Community Brag Posts

Kids Storage Table & Stools

I built a storage table and stools for my son's school class project and my wife wanted a set for her mom to give to her on Mother's Day.

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona Stain, Poly satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Sat, 10/20/2012 - 10:25

Beautiful build. Is that the 36" round project panel? I don't the 32" size she refers to in any store.

Monster mash activity table

Submitted by monster on Wed, 02/26/2014 - 19:20

This was a really easy and inexpensive project. As I don't have a table saw and I'm scared to death of my circular saw, I had the laminated MDF cut to size and edged. Assembly and painting was really quick. This little man will road test it for me!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Enamel paint for the red trim
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern media console - walnut slab

Submitted by jvtoomey on Sat, 03/14/2020 - 14:02

Built mainly from the Modern Media Console plan, modified in a few ways.  Aside from the obvious part being the walnut slab on top, I modified the doors to be inset hinges for looks, and it’s slightly longer than the original plans.  The other main modification was using the base from the Emersen Console or Buffet plan with the addition of the adjustable height leveling legs. 

Estimated Cost
750
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stained with American walnut to bring the hue of the walnut and maple to be similar, then finished with a light coating of clear satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Wood Shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/29/2023 - 19:18

I am a mathematics teacher in Central IL. I teach a class called Geometry in Construction. I had my math students build this wood shed in pieces at the school, then I brought it home and put it together with a few of my son's friends. The students enjoy a math class that gets to go to the wood shop to apply their math skills to a wood working project. I am proud of my students hard work and dedication.

Shari Bruyn (I'm old, so I do not have Instagram or a blog page. lol)

Built from Plan(s)

Disney inspired SeeSaw

Submitted by Anne in AL on Mon, 03/03/2014 - 11:51

Our 2 year old granddaughter loves seesaws, so my husband built this one for her. We had just been to Disney World and decided to make the seat Mickey shaped for a little extra fun. He used his bandsaw to cut the seat.

The seesaw is plenty stable enough for us to go on it with her and has been a BIG hit with the neighborhood kids.

More pictures on our blog: http://yearoflivingdisney.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/disney-ride-at-home/

Thank you, Ana, for these plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
wood was minimal cost, the paint was the expense!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
exterior semigloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X Desk Success!

Submitted by mrcleland on Thu, 06/02/2016 - 06:07

Started this project out of boredom. I had some time and some extra wood laying around. Some was from pallets I took apart, some from a salvage house, and some from an old barn. I built the table in a few hours and worked through any misshaped boards as best as possible. It was a relativley easy project and fun to see the legs turn out with each step. I plan to use cables and turnbuckles for the cross braces on the back and will update the pic when I do. I just need to find a home for it now.

Estimated Cost
Free since all wood was salvaged or scrap.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Card catalog shoe cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 15:43

I built the shoe cabinet but added card catalog handles. Also used deck railing toppers for the feet

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore advanced

Captains Storage Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 14:46

We made the captain’s bed for our two grandchildren, and they love it. We have made several things from Ana’s plans. They are so easy to follow! Thanks so much!

Dena

Built from Plan(s)

8 Foot long Book Shelves

We recently created a Dr. Seuss themed reading nook on our upper level. We have one large book shelf near it, but have also wanted a way to display children's books. These ledge shelves make the books easy to access while also creating a beautiful piece artwork at the top of our stairs. Now, instead of have a long blank wall in the hallway between doors on the little landing we have a beautiful library. I have loved how they have turned out and wanted to share with others!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
After screwing them all together we painted them white. It gives a elegant look!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Simple vanity

Submitted by jlrd13 on Sat, 06/04/2016 - 19:57

My husband and I built a house doing all the work that we could. When we started the project, I told the men in my life they were going to build the kitchen cabinets. They were pretty adamant they weren't.  I started visiting with experienced cabinet makers. One kept repeating, "It's just a box. It's not that hard to build a box."  With that encouragement, I found Ana's website and set about learning woodworking. First I built a step stool for my grandson, next I built some shelves for the shop, then I built this vanity. After I finally got it finished, I called an experienced woodworker to build my kitchen cabinets. Ha! I will say though, when the appraiser came out, he commented on what a nice vanity it was! Thank you, Ana, for opening up a new world to me!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I had to buy an additional piece of oak as I made a wrong cut. It also took me a lot longer than someone with more experience, but it is doable for a beginner.
Finish Used
Custom stain. 24 oz mission oak, 24 oz paint thinner, 12 oz English chestnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King size platform bed and headboard

Submitted by Rgb057 on Sun, 03/09/2014 - 11:25

I converted the plans to king size and used oak for the headboard and the platform edge on the bed. The oak added to the cost as it is almost 10x the cost as construction lumber.
I made the headboard frame with pocket holes and attached it to the plywood with screws from behind. I also used pocket screws to assemble the bed frame.

Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

CreativeChaos

Sun, 04/20/2014 - 06:54

I've been waiting to see if anyone would modify this for a king size. Would you mind sharing the dimensions you used for your headboard? I love your fabric and the oak gives it such a quality appearance. Nice job!

Wood Hall Tree

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 11:41

My family was all coming over for Christmas and we were going to have about 30 people at my house. I only had my mudroom hooks but no other place to store people's keys, coats, etc. When I saw these plans they looked quick enough to build in one night (the night before the party lol). So I did! And man did it get use. I wish I would've taken a picture with all the coats and purses and keys on it. 

Built from Plan(s)

Wood Porch Swing

Submitted by ccobb1612 on Thu, 11/16/2023 - 08:59

Made the large porch swing and changed length to fit into porch space. Used rope to hang for more rustic look.
Note - next time will possibly used 2x6 for arm rest to allow for drink holder hole and possibly on framing instead of 2x4s. DIL and new grandson love it.

Built from Plan(s)

Loft bed for Wyatt

Submitted by Quartney on Thu, 06/20/2019 - 11:47

I did this project 99.97% alone (if you call "alone" with a 1-year old and 3-year old nearby). This was a challenging project that took longer than expected (one full week, working well into the night after the kids went to sleep). I used furring strips for the 1x3s and 1x4s. They cost about $2 less per board! Total cost of this project includes paint, screws, etc.

Estimated Cost
$240.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Zinsser BIN primer, followed by Sherwin Williams semi-gloss enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

John Hopkins (not verified)

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:40

I have been looking for something similar to this but with a futon in the bottom. Anyone seen plans for such a critter?

Log Cabin Birdhouse

I enjoy making birdhouses and log cabin style is my favorite. I make the logs by setting my saw to rip 3/4 pine at 3/4 so I have 3/4 square strips. I then decide the size of my birdhouse and cut the logs accordingly. I also "wittle" on them a little to make it look more authentic. I simply then just stack, glue and nail one row at a time. You can use 1/4 poplar for the roof but I ripped pine at 1/16 and cut shakes with my utility knife and glue them on one at a time (there are 104 on this roof).

Estimated Cost
7.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Custom Electric Fireplace Built-in

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/18/2023 - 12:49

Came across your shiplap fireplace and tweaked it a little, not bad for a 64 year old female right? Didn't take a weekend though more like a month but worth it. Thanks for the inspiration.

Comments

Perfect Cubby Bench - My Take on it.

We saw this cubby bench and thought it could work for us... but there's 5 of us.

So we redrew the plans to add two more cubbies.

I also like the idea of being able to hide everything, so we put doors on.

The issue I had was cutting 1x12 material with the chop saw. Cutting with the circular saw (even with a guide) can sometimes leave you with an "almost" square edge. Even with a 12" saw you can not make the cuts on a 1x12. You need a sliding saw for that.

One option is to cut the boards over sized by 1/4 in and then use the table saw to get a square edge with the miter gauge or rip fence.

I only worried about this due to putting doors on the cubbies. It's your using baskets you don't have to be so exact.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax water based stain and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garden console

Submitted by DogDoc25 on Sun, 03/16/2014 - 19:31

I had my seed starters sitting on a TV stand by my sunny window, which was as ugly as it gets (see before photo...). So, I built this little console for my gardening stuff to sit on while my seedlings are growing. It turned out being the perfect size for what I'm using it for. I only modified it slightly, by adding end pieces to the top (just subtracted 6'' from the length of the top pieces and measured the width of the top to decide the length of the end pieces. I also used pocket holes to attach my bottom shelf pieces and the top shelf pieces, instead of nails. I've never done a 2 tone piece (I love the look of stained wood) so I was nervous about painting over the wood...but I'm really really happy with how it turned out! It was easy to make, and mine was done in an afternoon. Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 maybe?
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
For the top I used a base coat of pre-stain conditioner. Then applied 1 coat of Minwax Golden Oak (left on for 15 minutes then wiped off), then 1 coat of Polycrylic. The base paint is a color from Home Depot...I can't remember the name but if anyone is interested, just message below and I'll look it up.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Junk Drawer Organizer

My kitchen drawer wasn't as deep as the one in the tutorial, so I had to use 1x2 hobby poplar instead of 1x3's.  I can't wait to do more drawers!  It's been more than 6 months, and the drawer is still neat and organized.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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