Community Brag Posts

American Girl Doll Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/23/2016 - 12:16

My daughter and I built it together. We had great fun. She is totally into the Kreg Jig and the brad nailer now. I'm sure we'll find something else to build. What a great father daughter activity. Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Non
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Desk

Loved this plan from the moment i watched the video! This is the first time I truly needed a plan right when Ana posted it. I trimmed the 2x4's down to 3 inches. Sanding each single wood piece down as I went really helped. Love this website so much.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under 50 bucks I think
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Custom Closet with Heated Floors

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/20/2023 - 08:16

I love the outcome of this project! I removed the old wire shelving and used 3/4 inch sanded plywood and few pieces of trim and pine to build this floor to ceiling custom closet. Then I primed and painted, and installed the clothes rods. Out of the frame are new recessed lights and a tile heated floor!

Laura E.

Wardrobe for American Girl Doll

I Loved this plan ever since the first day I saw it! I was very intimidated though by the star cut out.

I modified this plan a little, mine is about 6 inches taller than the plan, because I had to fit my daughter's Pottery Barn kids washing machine inside which I believe is bigger than the machines in the original plan. My middle shelf is only about half the width of the shelf pictured, I wanted to add extra space beneath, plus it was the cheapest piece of shelf I found.

For the star cut out, since I did not have a protractor, I cut out little templates with my miter saw at the different angles, I labeled each piece, so I could reuse them if I ever build another one. My daughter loves this wardrobe, so does my son! I am planning on making this again for my son, but making it grey and calling it a "Hockey Locker". Thanks for the plan Ana! This is my favorite plan so far!

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Berry Pink Spray Paint, Spray Poly-Acrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

itzann

Sat, 10/13/2012 - 09:41

Very nice job! I love that color of pink, too. Where do you find hangers for the doll clothes? I make a lot of clothes for my granddaughters' dolls, so I guess I need to find hangers!

Farmhouse table

Submitted by Dtrain1680 on Tue, 02/25/2014 - 05:46

First time project, this was a birthday present to the wife. Good project and a very good build. I only modified the length and went with 3 2x10s instead of one. Nice big table that we hope to enjoy for years. The entire table is distressed and we actually went with two stain colors. Dark Walnut on the top and an Ebony on the base.

Estimated Cost
Under $200 only because I didn't know what I was doing and made mistakes.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut on the top with Ebony stain on the base. I did let the stain soak in for at least 10 minutes and did re-apply. I used Spar Urethane Satin as my clear coat and it was the most difficult to get perfect. I would advise at least 4 coats with sanding in between.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Double Bed Headboard

Submitted by RobA on Fri, 05/27/2016 - 20:18

so I tweaked this plan and made it a double bed for our spare bedroom.

Estimated Cost
$100 CAD
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax gel walnut stain
3 coats Polycyclic clear
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse King Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/11/2020 - 07:20

The plans, as always, were very easy to follow. I couldn't be happier with the results. For anyone looking to build this plan, I highly recommend picking up a Kreg jig. For the couple of places you'll use it, it makes a huge difference.

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Pre-stain, Minwax Jacobean stain, Watco Satin Wipe-on Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Country Primitive Side Table

This is another one of those, honey I like this projects. My wife was doing her normal primitive furniture web surfing and came across this end table. It's really not to hard to build. All you need is 8ft of 1x10, 5ft of 1x12, 16ft of 1x3, and some spare 1x2 and 1x4. A few simple cuts and then you have a perfect little primitive side table.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

OCTAGON PICNIC TABLE

Submitted by BigBry on Sat, 03/01/2014 - 07:36

My son and I had a blast building this table last October. I have been meaning to write and thank you for the great plans. We took the suggestion of staggering the legs for better access and it turned out great. I also used deck boards for the top to help reduce weight and they were already slightly curved on the sides which made sanding easier. Thank you!
My cost includes a nice Kreg Jig set up (approx $100)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$220
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Grandy TV Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/31/2016 - 07:34

Love this tv table! It was my husband's first project from Ana's plans, and it turned out really well. The most difficult part was deciding how to make the sliding barn door hardware, since paying $70 for hardware when the wood cost about that much seemed crazy. My husband built it and I stained it, Sunbleached by Varathane. A nice blue-grey.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 (or less) for wood. Up to $80 for sliding hardware unless you DIY it.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sunbleached stain by Varathane, followed by 2 coats of a matte polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Console

Submitted by Tandi43 on Sat, 03/21/2020 - 12:10

Have a long wall and this was perfect!  I love everything about it!  I enjoyed working with miters for the 1st time!  FUN!!!! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Briarsmoke and Clear Satin Eurathane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Long Modern Vanity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 11/02/2023 - 08:11

Designed and built vanity, mirrors, plumbed, tiled, and wired and installed lights.

Tanni

Mother's Day First Build - "Cameron" Vintage Storage Dining Table

Submitted by meggrs on Sun, 05/20/2012 - 17:04

This wasn't my first DIY project but it was my build from this side and first real woodworking project and it's been the most satisfying to date. I made this table for Mother's Day for my mom who has been dreaming of the PB Cameron fixed trestle dining table but couldn't take the hefty price tag. Things I changed: - I added the "pegs" on the table ends to make it look more like the PB version. They are just 1/2" round wood plugs glued to the trestles. - I was going to add two more tabletop braces underneath (again to make it more like the PB version) but I cut one of them incorrectly so I just added on more in the middle. I'm turning the boo-boo lumber into a yarn swift; waste not. Things I learned: - If the wood is going to be stained and varnished, shell out for the *good* stuff. I had to put on way to many coats of polyurethane to make the cheapo pine boards smooth enough even after I had dampened it to raise the grain and sanded it. - Don't believe the stated length of the boards you buy. 36-inch boards are actually 36 inches and a bit. I ended up having to disassemble and re-cut my tabletop supports. - Practice with your jigsaw if you haven't made curved cuts before to see how tightly you can turn. Luckily I had extra ply to make another couple trestles after I botched the first two...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$160 for materials
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Table base:
- Stained edges with Minwax Dark Walnut.
- Two coats Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White.
- One coat Annie Sloan clear soft wax.
- Distressed edges with sandpaper to show stain underneath.
- One final coat Annie Sloan clear soft wax and a good buffing.

Tabletop:
- One coat Varathane wood conditioner. (Pine takes stain unevenly without it.)
- Three coats Minwax Dark Walnut.
- 18-million coats Minwax Semigloss Polyurethane. (It seemed like it anyway.)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

tracysmith

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 21:33

I've had to learn some of those things myself since I started building a year and a half ago. Sometimes it's frustrating and even costly, but when you learn it, you learn it and you never have to again. haha Unless you're really a gluten for punishment. ;-) Good job and thanks for sharing with us some of those lessons learned.

Mirror Frame

Submitted by AndyH on Tue, 03/04/2014 - 11:00

We had a big ugly frameless mirror in one of restrooms that builder had fitted as standard. Took it down and made this framed mirror instead.

Made from 4 by 1 with routed recess for mirror. Edges are 3 by 1s

Finished in Rustoleum Driftwood and two coats of Minwax Satin WIpe On Poly.

It is quite heavy so I fitted it to the wall with a French cleat made from two scraps of wood which also means it fits flush to the wall.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Driftwood and Minwax Wipe On Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Reclaimed Chilton Bed

This rustic farm bed is handcrafted from reclaimed weathered barn wood. The plank design and mixture of tones and textures give it a distinct rustic feel. Each piece celebrates the unadorned beauty of salvaged wood. Our reclaimed barn farmhouse bed is truly transitional. And now the best part, it can be made in any size needed -- King, Queen, Full or Twin.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Starwars AT-AT Walker toy

We couldn't find one in the store and my son wanted one for his birthday. I found an example online of a starwars themed charging station and he has played with it for years. Used some scrap wood and most of the cost was hardware and accessories.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Playhouse castle

Submitted by vic b on Tue, 05/22/2012 - 17:44

visit us at www.madeatthisplace.blogspot.com, for details. We built a large platform off the ground and just put a house on top. Then gradually extended the design.

Estimated Cost
$5000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Aargh (not verified)

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 05:50

This is so bad ass!! One of my favorite memories of my own childhood was a huge cardboard box play house that my dad made. It has 3 or 4 rooms, I loved it. This takes it to a whole new level! Fantastic!!

birdsandsoap

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 15:12

...

^^^ There are no words up there because I am speechless. This is the coolest FORTRESS I've ever seen.

When are you installing the moat??

vicb (not verified)

Sat, 06/23/2012 - 07:46

Thanks guys, I'm lucky I have a husband who doesn't roll his eyes when I say, how about....... He loves building and so do I.

Two piece sofa table

I used a combo of a couple of Ana White's sofa table plans and I changed them so that two tables would fit together at the angle of my sectional couch. I used pennies on the top and covered in epoxy resin.

Estimated Cost
50$, (including, 25$ of resin, 25$ wood)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I couldn't find a stain that I liked so I used some old wall paint watered down and wiped off like stain. Then, I topped with three coats of a shiny clear coat. I really like the shiny finish of the pennies. This paint is Sherwin Williams Stunning Shade. I painted the top of the table in the same paint and then I glued the pennies down with regular Elmer's glue. I cut the pennies around the edges with bolt cutters so they filled the entire area. After the pennies were in place I covered them with a pour on epoxy resin. I used Super Glaze that I got at Home Depot. The Super Glaze was about 25$ and I only used about a third of it. I didn't included the price of the pennies in the cost. I used about 15$ worth of pennies. Most of the time making this project was in gluing the pennies to the table and cutting them to size. The actual woodworking of the project could be finished in a weekend, but this was my first project so it took me longer. (If you use pennies to top a project, I highly suggest getting pennies that are already the shine that you are looking for. I foolishly tried to was 20$ dollars worth of pennies and ended up with bowls of rusty pennies all over my house.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First project. I'm hooked

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/06/2016 - 18:41

Great afternoon project. This was my first build!  

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark wax on the top, chalk paint on the bottom
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Back