DIY - Recycled Suitcase Dog Bed!
Okay, it's not the most life-changing DIY you've ever seen, but the sad, little dog bed my 4lb. Yorkie, Winnie called home (yeah, I know what you're thinking, but I promise I am not that type of girl...) needed some help! Store bought beds are easily $50 and not great quality, so I thought, "hey, maybe I can just make one." After much internet research, a perfect solution (and creative inspiration!) was found via Kristen, Etsy seller and winner of the Design*Sponge DIY challenge (below).
Because Winnie is so tiny and likes to nest in small spots, I knew an ordinary suitcase would be too big for her. Luckily, in the back of my closet I had this vintage Samsonite hat case that I've been carting around for years - finally, a reason to dust it off! Again, a stroke of luck when it turned out that Winnie's old dog bed was the perfect fit! Check out Kristen's instructions (scroll to the bottom) for how to sew a pillow to custom fit your suitcase.
Next, I bought a fun, vintage Afghan for $1 as it was riddled with holes, cut off the offending parts and used some left over yarn to sew a sleeve covering the old bed. I tucked in the open end at the bottom as I want to be able to remove it for washing. 
Next, add dog toys (which she immediately attacked!), her favorite blanket and viola! What was once kicked under the bed when guests arrived is now a conversation piece! All for $1. Doesn't get much better than that! Thanks Kristen!
Yeah, she likes it.
That is fucking adorable.
Posted by: Adam | April 18, 2008 at 12:43 AM
You are not kidding, that is one of the cutest things I've seen in a long time. Wish I had a dog to put in one!
Posted by: Ben Lyon | April 18, 2008 at 03:02 AM
I love these! my other blogging friend, TheWren, had also posted this dog bed idea and she and I both have large dogs, so we were saying we would need a trunk! You had the opposite experience. hahah. What you came up with is ADORABLE! Love it! So sweet!
In case you're interested, I'm seeking blogging buddies and curious people, to join me on a creative journey toward inspiration! Check it out at my blog - today is DAY ONE: http://nicoleleeartistry.wordpress.com
Thanks!
Nicole
http://nicoleleeartistry.etsy.com
Posted by: Nicole Catroppo | April 18, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Very cool! I have a HUGE collection of vintage cases!
Posted by: byABPryor | April 18, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Just adorable! Hmmm -- I have a kitty who would just love such a bed.
Posted by: Lovely | April 18, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Just found your blog and will be sure to return! May I post your link in our list of favorites on our Trash to Treasure blog?
http://trash2treasure.wordpress.com/
aj
Posted by: aj at Sophie's Cottage | April 19, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Sure AJ - I'd be honored!
Thanks!
- Veronica
Posted by: Veronica | April 19, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Soooo cute! I wish my dogs would fit in a stylish suitcase bed like that ;-)
Posted by: M&Co | April 21, 2008 at 01:51 AM
My only concern would be the lid falling onto the doggie, possibly trapping her inside. How do you keep that from happening?
Posted by: Theresa | May 09, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Hey! Thanks for all the great info. I was browsing through a bunch of green websites and blogs and I came across yours and found it very interesting. There are a bunch of others I like too, like the daily green, ecorazzi and earthlab.com. I especially like EarthLab.com’s carbon calculator (http://www.earthlab.com/signupprofile/). I find it really easy to use (it doesn’t make me feel guilty after I take it). Are there any others you would recommend? Can you drop me a link to your favorites (let me know if they are the same as mine).
Posted by: alex | May 09, 2008 at 01:56 PM
wicked.cute
Posted by: animalhouze | May 09, 2008 at 02:54 PM
What a great way to reuse a funky suitcase! A comfy bed with a built in toybox? What dog wouldn't like that ?!
Posted by: Condo Blues | May 12, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Theresa--my thoughts exactly. I have three boys and there's *no way* the lid would stay up unless I did something to make it stay that way. Glue the hinges? I don't know...
Posted by: Robin | May 15, 2008 at 06:44 PM
very neat idea!!
Posted by: Janet | May 16, 2008 at 04:18 AM
Actually, the hinges are so tight on this suitcase that they stay up all by themselves. Winnie is so little she could never pull it closed. But for other cases I've seen straps affixed to the lid to prevent it closing. I think the designer mentions it in her DIY instructions. Can you imagine coming home and finding Fido trapped in his suitcase? Not so funny! Well...a little :)
Posted by: Design^Sprout | May 16, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Thanks for your comments!
Posted by: Veronica | May 16, 2008 at 03:18 PM