Community Brag Posts

Adirondack chair

I've wanted to have a go at an Adirondack chair for ages but never had the wood available - I refuse to buy wood for ANY project so I had to wait until some came along. We had heaps of pallets delivered FOC so I dismantled them and had the perfect sized wood for the chair.
Because I used pallet wood there's the odd nail hole etc but each piece was sanded down with various grit strengths until I had the wood as good as it was possible to get it.
I did have trouble with the plans because some of the dimensions did not fit for the size of wood they stated to use but no one else has said they had any problems so I'm guessing the issue was down to me and not the plans. The main sticking point for me was that I had to use a 2" batten in the centre back because the dimensions given for the stringers did not allow for the right number of 4" wood to be used.
This project was the practice run though and so I will make some more with a few minor adjustments to the dimensions. I would also recommend counter sinking the screws (I pre drilled also which makes for an easier finish) and next time I will give each piece one coat of paint/stain/finish before assembling - these images show my unpainted chair and painting in between all the slats was tedious.

Estimated Cost
£10
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Although the pictures show my unpainted chair I have now finished it in Cuprinols garden shades paint in 'Summer Damson;
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

blowtorch stained kitchen table

Submitted by KL728MX on Tue, 01/05/2016 - 12:55

I combined two plans to make this and added my own touch to it as well. I am 6' 4" and wanted a taller table but I really like the farmhouse table. I found 35" turned table legs at Lowes that worked perfectly. I also found these really cool 2'X4' butcher block style spruce panels that worked great for the table top. I pocket holed 3 of them side by side to get the size I wanted. I built the frame out of 2X3's and trimmed them out with some molding. I had seen people blowtorch tables before and I thought it would look really good. I added the stain afterward to darken the color and it came out awesome. I painted the legs and frame white to match the trim and cabinets in my kitchen.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
blowtorch and minwax gunstock stain, 3 coats of polyacrylic satin clear
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

CSaintD

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 10:12

That is a great idea for the table top - using the panels, I mean.  I  never thought of that as an alternative to the long 2x boards.  Great job!

KL728MX

Sun, 01/24/2016 - 12:46

I really aprriciate your comment. It was really easy to use the panels and it also eliminated the amount of pocket holes needed. It also made it alot easier to get a smooth and flush table top. The only downside is you typicaly want the wood grain to run the length of the table. Given the size of the panels I had to run the wood grain the other direction. I still like it but some wouldn't because of that reason.

Love My Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Sue Hill on Sun, 04/07/2019 - 18:10

This was a challenge for me, since those 2x6 top boards were slightly twisted and or cupped. I love the X detail and that was fun to put together. I found some "L" brackets and spray painted them for the ends. I stained all the wood first, before assembling.It's a gray/brown stain, one of my favorites. I decided to white wash over the stain doing all of table except for the top. I used a wax finish. 

 Love it, many times my ukulele, mandolin, banjo and fiddle are all tucked away underneath.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1. Varathane Fast Dry Wood Stain - Briarsmoke, 2. Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint - Linen white,
3. Howard Citrus-Shield Premium Paste Wax. I diluted the Linen white chalked paint with water, about 50/50. The day after I stained the wood, I took a cloth (you could use a brush, too) and wiped on the diluted paint. After a few minutes, I wiped off the paint with a clean cloth until I achieved the finish that I wanted.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Golf Getaway Cottage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 05:31

While my vacation property was being built I got hooked on Ana’s plans. Farm table, followed by coffee and end tables and finally a fabulous pub table.

Can’t wait to entertain.

Comments

Play Kitchen

Submitted by jilllo27 on Tue, 11/01/2011 - 17:43

Thank you so much Ana for posting these plans for us! A huge thanks to Crafting Chicks for some artistic inspiration, too. I referred back to the "original" many times in order to make mine as adorable at theirs!

I've been planing on making this for a year. When I finally decided to start building I was, as always, surprised at how quickly it went together and how simply. The finishing details is the most time consuming, but also the most rewarding. I'm in LOVE with this thing. It will be auctioned off at my childhood elementary school. I hope whoever goes home with it will enjoy it for generations! I wish I had time to blog about all the details for those of you that are interested! I'll be happy to share my finds, experiences to any questions posted.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150-$200 including all accessories, paint, etc.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oil based white primer with latex blueish green paint (I can't remember the color at the moment!), the stovetop is an oil based gloss black paint with stovetop rings painted in the same finish as the rest of the pieces. All is covered in a clear satin spray.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Jilllo_23 (not verified)

Sun, 11/06/2011 - 11:20

It went for $400 to a couple that is pregnant with a girl :)

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 12/09/2011 - 06:26

Love this!! I am currently in the middle of building one for my daughters. Can you tell me where you got your faucet for the sink, and the knobs for the stove?

Diana (not verified)

Fri, 06/22/2012 - 21:58

Hi there,
I know you said that you are going to auction your gorgeous little kitchen you made and was interested how I can bid on it or buy it if possible. I would absolutely love this for my little girl.
Are you at all planning to make more as I would definitely be interested.
Thanks
Diana

First Project

Submitted by Adamski on Wed, 10/23/2013 - 05:52

This was my first big project I've ever done. It certainly didn't come out perfect, but man, was it easy. All wood (select white wood) was bought at Lowes and was around $80 for all the lumber. There is 3 coats of Minwax Provincial 211 and 4 coats of Minwax fast drying poly.

I had everything cut and put together in 3 hours. Its the staining and poly that takes the time. I've been asked to make some more for family and friends and can't wait to get started.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial 211
Minwax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Henry tv stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 11:54

This my first woodworking project. It is far from perfect but turned out okay! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Tea and steel wool, and then I used miniwax Jacobean on top. I used two coats of poly and dark wax on top of it to finish. This was my first woodwork project!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Custom mudroom storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/26/2023 - 14:04

Used this app to build a custom nook for shoes and coats. Its been fantastic and super easy to put together!

Comments

Tryde Side Table - Modified Plan

Submitted by 10todd on Sun, 11/06/2011 - 18:34

This was my very first project. I really like simple, rustic, boxy furniture. Modified the original Tryde side table plan to include additional supports near the bottom of each side. I will be sure to NOT use clear gloss poly on future projects. Way too shiny for my taste. It was leftover from some wood flooring that I refinished, so I took the cheap way out. Cut and assembled it in about 5 hours. The sanding, staining, finishing took me forever. I learned a lot though, and will probably cut that time in half next time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax walnut stain and clear gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Claudia

Mon, 11/07/2011 - 06:31

It looks beautiful, but if you want to tone down the gloss just sand with extra fine steel wool or sandpaper (400-600 grit). This will give it a satin (not semigloss) finish.

10todd

Mon, 11/07/2011 - 08:10

Thanks Claudia! Good tip, I'll try that. On future projects, I think I'll do a little more distressing and experiment with layering a couple different shades of stain, but overall, I'm happy with it and look forward to doing some more.

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 12/28/2011 - 08:53

I love this! Where can I get the instructions?

Modern Patchwork Media Console

I modified the modern patchwork dresser plans to create this media console. Used three different stains for the door fronts and painted the interior a dark gray. Wanted two doors instead of drawers but wanted to maintain the original look. I created a faux drawer front with a flush hinge.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Three different Minwax stains with a poly topcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Community Garden Farm Stand

This spring, my neighborhood started a community garden.  Five families came together to break ground, sow, tend, and give away our produce.  The local church close by allowed us to use their front lawn for the "Lakeside Community Garden," located in Duluth, MN.   Every Saturday during harvest season, we gave away our produce to the community.  I took on the project of building a farm stand.  One of our neighborhood families donated re-claimed lumber to the cause, and I started building.  I had research many farm stands on-line, and knew I needed two large boxes to hold the veggies, as well as a sign to indicate what produce we were giving away.  

Estimated Cost
$free!!! Use what you can re-claim, and design your own stand.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King size rustic panel bed

Submitted by Tia P on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 15:01

I had a client send me a pic of the bed she wanted.  It was very similar to Ana's tall panel bed.  She was upsizing from a queen to a king and wanted it to match her previous set.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250, only because it was the first time working with crown molding and had to buy an extra piece.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Expresso stain with Varathane polyacrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Easy Build wood headboard - King

Submitted by nestbliss on Mon, 11/14/2011 - 19:14

We used this plan for the reclaimed wood look headboard from Ana-White and these dimension mods for a king. We used lots of tips from Create and Delegate who made the same headboard last year. I love how it turned out! I posted more photos and blogged about everything we did for the finish, etc. at - http://nestbliss.blogspot.com/2011/04/we-made-bed.html

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Perfect End Table

Submitted by monster on Sun, 10/27/2013 - 16:23

I actually made this table to fit inside a wardrobe as we needed some shelf storage space. It worked out well!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White interior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Little Boy's Platform Bed (w/ a twist)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/12/2016 - 07:05

So, I ended up altering the plans to fit a light.  The light was originally an outdoor, hard-wired light, which I fitted with a cord and added a pull chain to.  The legs were also changed...I doubled the width in order to have a more square appearance (2 2x4's planed and glued together).

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean Stain
Minwax Fast Drying Poly (Satin Finish)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X Farmhouse table

Submitted by rjgold on Tue, 05/21/2019 - 12:47

I came across some 18'x12"x1" (actual size) boards that were milled around 1870.  These planks came out of the roof for the building.  Rather than cut them down I just built a "double frame"

I used 2x redwood for the frame.

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Thompsons water sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Farm Bench

Submitted by jackkatie on Mon, 11/28/2011 - 11:52

I was looking to make my foyer a bit more kid friendly while still being coze and practical. I came across the modern farm bench plans, and I knew it was the perfect fit!

I have done a few other plans, but all with help. This project I started around 9 pm (after bedtime) one night, and by 11:30, it was completely built and stained. My son was climbing all over it by the next morning :)

I love it - I think it adds the perfect bit of rustic charm to my foyer, while still giving my little guy a sturdy spot to get his shoes/coat on. I have since added baskets underneath for winter storage.

This will definitely not be my last build! Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained using a mixture of both Kona and Dark Walnut stain from Rustoleum. It definitely wasn't a science - just slopped a little of each on, waited about 3 minutes, and wiped off.

I love the finish - rustic, but not too "country". The dark Kona stain definitely highlights the knots and grooves of the wood!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wagon for Birthday Boy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/16/2016 - 03:15

I made this for my grandson's 2 nd birthday. I followed the plans to a T. It did cost quite a bit more than was stated, the wheels alone were $60 but should last a lifetime!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax honey stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner