Cat Planter
Project Size
21 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 6 3/8 inches
Tools Band saw or scroll saw
Supplies: 1x6 pine:
10 feet 1x4
pine: 6 feet
Wood glue
Finish nails
Americana Satins water-base enamel from DecoArt: soft natural #DSA40, honeycomb #DSA05, evening blue #DSA16,
hunter green #DSA24, birch bark #DSA09 and buttercream #DSA03
Paintbrushes
Graphite paper
Americana acrylic paint from DecoArt: black #DA67 and gooseberry pink #DA27
Project note
When base-coating, apply multiple coats as needed to cover, letting dry after each application.
Cutting
1. From 1x6, cut three 21 1/2-inch lengths (for sides and bottom of box), and two 4-inch lengths (for ends
of box).
2. Cut three cats from 1x4 and two cats from remaining 1x6 as indicated on patterns below.
For 1 X 4 cat pattern
For 1 X 6 pattern
3. Sand edges smooth.
Assemble & finish
1. Glue and nail bottom piece to bottom edges of side pieces with outer edges flush. Glue and nail sides and
bottom to end pieces with edges flush.
2. Base-coat interior and exterior of box with buttercream, leaving box front unpainted.
3. Base-coat fronts and backs of cats as follows: 11-inch 1x4 cat and 11-inch 1x6 cat, honeycomb; 12 1/2-inch
1x4 cat and 13 1/2-inch 1x6 cat, soft natural; 11 3/4-inch 1x4 cat, birch bark. Note: Base-coat all of fronts and sides of
cats; base-coat upper portions only (above top edge of box) on backs. Using photo as a guide, paint "stripes" on soft natural
cats with honeycomb, and on birch bark cat with soft natural.
4. Place box on work surface with front side facing up. Position cats along front of box with bottom edges
even; glue in place. Let dry overnight.
5. Use graphite paper to transfer detail to cats. Paint detail as follows:
Noses and inner ears -- paint with gooseberry pink. With black, outline nose and paint muzzle line;
paint a few accent lines inside each inner ear. Highlight nose with soft natural.
Eyes and whiskers -- with black, dot eyes and freckles; paint eyelashes and whiskers. Highlight eyes
with soft natural. Collars and tags -- paint each collar using either hunter green, sage green or evening blue. Paint each
tag to coordinate or contrast with collars. Paint rings on tags with black.
