Community Brag Posts

play kitchen

Submitted by tiphaine on Mon, 12/30/2013 - 03:11

this is the little play kitchen I made for my kids for Christmas (they are 3 years old and almost 2 years old). It was my first project.
My husband has been interested in woodworking for a while and owns some tools. We watched a lot of the new yankee workshop videos together. I received the homebuilt home last Christmas and didn't get a chance to use it until this November!
I was so happy to read how Ana White and other wood workers did some projects only a couple hours a day after the kids went to bed.
It was a little bit challenging at time and I made many beginners' errors. I also adapted the plan to fit the 2 shelves I had as leftovers from my husband's last project. (We live in France and DIY material is relatively expensive). I also wanted them to have both the oven and the sink but we didn't have enough space to put 2 kitchen modules so i added a divider in the middle of the top shelf and attached it with cleats to the countertop.
I could not find any bowl with a lip to do the sink so I used an ice cream container! and the tap is a real one because it was somehow cheaper than getting a garden tap or a fake/toy one!
I took me about 3 weeks to complete because I could go only a couple hours at a time, sometimes less after the kids were in bed, and being pregnant makes me seriously slower in decision making and acting!
I kept it as a surprise for both my kids and my husband on christmas morning. I'm really happy with the result. Like the book said, it is not perfect and I can see many little mishaps, but it's my first project and I cherish it.

Estimated Cost
50€ (probably less in the US)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
toy!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Reclaimed Hurricane Micheal X style Farmhouse design

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/27/2019 - 08:27

On this project which I use from Ana White designs, I learned how to cut at an angle and I learned what wood too use to get the look you want. I also just wanted to say thank you for showing us diyer how to feel confident about building and using our hands. It is a good therapy, woodworking and creating.
The wood is all made from reclaimed Hurricane Micheal timbers that I cleaned, sanded, detailed, sanded again, painted, stained, and clear coat.
Even though the wood was used and free, it still has a process upon completion

Estimated Cost
50 In total cost
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Minawax English Chesnut Stain for the tops and a Valspar Latex Paint with a polycrylic semi gloss for easy cleaning. Sand paint I used 60, 100, 220, and 400 grit.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Swing set

Submitted by lazyLiz on Wed, 02/29/2012 - 10:21

I've finished my swing but my porch don't have enough clearance so I built A frame stand for it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
mahogany latex based exterior primer and paint in one
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ashley Doucakis

Fri, 04/19/2013 - 15:37

I love the idea of adding the A-frame considering that where i live there are no real trees to hang it on and building a porch where one doesn't already exist is a pain in the butt! Lol. How wide do you think we could go before it starts compromising the frames integrity? And how much weight can it hold?

Spare Bed Frame

I "doctored" the plans for the reclaimed wood look headboard to using 4x4's for legs and created a footboard of the same style. I then make the siderails for my bedframe by laminating a 2x8 to a 2x6 to completely encase the box frame. I was able to put my boxframe inside by screwing and gluing 2x2's along the inside of the frame. This is a STURDY bed frame!

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony stain (2 coats) with polyacrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/28/2019 - 17:05

Although this sofa is designed for the outdoors I built 2 of them to use in an office space. The plans were spot on and made it so easy to build even as a beginner.

Estimated Cost
$30-$40 without cushions
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
The finish is provincial stain with a coat of water based polyurethane. The lumber was untreated and would have accepted the stain better had I first sealed the wood. However, I still like the outcome.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Flat Wall Book Shelf

Submitted by Solomon on Wed, 01/01/2014 - 10:37

Given space limits, I modified the plans to feature wider (35") shelves. Height is about 45".

Used 1x3 on front of shelf instead of 1x2, for a cleaner look (no visable joint). Had to rip 1x6 down shelf down to 1x5 to do so. Didn't add the extra rail.

Raised bottom shelf up above top of existing baseboard so shelf wasn't in play when cutting out side rails to fit flush to wall. Used Kreg Jig for all joinery.

Behr White semi- gloss enamel to finish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr white semi-gloss enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Industrial clean up cart pipe and wood

Submitted by jessieb on Sat, 03/19/2016 - 05:51

I'm calling this the "Clean Up Cart". You know how your kids toys always migrate into the living room? I wanted baskets I could toss them in and carry to their room at the end of the day. Then one day after walking back and forth across the house a million times cleaning toys up, I decided the baskets needed to live on a cart I could move around to the mess. So I envisioned this industrial pipe and wood cart. I used Ana and That's My Letter's Pipe and Wood bed to figure out how to make it happen. The key is using the splint ring pipe hanger to attach the wood. See that antique advertising sign? That design is from an antique soda bottle label from an old company that was down the street from where I grew up. I always loved the old soda bottling barn so when I found this label I had to come up with something to use it. This was the perfect chance. I followed picture to wood transfer instructions from the Graphics Fairy using the freezer paper method. The pipe comes from supply house dot com. I used: 2 – 1/2 “ by 14” black nipple 8 – 1/2” by 18” black nipple 8 – ½” black tee 2 – ½” black 90 degree elbow 6 – ½” black 90 degree street elbow 14 – 1/2 “ black split ring extension hanger Its a learning process figuring out how to screw it all together. Some things will unscrew as you screw others in. Basically, I started at one end and went around in a circle until I got back to my beginning. Install all of your split ring extension hangers before you try to attach your board. You wouldn't be able to get enough clearance between the pipes to attach an opposite side after you connect one. I cut the wood to size leaving about a 1/4" gap all around it clear the connectors. If your board isn't quite reaching a side, adjust your screw in your connector. The wood is scraps of pure bond plywood I had from another project. After the transfer was dried (about 24 hours) I sealed it with beeswax. I didn't use any stain. To do the antique ad transfer, I took a picture of the old soda bottle label laid flat. I reversed it in Microsoft paint. Then I printed it onto the waxy side of freezer paper. Then you just simply lay it ink side down onto your wood being careful not to move it at all once you place it (that would make it blurry). I used painters tape to hold it in place. Score the back of it to really get the ink in, I used a credit card. If you lightly wet the wood before it will take the ink better and make it darker. I was happy with the color without doing this in my test piece so I didn't. Wait a while for the ink to dry (I waited 24 hours) and then you could spray with poly or I used beeswax to seal it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Miss Mustard Seed Bees wax. I sanded the project before I applying the wood transfer, let the ink dry for 24 hours and then gently applied bees wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entertainment Center

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/29/2019 - 18:00

I but this for an old high school friend. She needed somewhere to put her cd collection (yea I know, CDs?) And her record player and records. The drawers hold 400 compact discs. I used pine lumber, pocket holes, weathered oak stain and a lot of swear words.

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Weather Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Dollbed

Submitted by Arfeiniel on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 18:58

I'm so glad I found Ana's website, especially the plans for the doll beds. I have been wanting to build some photo prop beds for my tiniest models and the Farmhouse doll bed got me hooked. I want to make one in every color

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 17:52

Comletely adorable! Cutest of cute! You are so talented with your building and photograpy!

Simple Bench for Mudroom Closet

This is my first build. Ever! I used the plans for the simple outdoor bench to create a bench for the closet in my back hall that I am trying to convert into more of a mudroom space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modified 6 cube, we call it Console Doce

Submitted by tracysmith on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 06:50

I built this for a friend of mine - also a client - built it to her needs and come out with a really cool bookshelf/tv console!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We finished it with just three coats of Satin Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

ehansen25

Mon, 07/15/2013 - 08:16

This is exactly what I want to make with this plan, but are you worried about sagging in the middle. Did you put extra support underneath?

ehansen25

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 09:27

Sorry it's me again, my husband and I have decided to use your model for our cube shevles and I just want to verify to get the new dimensions you just doubled the legths for the top, the shelves and and the side shelf trim correct? We are new builders and just want to get everything as close to right as we can! Thanks!

tracysmith

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 14:04

Not a problem at all, I don't mind answering questions. Yes, I just doubled the length of the original plan. If you click on my picture, my user info should come up and you can email me and I'd be happy to talk to you in a more direct fashion about this project and if I still have it on my computer in the form of a sketch up file, I will share more details with you. Maybe even a cut list and shopping list. I build everything in sketch up first. :-)

If you have any troubles contacting me, let me know and I will just get you my email on here. :-)

Vmc107

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 07:13

This is exactly what ive been looking for toy storage in my living room! Is it possible to take off the tiny legs, and just keep the entire thing on the floor? I was looking to add some cushions on the top for seating as well. Will it be able to support the weight?

Vmc107

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 07:13

This is exactly what ive been looking for toy storage in my living room! Is it possible to take off the tiny legs, and just keep the entire thing on the floor? I was looking to add some cushions on the top for seating as well. Will it be able to support the weight?

Mimi's mantle, revised

I searched hundreds of faux mantles online for just the right one to build! I ended up coming back to the very first one that inspired me...Mimi's! I revised it to make it deeper by using 1x8's for the depth. I used 1x6's for the inside box depth so that I would have some space behind for extension cords, etc. I also decided to insert wood ledges above the box (on the inside) so that I could put Christmas lights in for a soft glow, which I love. After building the top trim as shown in the plan, I decided that I wanted to "beef up" the mantle portion so I screwed 1x3's along the front and sides of the mantle top. I love how it turned out! I even ended up building a duplicate one for a friend that saw it and loved it! I am pretty new to woodworking and have 4 kids, so it took me much longer than it should have, but it was well worth it!

Estimated Cost
$60, plus Annie Sloan paint and wax
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I beat up the mantle top to give it a well-loved look. Then I did Minwax Dark walnut over the entire piece, then sealed it with one coat of poly. I then used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White over the base. I distressed the edges and corners before sealing with Annie Sloan clear wax. I used 4 coats of poly on the mantle top (after 2 coats of stain), just to be cautious! In retrospect, I should have bought an actual wood sealer, perhaps, before painting over the stain? I had to use 2 1/2 coats of Annie Sloan and I'm told that it usually takes one coat, sometimes two. In the end, I am extremely happy with the outcome, though!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday
Back