READ ME: A short story about a bookcase.

I love being able to create.  I love to build.  I love doing things that people will also love.  It's the reason why I volunteered to do the Preschool Class Craft for Maben's preschool fundraiser...again!  I wanted to outdo what I did last year.  I set the bar pretty high and I delivered.  (I am so screwed for next year, Colton will start preschool at the same preschool Maben is currently at.  I need to start planning now.)

I was inspired after cruising Pinterest one night.  (I will be back pinning soon since the new terms of service are much better than the previous ones, just waiting for them to be active)  I saw a bookcase that was 16 blocks that stated READ YOUR BOOK CASE.  I thought it was genius and decided to take the idea and put my spin on it.

I drew out some measurements (no plans here).  Actually, it was all a bunch of chicken scratches on the top of one of the boards.  Here is a quick photo story of how it all came together.

Dry fit of the cubes.

Assembly started, after dry fit and cutting 20 dadoes.

This was my first time cutting dadoes with a router and I didn't screw it up!  YAY!  Actually, the only thing I screwed up was the measurement of the two side pieces, which had to be re-cut.

Assembly of all the connected shelves.

Backing and floating shelves installed.  Onto painting.

They insisted on helping.

Side note: If I ever build this again, painting will happen before assembly.  Trying to paint all those nooks and crannies almost caused me to go insane.

After a nice healthy layer of paint was applied, it was carted up to the school and I hand printed the teachers and children.  (All names have been removed for their privacy).

I added some lettering, ala the style of Eric Carle after all the hand printing was done.  I love the way it has turned out.  Very fun!

I clear coated the entire piece.  This way dirty little fingers will wipe off much easier.  Once the piece was complete I carted it off to the Woodworking Show in Katy to display it with my woodworking guild's booth.  You are looking at the Vice President of the Katy Woodworkers Guild (soon to be President).  I had to show something off and this was perfect!

So perfect and I love it so much, that I just might have to come home with it after the preschool fundraising auction!  Yes, that means I will probably be bidding on a piece that I know how to build.  I also know how crazy that sounds.  I wouldn't mind building it again, I just really don't want to paint it again!

The only thing missing from it is a copy of, The Very Hungry Caterpillar , to be autographed by the entire class and placed in the bookcase before auction.

Showing this awesomeness off at:
Gluesticks 
Tatertots and Jello
Skip To My Lou
Sugar Bee Crafts
So I Married A Craft Blogger