Community Brag Posts

We built this bar from two separate sets of plans. One was from Shanty 2 Chic and their outdoor bar. Because I don't like the flat top design and prefer to have two separate levels for bars (one for mixing drinks and one for drinking them), we used a tutorial from Pinterest as well. I essentially looked at pictures and evolved our own take on it. We decided to use 1X12 and 1X4 that I have stocked up. We also had an alder bar rail left over from our own bar that we attached. It fits well through doors and fit perfectly in our minivan for transporting. 

We gave this to my husband's cousin and his wife because they were hosting their first New Years Eve party. We are waiting for their instruction as far as shelving on the inside (they are still discussing for how many glasses and whether or not they want a refridgerator/kegorator installed) and the finish. 

Instead of the 2X6, we used an additional cedar board to complete the sides and the ends of the planters.  This was more cost effective and still provides enough support to hold the planters.  This is a great alternative to the more expensive items we found online.  We will be building multiple to put in an unused space in our yard.  Great project!!

This is for my cooking tools drawer. It's still a bit cramped, but it's much easier to find things now (and I don't have room in my tiny kitchen to expand)! I used a pine 1x3, which was sanded and sealed with a Minwax stain/poly blend. I used a countersink bit to drill the pieces together and used Elmer's stainable wood filler, but it didn't take the stain well. I'm not sure if it was the wood filler or the sealant. Next time I might try a stain and then a poly coating instead of a combination. This was my very first project so I'm pretty excited about it. I will post pictures of my utensil drawer soon.

I made this as a Christmas present for my little cousin. I was looking for something fast and last minute and found this. The plans were super easy to follow. The only change I made was the headboard is a little shorter than the plans because I used all scrap wood for this. It was a hit at Christmas! Thanks Ana!
 

My husband did the build and I did the finishing. This would have been much easier with the correct tools such as clamps and squares but he got by. We did have a Kreg jig that made the assembly much easier. This took about 15-20 hours over the course of a week long spring break.

I made this bunk bed for a friend's daughters.  I modified the plans by using 2x2's for the bed posts instead of 1x2's.  It made it harder to hide the screws but in the end I think it looks better.  

I had an idea of what I wanted and this plan helped me get started.

I love how this turned out! 

My wonderful husband built this for our rather large family. He made it long enough to sit 4 comfortably along each side with one on each end (total of 10) but we can squeeze up to 14 if needed. Per my request, he omitted the cross bar at foot level since I didn't like how it looked. We also used 4x4s for the legs instead of 2x4s. It was a little trickier to get the cut just right, but we managed ;) Start to finish, this table was completed in 3 days with a lot of hard work. We still need to figure out some kind of finish since stuff tends to get stuck in the cracks between the boards. Just haven't had time to work on it. All in all, VERY happy with the results. Now time for some matching benches and chairs!

This console table was built using Alder lumber.  I modified Ana's plans slighly by removing the center, vertical brace, and changing the thickness of the top.  I also altered the top by making it a "breadboard" style top.  The finish I created was unique in that fact that it was a 5 layer process.  Because Alder wood is a "blotchy" prone wood, I sealed it with shellac first, applied 1 coat of antique walnut gel stain, sprayed a toner (dye mixed in shellac)  to darken the wood, and then applied 2 coats of poly.  

I love using recycled and refurbished wood.  I saw some Cedar leftovers and made this project.  @theshopbycecilia

With lots of leftover wood from previous projects (farmhouse table and sideboard), I decided it was time to start another project. (I did head out to Lowes to get a piece of 4x4 for the legs...they only had Cedar. My friend found some Fir at Home Depot for a buck more).

Found the plans for the Farmhouse Bench, looked at other brag posts and their suggestions...then got to work!

Cutting the pieces was fast and relatively easy. Predrilling the pocket holes also went quick. Putting the pieces together was also very fast (though I did have to add extra pocket holes here-and-there so that the legs and two end-aprons were more sturdy).

Sanded the piece, then added a coat of Rustoleum Dark Walnut Stain, and then a couple coats of Deft Satin varnish.

Had to buy a new washer and dryer several months ago and wanted the front loaders.  I was unwilling to pay $600 for the pedestals at the hardware store so I had been dealing with them on the floor until I found this plan.  Built these and absolutely LOVE them.  No more killing my back getting laundry done.  These sit higher than the ones from the hardware store so even better!!! I keep 3 laundry baskets underneath.

Went with 1x4 instead of plywood for head and footboard and dragged a classic cherry stain from minwax total cost of $280 in louisiana

I got the idea for this dresser after seeing an armoire that I loved, but wasn't willing to pay $1300 for. However I needed a plan that would start me off. So I used the Mirrored Door Wardrobe plans from Ana and Patrick. I used 6- 12x12 porcelain tiles for the top.

I just built this table over the weekend. I started building this on a Saturday afternoon and finished it on Sunday afternoon. On Monday I put a coat of Minwax Honey on it. On Tuesday, I put a second coat of stain on it. On Thursday, I put a coat of semi-gloss poly on it and on Friday, I put a second coat of poly on it. All in all, I'd say I put in about 15 - 20 hours on it. Well worth the time and effort and cash savings!

I used a Kreg pocket-hole jig instead of nails which caused me to have to think a little bit about where and how I wanted to join the wood together.  I also spent a little more on some nice wood (pine) as this was going in our front living room and I wanted it to look as nice as possible.

This is really only the second piece of furniture I've ever built. I built a beam mantle last month just in time for Christmas. I think both of them turned out really nice!  Let me know if you have any questions.