Community Brag Posts

So this project took quite a while for me to finish, but I didn't cut any corners and expanded a bit on the basic plans that were offered.  Some notes on changes to the project:

• Instead of leaving the gap in the bottom and middle shelves, I used a second 1x10 and ripped it down to the exact width I needed so that it would be flush (this was done for the bottom shelf and the middle shelf.
• I added 3 supports in Step 5 at the back to provide additional support for the middle shelf.  
• For the top, instead of 2 2x10's, it is 3 2x8's ripped down to 6.25" each, then edge glued.  A brace was then added to the bottom and used to attach the top to the main unit.  See the pictures for a better description.  
• I also edge glued the doors out of 1x6's in order to get the dimensions I wanted.
• I used a 1x3 at the bottom to give it more of a sturdy look
• OK, so the big part that people complained about the original plans were the lack of information on how to do the rails.  I cheated and contacted a metal fabricator to make them for me.  Pricing was consistent with what you would find online for similar barn door hardware, but it definitely turned out better than me trying to do it myself. 
• The stain is Minwax "provincial" and I used a wipe-on poly to coat it.  For the top, I used 400 grit sand paper between coatings, and let me tell you, you can see your reflection in the finished product.  Turned out really well!
• My only regret is that I used project boards for the two end pieces, and so they don't quite match the remainder of the project.  I would have edge glued them just like I did the doors given the chance to do it over. 

Anyway, enjoy!

I love this design and have made several for family and for sale. This was the one I made for Ana's promotion, Make one, take one. This is the one that was given to charity, Wings. this is a house in our area for battered women and their children. As an ER nurse who sends patients there, I realize the importance of a well made doll bed, (Doll given as well) 90% of the time these kids have to leave their homes with nothing, no toys, no clothes, and I hope seeing this doll bed would help some little girl forget about the trauma she's been through, if only for a little while, and let her be a little girl again.

Started by making these bunk beds for my 9 year old and then I made another for my 6 year old. I couldn't help myself, so I made 12 more for other people to give as Christmas presents. Thanks Ana!

I had a great time with my first project being this vegetable bin. I did have to have some help with the actual construction and I know it's not perfect. It's uneven and has flaws, but I think it gives it a little character.

doll bunk beds painted tangerine with bedding

We started out practicing on end tables. Take your time carefully picking out your lumber. We ended up with a slightly warped 2x10. There is no give in a big board like that so it put us behind. The picture shows it stained with minwax "Provincial" and one coat of minwax satin. More coats for the top are in progress.

I found these amazing plans from Ana's website here.  Couldn't be easier!  I modified mine a bit to fit the space and used recycled pine wood for my project!  The Scroll legs I used my jig saw to cut them out with the great stencil provided in these plans.  I was really happy with the result, as I only had minor sanding to do to make them match up when I glued them together.  Since I was painting this piece I used dry wall mud over the seams on the legs to hide the joints (a lot less expensive than wood filler).  Since it was all recycled wood I had to do a lot of sanding but it saved me a lot of money!  So very happy with this project!  Thanks for again for the amazing plans!!!

Randi Wolf

RW Creations

Just delivered these Adirondack chairs to my son and his GF as a housewarming gift for their first home. They selected the colors and they turned out perfect! I used a countersink for the front screws and filled with plugs so it looked very polished!

These were all Christmas projects...My daughter needed a blanket chest, so I used Anna's Toy Chest plans - modifying them to add a lid (which also functions as an extra seat). I made the dimensions larger because she had some really large blankets to store and also added some fancier trimming. Her husband wanted DVD storage in their room, so I built the cabinet and painted it to match the blanket chest. I do most of my building in the evenings, so it took a couple of days to build these - the finishing took the most time over several evenings. Also shown is the mail organizer, with an airplane motif because of my grandson's love of airplanes.

Great, simple bookshelf for our nursery

Thank you so much Ana for providing such good plans! I use your Mom's Fancy Farmhouse Bed plans and added drawers underneath (a girl can never have too much storage!) using your Under Bench Trundle Drawers plans. I made it look a bit different than yours so it fits with the desk I already have in my room and used Mortise Bedlocks to assemble it, so it will be easier to take it apart when I move next time. This was my first project using your plans and my Kreg Jig and I'm hooked!

I built something!! I really want to build a bed for my son, but wanted something a little simpler for my first project. This table came together very easily. I can't wait for my craft room to be done and get all my sewing machines set up on it - Thanks so much for your site, Ana!

Hi Ana,

I liked your design, but I've made a few changes to it for my bench:

-The dimensions

-The type of wood used

-All the joinery (Only screws are in the hinges)

-The inlays and a few other aesthetic features.

Thank you!

-

I love the Adirondack chairs and they were so easy to make. Your directions were perfect. I added an inexpensive cushion from Walmart although I think technically Adirondack chairs don’t have cushions. But they do help make them more comfortable. I also added some tin work design because we live in the south west.

James

I made this shelf roughly from the entryway shelf plans. I modified it to meet our needs in our nursery. We hung it above the changing table/dresser (that we bought) and my wife put some nice pink polka-dot baskets in the cubbies. We use it to put baby accessories in (socks, lotion, rash cream, hair bows, etc.) This was my first project and it turned out better than I expected! It was an all day project for me, since it was my first, but shouldn't normally take that long.