Small stepstools can be very useful for children. Not only does it give them a place to sit that is just their size, it can also help in a bathroom space for washing hands, brushing teeth, etc. This adorable rubber ducky themed stepstool only takes a few hours to create but will be loved by your child for a long time to come.
For this project, you will need:
– Unfinished wooden stepstool (available at craft supply shops)
– Medium or fine grit sandpaper
– Tack cloth or other soft cloth
– Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White
– Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Bright Idea
– Bubble print scrapbook paper (available at scrapbook supply shops)
– Bright yellow cardstock
– Bright orange cardstock
– White cardstock
– Black cardstock
– Rubber duck shaped stencil
– Ruler
– Pencil
– Craft knife
– Self-healing mat
– Elmer’s glue stick
– Mod Podge or other decoupage medium
– Sponge brush
– Polyurethane sealant
– Newspaper and/or a large drop cloth
Before starting this stepstool project, it is important that you choose a work area that is well ventilated and covered in either newspaper sheets or a drop cloth. Place the unfinished wooden stepstool on a flat surface. Using either a sheet of medium or fine grit sandpaper, smooth down the surface of the wood. (Take special care to any areas that have natural wood elements, such as knots.) Wipe away any dust with a tack cloth or other soft cloth.
Prime the entire stepstool, including the underside, using Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White. Once the stool has dried for an hour or longer, paint it using five to six coats of Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Bright Idea. Allow the bright yellow paint to dry overnight.
Use a ruler to determine the exact top area of the step stool. Reduce this size by a half inch all around. Place the sheet of bubble print scrapbook paper onto the self healing mat. In pencil, create the measurement onto the paper. Cut out the bubble paper piece with a craft knife.
Lay the sheet of yellow cardstock onto the self-healing mat. In pencil, trace the duck outline from stencil. Cut the piece out. Cut out pieces of orange (beak), black (inner eye), and white (outer eye) from cardstock. Use a glue stick to attach the details of the duck to the body. Once dry, attach the duck shape to the center of the bubble paper piece. Allow the paper pieces to dry completely.
Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge or other decoupage medium to the back of the bubble paper with a sponge brush. Immediately adhere the paper to the center of the stepstool. Smooth the paper to prevent any wrinkling and/or bubbling. Dry overnight.
Use several coats of polyurethane sealant on the stool according to manufacturer directions. (This will enable your child to use and abuse the piece over several years.) Cure completely before using.
