Community Brag Posts

Rustic X Kitchen Island - Double

Submitted by katie0910 on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 11:53

This is my latest project and my first project post on my new blog. I've included some step-by-step photos on my blog. I'm using this kitchen island as a craft cart in my craft room. This project was so fun and easy to put together. I love how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Paint + Primer in Rushing Stream
Valspar Antiquing Glaze
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

NimbleShopper

Wed, 10/02/2013 - 06:52

We have a small house and my craft closet shares space with well other household stuff. :( My sewing table is the computer table when my self employed husband doesn't need to work. Your work has give me a great idea for a roll away craft table. Something like this could really work for me. Thanks for posting it, and good work!

spagirlval

Thu, 10/31/2013 - 19:10

I'm in the middle of making one of these also. I had to shorten by 4" so it will fit where I need it to go. I love the color you used. I might need to try that with a dark stained top.

Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by stacynabby on Sun, 12/20/2015 - 15:19

I made these two tables for a coworker who lost her home in the Valley Fire in California in 2015. She only had owned her home for 71 days and she lost everything. So, I thought I could make her some furniture as a very small token. They took me just half a day to build. I love this hobby.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Sedona Red
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Great plans!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 18:59

All pine stock from Home Depot. I had to mill some ofvthec2 x 6s to get straight edges for the top. Dark walnut stain. 3 coats varathane. Came out great! Thanks for the plans Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane water based
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entryway Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 04:01

I modified the plans for the farmhouse hall tree to build this for our entryway. The farmhouse hall tree was a perfect base plan for this project! We went from a mess of jammed in jackets and piles of shoes to a clean and organized entrance! Thank you so much for providing the original plans! We love this!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Doll Bunk Beds

Submitted by CUTiger89 on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 18:54

This is absolutely the first thing that I've built and I have the bug now. Having been recently laid off, this project peaked my interest from a creative and financial standpoint. Handmade gifts are the best and I've long been a paper-crafter. This was a birthday present for my daughter that would be something that she would love and that her friends wouldn't have. The challenge was impossible to resist. Aside from not mastering wood filler as well as I would have liked, I could not be happier with the way it turned out. Ana's plan was super!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
primed and then finished with interior satin white.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Charging Nightstands

Submitted by SaraLodise on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 12:45

This was such an awesome plan for us. We have two phones, two kindles, a tablet, a laptop, lamp dimmers and heated mattress pad controls. Needless to say the wires got a little out of control. The plans were super quick and easy, and it was no hassle to make two of them. I used the same stain combo Ana used on her's but I finished with Miniwax Polycrylic for extra protection against wet water glasses, early morning coffee spills and dog slobber. I love the rustic earthy tone the stains make. Dresser set soon to come! P.S. the center pieces on the doors are left over oak scraps I had in 1/2" thick. Thus, they stained a bit more red than the pine boards. I was worried about the contrast but I really like the way it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$60 per nightstand (Inner shelf, ply backing & door centers were left over scrap, also got the door latches free with a PB coupon)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Prestain -> 1 coat Miniwax oil-based in Weathered Oak -> 1 coat Miniwax oil-based in Special Walnut -> 2 coats of Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

TeriA

Thu, 10/03/2013 - 14:46

Why do you tease? That latch is no longer available!

But seriously, beautiful night stands.

Snowflake shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/24/2015 - 10:08

I just loved this shelf that I made 10 of them for family for Christmas! We made the original size but decided to size it down by a third. :)

Estimated Cost
less than $20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Potting Bench Built With Cedar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 12:11

I decided to build my potting bench out of all cedar. I added some extra reinforcements, especially under the table top and shelf, since cedar isn't the strongest wood around. But I love the look!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sausha's Washer/Dryer Pedastals

I liked Sausha's original design of the washer and dryer pedestals, but I wanted to add a few little personalized touches to it.

First, rather than using MDF, I went with plywood because of cost and weight. Also, I chose not to fill in the imperfections of the surface of the plywood. The top piece will be covered by the washer and dryer, and the bottom piece will be covered by baskets, etc. I like the look of the imperfections, as well.

Lastly, I spent an extra $10 on some additional cap molding for the base and the top, just to give it a more finished look. My wife chose white over black to fit the room better.

This was my first project and I am excited to build more!

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
After sanding twice with 120 grit, I sanded once more with 320 grit to give it a smooth finish. I then painted it with a roller and brush using a semi-gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pair of Oak end tables

Thanks for the plans they were easy to follow. Complete the pair over two weeks, working on them a few hours at a time. I routed the tops at the wood shop on base for a small fee.

Estimated Cost
$130 EA
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Red oak and two coats of gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mattea's Doll House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/27/2015 - 14:06

Built this off another plan

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Media console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/26/2019 - 15:40

Built this from the exact plans given. Very easy to build and learned a lot. Built whenever I had time after work 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ebony stain with satin spray lacquer. Bear premium ultra pure white matte
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Solar Outhouse - By Deb

Your outhouse design was modified for a snowmobile club project as the building needs to be towed across a lake to a site next to a warming shelter.  An LED light with a timer switch and solar battery charger were installed to provide light in a remote area of Lake of the Woods.

A steel hitch and skids with hyfax were added to the design.

Thank you for providing a design that allowed us to make modifications for winter outdoor recreation accommodations.

Built from Plan(s)

My Daughters Playhouse- My First Project

Submitted by SheilaS on Sun, 10/09/2011 - 08:32

My 2 year old daughter played in a playhouse at a farm and was just amazed by the "little house" every time we would see them at the store or driving down the road she would just scream "mom, its a little house, little house!" I knew I wanted to get her one and started to search. Couldn't believe the price of playhouse kits so I figured I could build it. This playhouse took about 2 weeks to finish but I only worked on it a couple of hours at a time just a couple times a week. Total cost for me for just the playhouse not including paint was $343.90. Thanks Ana for posting the plans and showing everyone that anyone can build!

Estimated Cost
$344.90
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Plank board table

Submitted by CandiceV on Tue, 10/08/2013 - 10:23

My first project. I refinished my old dinning table legs and made a plank board table top from 2x6s. I gave a good coating of Varathane over the legs and the top to stand up to our daily life and kids.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut Stain. Satin Varathane finish. Cream paint on the legs.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Recycling Bin Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/07/2019 - 15:14

I just started building "stuff" a few years ago and love Ann's plans. I have built several of your dining and coffee tables. This cabinet was a bit challenging and took me a while. I have had built drawers before but they turned out OK. I really like the top I create from some scrap 1 x 4's. Thanks for the great projects.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white paint, walnut stain, red oak paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Drawer Dividers by Hannah McCormick

Simple and great way to get drawers organized, by Hannah

Comments

OceanCactus

Tue, 01/31/2023 - 05:40

Hi Ana! Your work and dedication to your art are amazing! I had a quick question regarding the channels. I looked up "C channel" to order at my hardware store but there seems to be a curve at the bottom where the wood panel would sit. I also saw a "U channel" that's square and looks more like the one you posted in your video. Could you guide me as to which one would be best? Thanks!

Lap desk

This project was fun and easy to do. I made two of them so my husband and I could each work, watch movies or whatever while sitting in bed. The kids also use them sometimes during the day for playing on the computer or for having a snack. These little lap desks are super sturdy and very useful. They only cost me about $5 each to make.

Estimated Cost
$5 for the wood
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax wood conditioner, minwax red mohogany, minwax polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project