Community Brag Posts

This is my first brag post! I modified the base to make benches. I am not super creative or any good at math, so I was super proud :D

flippinmamaof5

This project was one that I've been planning for about 18 months- I had to wait until we moved back into our home to start the build, so I had plenty of time to think about how to maximize my storage space in this small room with a slanted ceiling. My husband had some time off from work and offered to watch our toddler during the day time- so that was all the motivation I needed to start this big build!

Overall, it took about a week from beginning to end. The cost was between $400-$500 for everything- including hardware, paint, supplies etc. Still a huge savings over what it would have cost us to purchase desk and storage units to work in this room (I priced them out at about $2000-$2500 - WAAAAY out of our price range).

For the main desk unit I used the plans for the reclaimed look wood bedside table. I modified the height of the legs to 28" tall so that the sewing desk height was correct for when I'm sitting at my machine for hours on end. I also modified one of the units to be an open shelving unit, so that I could store my patterns and misc. sewing notions in baskets on the shelves.

The desk top was created by using six 1 x 4 whitewood boards joined with pocket holes. The corner joint is "woven" in a sense to give a unique look to the unit. I used 4 brackets in the corner (secured to the studs) to support the weight of the corner of the desk. I used Dark Walnut stain and then followed up with 3 coats of Poly (sanding in between each coat).

The two fabric/machine storage bins were made using the cubby bookcase plans as a base. Both plans were modified to maximize fabric storage with the small space- hence no face frame on each unit. The middle storage unit is one that was my first build a few years back, before I'd even heard of knock off wood- oh how it would have been so much easier if I'd known about this site back then. I added a plywood top with a piano hinge to fold out for a stand up cutting unit. For the legs, I simply went to the table/baluster aisle at my local hardware store and purchase some hardware to secure two balusters to the plywood top. Screwed them in on the outside of the window frame so I don't have to unscrew the legs every time I fold it up and away, cut the balusters down to the proper height and that was done!

The ribbon/wrapping paper storage was super easy- just used some of my left over 2 x 2 furring strips, along with 14 dowel rods and 1 /14 screw in hooks. I pre-drilled the holes for the screw in hooks as well as the 3" screws I used to mount it to the wall.

The thread holder was a previous build of mine as well- just cut out LOTS of dowels that fit into the peg board and glued them in place. Added a little decorative trim to finish it, and painted it white.

Overall I could not be more excited about how this build turned out...aside from wood working, sewing is my next favorite thing (I have a small Etsy shop and do local craft fairs for fun). Having the stand up cutting station is a HUGE relief, as after 10 or so years in the Army, my knees and back are shot (who would have ever thought that jumping out of airplanes wasn't good for you!) The fabric storage is great and allows me to see all of my different fabrics so I eliminate over-buying (which I obviously have a problem with) and purchasing doubles.

I can't thank Ana enough for her website- I grew up with a dad that builds everything, but was always a bit intimidated when it came to building stuff for myself. Her plans really break everything down to the simplest level of instruction and make the building process stress free. This was my first time building a cabinet unit and I was very worried about the drawers not working, but I just followed along on the instructions and they came out perfect.

Needed a small workbench to fit in a tight space, but still wanted something sturdy as it supports a 1-ton arbor press. Your plans were so helpful!

This site features the queen size version of this headboard, I decided to build the King and use more elaborate molding pieces, which increased the cost. I stained the wood to a very close match although my mobile photos don't do justice to this claim. It took me about a week to complete with nights and weekend availability.

Storage box made from left over 1 by 4 and plywood from recent projects and a top I made for another cabinet but didn't use.  All I bought was two 1 by 4s for the top trim and the hinges.

This stool is a gift for my nephew's 4th birthday!! The hardest thing about this stool is trying to get all the legs put together without having enough room to get the drill at the right angle. This time, we used an extender piece on the drill bit (duh!) and it was MUCH easier than the other stools we have built.

I used a projector to put the trace the Superman symbol, then painted it.

I hope he likes it!!!

Easy to build! Took about 3 hours!

We wanted a short bunk bed for our sons, age 4 and 1. Our 4-year-old insisted on a Thomas Train bed. We modified the fort bed plans slightly to add stronger barriers on the top bunk and add a barrier on the bottom for the little guy. We also used solid plywood rather than MDF. We used 2x4's and steel angle to hold up the top bunk. It should be sturdy enough for them to use into teenage years. Because we beefed up the strength, the cost increased as well.

We tried staining it and it didn't come out as nicely as we had hoped, but the boys added their own stickers to it and now they have a Thomas bed that they love. When the 1-year-old gets older, we will probably remove the barrier on the bottom bunk to make getting in and out easier.

This was not built using one of Ana's plans. I have a book of 2X4 projects that my daughter gave me and actually got me started woodworking. This beauty was one of the projects. It was easy to build and easy to put together but not easy to paint. The lattice was the cheapest she could buy and was "furry". I tried sanding which took forever but it was still a mess to paint. I am including the link to the plans: http://woodtools.nov.ru/projects2/WoodPlan/lattice-bower.pdf
If you build this be sure and sand and paint before putting together-it's so much easier.

It looks amazing in her backyard and she is loving it.

I took a couple of ideas and made this queen size storage bed.

This was my first project. It is for our nursery. Painted white to match the crib and dresser. So much fun. Plan was great and very easy to follow. Thanks to the other brag post which mentioned there was a missing cut for the box (bottom shelf). 28 3/4. I used countersink screws with a 1/2" countersink drill bit. I also used shelf pins to secure the shelf. With the paint I noticed the shelfs were very snug. I would probably take off 1/4" off the shelf size if I built it again. Can't wait for the next project! Thanks.

This is my first project and I am so happy with it! Thanks for the plans!

You can see my step by step process here:

http://ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com/blog/category/table/

I'm especially happy with how I was able to attach the top to the bottom without drilling through the top. I describe that here:

http://ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com/blog/2012/08/my-table-is-done/

Thanks for the inspiration!

Our two boys are really starting to get into Legos so we knew we needed a place for them to play (especially after repeatedly stepping on Legos--ouch!). My husband designed this simple plan after looking at some expensive designs online. He cut a small notch out of the top so legos can be pushed into the storage container. We just used a simple under bed storage box, which is great because it is large and holds a ton of legos.

Stained with Minwax Jacobean. Thank you for the plans!