Paint
• Mod Podge
• Dremel (for sanding the curves)

Making the Stacker

Step 1:  Prepare the board.

I grabbed a 1×12 board from my scrap wood pile and gave it a really good sanding.

Prepping the scrap lumber

Step 2:  Trace the pattern.

Using tracing paper, I made a copy of the volcano stacker pattern from the book.  I then applied the pattern to my board.

Volcano stacker project in the book

Pattern applied to the board

Step 3:  Cut  out the shape and sand the edges.

Next, I used my scroll saw to cut out the four pieces that made up the volcano.  I then sanded down the rough edges.

Scrolling complete

Step 4:  Paint and seal the stacker.

I used acrylic craft paints and followed the same color scheme as the project in the book.  Once the paint dried I applied Mod Podge (Matte Finish) to seal the stacker.

The Completed Stacker

Overall, I am pretty happy with the final project.  However, next stacker there are two things I would do differently.  One, I would do a better job sanding the edges.  Sanding is my least favorite thing to do!  In this project I took a shortcut there and it shows.  Two, I would take my time painting and sealing.  Once again, I took a shortcut and it shows.  Now, my little boy could care less!  He is really drawn to the toy and has not become bored of it yet.   I am super excited about trying other projects from the book and experimenting with original designs of my own!

DIY Volcano Wooden Stacker

DIY Volcano Wooden Stacker

DIY Volcano Wooden Stacker separated

DIY Volcano Wooden Stacker separated

DIY Volcano Wooden Stacker separated

The post DIY Volcano Wooden Stacker appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

Ashley Unboxes: Citrus Lane March 2015 Package

The March 2015 package has arrived!  Our Citrus Lane package targets a young boy between the age of 10 – 12 months old.  Let’s take a look inside.

The Contents

March 2015 Package Message

March 2015 Package Contents

Inside our March Citrus Lane package we found the following items:

• Bow Tie from Baby Bow Tie (MSRP $25.00?)
• Tweat Snack Ball from Ubbi (MSRP $9.99)
• First Play Peek a Boo Panda Wooden Toy from Melissa & Doug (MSRP $7.99)
• Bubble Bath from Johnson & Johnson
• Head to Toe Baby Wash from Johnson & Johnson

In addition to those items we received a 20% off coupon at ubbiworld.com, and a 15% off coupon at melissaanddoug.com.

First Impressions

Here are my initial impressions on each item we received this month.

Bow Tie from Baby Bow Tie

Bow Tie from Baby Bow Tie

Bow Tie from Baby Bow Tie

I was really excited to find this cute little bow tie in our package.  This is my first exposure to the company Baby Bow Tie.  The tie is well made, and best of all has a magnetic closure for easy dressing.  The strap is also adjustable.   The age range for the tie is newborn to 8 years.  This little tie is a keeper!

Tweat Snack Ball from Ubbi

Tweat Snack Container

Tweat Snack Container

The Tweat Snack Ball is a pretty neat container.  It features two big handles for easy holding, a soft spill guard (my favorite feature), an attached lid plus it leans and wobbles.  This is my first exposure to Ubbi and the container comes at the perfect timing for us.  I have not purchased any snack containers yet so the Tweat snack ball will see a lot of use from us.

First Play Peek a Boo Panda from Melissa & Doug

First Play Peek a Boo Panda

First Play Peek a Boo Panda

First Play Peek a Boo Panda

I am normally a big fan of wooden toys, but I am not crazy for the First Play Peek a Boo Panda from Melissa & Doug.  I will give it time to grow on me.  The arms on the Panda flip back and forth for a game of hide and seek.  It kept my son entertained for a couple of minutes before he was ready to move on to something else, but I think it may grow on him as well.

April 2015 Update:

This toy has really grown on him.  My little guy will sit for a few minutes quietly flipping the arms back and forth.

Bubble Bath and Head to Toe Baby Wash from Johnson & Johnson

Bubble Bath and Head to Toe Baby Wash from Johnson & Johnson

There really is not much to say here.  Due to skin sensitivities this is not something I will be using on my little one.

Final Thoughts

March’s Citrus Lane package was a good package for us.  I think it is on par with February’s package.  I love our bow tie and I really look forward to using our Tweat Snack Ball.  I do miss receiving the little board books.

Here’s to hoping April’s package will have one!

The post Citrus Lane March 2015 Unboxing appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

Ashley Unboxes: Citrus Lane February 2015 Package

The February 2015 package has arrived!  Our Citrus Lane package targets a young boy between the age of 9 – 12 months old.  Let’s take a look inside.

The Contents

February 2015 Package Contents

Inside our February Citrus Lane package we found the following items:

• Silicone Bowl from Oogaa (MSRP $8.99)
• Llama Shaker from Green Tones (MSRP $9.00)
• Wobble-A-Round from Manhattan Toy Company (MSRP $10.00)
• Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer (Travel Size) from Juice Beauty (MSRP $1.12)

In addition to those items, we received a 25% off coupon at oogaa.com, a 10% off coupon at gogreentones.com, a 20% off coupon at manhattantoy.com, a 20% off coupon at juicebeauty.com and a 15% off coupon at citruslane.com/shop for teething and feeding items.

Check out the unboxing video below:

First Impressions

Here are my initial impressions on each item we received this month.

Silicone Bowl

Silicone Bowl from Oogaa

The silicone bowl is interesting.  It is not something I would have purchased and I am not a point where I am ready to introduce items such as bowls or plates. I am not sure how often this will get used.

Llama Shaker from Green Tones

Llama Shaker from Green Tones

I own several products from the Green Tones line of musical instruments.   I was pretty excited to see this shaker in our February package.  The shaker is well made and it produces a pleasant sound.  It is not a loud instrument and I think it sounds better than the Green Tones Egg Maracas.

Wobble-A-Round from Manhattan Toy Company

Wobble-A-Round from Manhattan Toy Company

I like this bead run from the Manhattan Toy Company.  It is small, which will make it a nice toy to keep in the diaper bag.

Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer from Juice Beauty

Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer (Travel Size) from Juice Beauty

This is my first exposure to Juice Beauty.   I think it is interesting that the moisturizer is certified organic, but there are other products that I prefer to use.

Final Thoughts

February’s Citrus Lane package is a big improvement over January’s package.   I am pretty happy with this month’s contents.  I have one minor complaint:  there was no new book!  In our past packages, the books were always my favorite item.  I would take a new book over the silicone bowl.

Here’s  to hoping March’s package is even better!

The post Citrus Lane February 2015 Unboxing appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

Ashley Reviews: Janod Crazy Doggy Babywalker

Crazy Doggy Baby Walker Review

I recently discovered this toy company from France called Janod.  They have lots of really colorful and cute toys.  While browsing through their collection I came across the most adorable baby walker I have seen so far:  the Crazy Doggy Babywalker (there is also a totes adorbs bunny version).  I was sold.

The Assembly

Once it arrived, I immediately assembled it.   Putting it together was fairly straight forward.  You do need to have a screwdriver handy.  Screwing the dog’s head on place was the hardest part.  I think my screw was stripped or something, because any screwdriver head I picked would slip.

Disassembled crazy doggy baby walker

Assembled crazy doggy baby walker

A Problem Emerges

Up to this point, I was feeling pretty good about the walker.  That is, until I discovered it was not leveled!  The back wheel was suspended in the air and not touching the floor as the other wheels.  When weight was applied to the handle, the opposite wheel in the front was then suspended in the air.

Back wheel suspended in the air

The Problem Resolved

I was very disappointed to experience this issue, because I really had high hopes for the walker.   Fortunately, the customer service department for Janod is great!   I contacted Janod, explained my issue and they quickly remedy the situation.   My replacement base is perfect, and I am now a very happy customer.  I went from, “I’ll never purchase another product from Janod” to “that train set of theirs will make a nice gift.”

Crazy Doggy Baby Walker

The walker is just as vibrant and colorful as the pictures depict.  The wheels are really nice and glide smoothly across the floor.  The little man just loves the bell on the dog’s collar.  He has so much fun playing with it.

You can check out the walker in action below:

Final Thoughts

Would Ashley purchase this again (on a scale of yes, maybe and no)? Yes!

Pros:

• Cute and colorful (but not obnoxious colorful)
• Made of wood
• The wheels glide nicely
• Janod has great customer service

Cons:

• Initial base was poorly constructed

The post Ashley Reviews: Crazy Doggy Baby Walker from Janod appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.

Ashley Reviews: pipSquigz

pipSquigz is the most successful teether I have used to date.   The shape makes it easy for tiny hands to grasp.   My son loves this teether.  He likes that it rattles when you shake it, but his favorite use for it is chewing!

pipSquigz

Watch my video below to see the teether in action:

The video captures my son’s first day using the teether.  He was about 4 months old at the time this was recorded.

I purchased my pipSquigz here.   It costs $19.99 for the three shapes. The pipSquigz are BPA-free, made of silicone, and dishwasher safe.  I make sure I grab one before I leave the house.  We are very pleased with it!

Would Ashley purchase this again (on a scale of yes, maybe and no)?  YES!

Pros:

• Easy for tiny hands to grab
• Easy to chew on
• Rattles
• Easy to clean, dishwasher safe

Cons:

• Pricey

The post Ashley Reviews: pipSquigz appeared first on Handmade with Ashley.