Community Brag Posts

Planked headboard

I love how the stain turned out on this one. Super simple project!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained it dark walnut and then sealed it with three coats of matte polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

yurra-bazain

Wed, 07/17/2013 - 09:56

I just clicked over to your blog, Autumn. I wanted to comment on your "Never ever" post, as I never thought I'd be building furniture and blogging about it, either. I live in Hawai'i as well, although I was born and raised here. =D I've added you to my bloglovin' list to keep track of your posts. Malama pono!

New Chicken nesting appartments under construction

Submitted by DrSnuggles on Sat, 07/18/2015 - 18:56

Quick and fun Saturday working on building these cool new nesting boxes for my friends farm. Yes, the alterior motiv is that I keep getting free eggs LOL guilty!!!

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maybe $10 and used a bunch of scrap wood.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Channing Desks

Submitted by tomlin-t on Tue, 02/06/2018 - 04:20

I made a pair of Channing desks, one for each son to match the Channing Bookcases I'd made previously using another one of Ana's plans!   I followed the directions pretty much exactly, except for a couple of minor changes.  On the tops, I wanted to router the edges to add detail, and to make it neat I covered the ply end-grain with some pine 2x1's.  At the end (step 15) of the build I added the extra support. 2x1 at the front to match the rail above the drawer, and 2x2 at back to make the RHS legs properly sturdy.  

Overall, the project was not particularly difficult, the building took about 3 days to complete both desks. As usual the finishing always takes longer than the building, and in this case it took 4 days. This was mostly due to the 6 hrs between coats for the varnish. 

I sprayed the white desk (masking the top) with satin door trim paint I had available, and I used clear satin varnish on the top as a contrast.

The other desk has 1 coat of sealer and 3 coats of chocolate walnut satin stain/varnish.  

I'm very happy with the results - but I'm not really sure which one is my favourite!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 for both desks
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin white paint, satin clear varnish, and chocolate walnut stain/varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

American Girl Doll Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/12/2022 - 13:23

Thank you so much for the plans! My Granddaughter loved it❤️

Comments

Sewing Table for small spaces

I loaded this project months ago, but somehow it was removed I believe during one of the websit updates. So far in my wife's crafting life she generally cuts things out on the floor. It's not so good. Our dining room table is usually covered in food or playdough so she generally just spreads things out on the floor. I realized how much she needed a table, and armed with new power tools from Christmas and my birthday, I set out to make me a crafting table. This was my first project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax blue rub on stain and sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by camilton on Thu, 07/18/2013 - 12:07

First attempt at a project and I have to say I am pretty proud! It may not be perfect but I think the imperfections give it some character. I used a dark walnut stain and finished with poly two coats.

Estimated Cost
125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Camp Loft Bed

Submitted by Just Jill on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 13:39

I followed the plan and it was way easier than I expected.  This thing is sturdy as a rock!  Shake it all you want, it's not going anywhere.  I'm doing my son's full bed next.

Estimated Cost
With smart shopping and price match, I spent less that $70.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Rustoleum satin paint. Many thin coats. I used up some left over paint as base/primer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Toy Box

Submitted by JustJ on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 07:13

I used your basic plans,  but modified it to use some scrap wood I had from another project. I used blue stain pine,  tongue and groove. 

I made this toy box for my niece who is expecting her first baby (it's a boy).  I know she likes things clean and uncluttered,  so I added a lid, and then added some corner pieces to make it a little more juvenile. 

It was so much fun. 

Estimated Cost
If you have to buy everything, it's around $75.

I really only had to buy some hardware and rope, so it was minimal for me.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin finish, poly coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by rcoulth on Thu, 03/31/2022 - 02:20

I made this for my granddaughter’s birthday. It was super easy, but it’s really big. I’d reduce size if I made it again. She said she can fit 2 dolls in it.

Comments

Hooray for the $10 ledge!

Submitted by kaleidiehl on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 20:05

This project was so EASY and it is just what I wanted over the entertainment area. We had some So excited that it came out so well and looks great! Thank you for such easy to follow instructions!

Estimated Cost
$8 (had some supplies on hand)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint Brand: Ace Hardware
Color: Ace of Spades
Finish: Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Fort Bed

Submitted by CaseyM27 on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 12:57

We're in a rental and the rooms are a good size, but on the small side of good sized. Thought this would be perfect to give my 4 year old a little extra play space. I added three extra 2x2s to the guardrail, it was a bit short for my liking. Other than that, stuck to the plans. It seemed when putting together the ladder that we were missing a piece and couldn't figure where it was in the plans, but I just ran to the store so we could keep the ball rolling. We love it!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Black gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My Patio Chair

Submitted by Supertoy on Thu, 02/22/2018 - 20:09

I used 2x4 and 2x6's on this project. I am a larger woman so I wanted it to be very strong... and wow is it strong! I also routered the edges on the arms. I love it and it really does sit comfortable. Next I want to make a footstool for it. Thanks Ana for making these plans available to me. 

Estimated Cost
Roughly $30.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Miniwax Polyurethane two coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bookcase Surprise!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/06/2022 - 17:17

We began by collecting books and encyclopedias from thrift stores that were donated but the store was discarding. My husband cut them down to about 1 inch. After painting a 4X8 sheet of plywood black, we glued them in a pattern we liked. He cut faux looking drawers attaching them to the lower portion of the "bookcase". The center section actually opens for storage. Not willing to pay $20 for each of nine handles, hubby got dowels, sprayed them silver and made our own: for $2.00 total!! A strip of tape lights (which are actually white but photographed purple for some reason) with a remote runs across the top, and battery puck lights from the Dollar Tree light up the center shelves. The magic happens behind the books as they pull down to reveal two twin Murphy Beds. Purchased the kit for the beds online. Awesome for extra guests, but out of the way when used as an office. And only takes about 12 inches of room from the wall. In the last picture, we applied the same idea to hide a hallway door leading to a store room. Lots of picture taking and rave reviews from all who see these fun projects.

Comments

Music Stand for RoRo

Submitted by drkellie on Sat, 06/04/2011 - 12:32

My husband's a music teacher and I had to build him this for our fifth wedding anniversary! I was looking and thinking about what to get him for a long time...then, I looked up what the "traditional" gift is for the 5 year mark. Wahoo, wood! Since I started dabbling into making things after discovering Ana's site last Fall, I thought, well no problem! Ha! Well, I had 2 evenings to build this thing with 2 toddlers helping me :-). I used the base of the stand from the plan for the Coat Tree. Then, I designed the top using the letters "R" & "R" for RoRo (what I call my Hubby). The top was cut using a jigsaw. Everything else, either a mitre or circular saw. The hardest part was affixing the top to the stand. Argh! Angles, drilling, messing up, argh! Somehow, it's put together and holding up, lol! Might I mention that when I first started building things, my hubby's first request was for a music stand. Well, there you go RoRo! Happy Anniversary!

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
rich cherry stain after sanding and using steel wool for smoothing out after the stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Traditional Toddler Bed with a few changes

Submitted by GhostLake on Mon, 07/22/2013 - 10:26

This was basically my first ever wood working project. It didn't turn out perfect but I had fun doing it and my daughter likes it too! It isn't done yet, still need to figure out the color of paint I'm going to use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~35 for lumber, Kreg jig, screws, paint additional
Finish Used
Not finished yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My first DIY

Submitted by momncrew8 on Thu, 07/30/2015 - 07:54

I built this bench in one afternoon and did the finishing work on the other. Tools used were a handsaw, jigsaw, Kreg Jig Mini and electric sander.

I modified the plan to use 10 inch lumber for the sides so that it would fit in the space where it would be used. Overall length was increased to 30 inches. Most of the wood was already on hand, but a 12"x4' piece was purchase for the top (instead of reclaimed pieces)

Bottom shelf was joined with the Kreg screws. Aprons were fastened with brass screws. The top was put on with finishing nails.

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax "Early American" for the top and Krylon Cover Maxx for the white (bottom). Entire piece was finished with paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Sliding Barn door TV Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/13/2022 - 05:20

This is my favorite plan that Ana provides! It's easy to modify and adjust to different sizes. Thank you Ana!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Dress Up on Wheels

Submitted by tatifl on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 14:13

I've wanted to make this dress up storage since the moment I saw it; I planned to do this as my first building project. I finally got around to getting all the supplies and then I asked my father to assist me since i never really built anything like this before - well, he's not a patient man and he ended up building the whole thing without me (boo!) ... but I at least got to paint it! I absolutely love it and it looks fantastic in my girls' playroom.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments