Community Brag Posts

We remodeled our kitchen and I wanted a step stool that would match the decor a little better than the blue and pink plastic one that we bought when our children (who are all now in their 20s) were little. I like Ana's Vintage Step Stool but didn't need anything that big. So I adapted the plans for just one step. The first one that I put together I put the legs in too far and it was very tippy. So I took that apart, cut the top to fit the legs right up to the edge, and put it back together again. I think it turned out adorable! Thanks, Ana!
I have no idea how much it would cost to make this if you had to buy the materials because I made it from scraps of wood I had from other projects and used paint and stain that I already had used for other things in the kitchen remodel.
This is more of a beginner project rather than a starter project because of having to use a bandsaw or jigsaw to cut out the curve in the legs piece.
This should be an afternoon project (3 to 6 hours) if you make it right the first time and you don't have to take it apart and rebuild it like I did. Also make sure your paint is properly mixed and your daughter doesn't set a cardboard box on top of your paint job before it is completely dry like mine did. The first time I painted the top I evidently didn't get the paint mixed enough and it never hardened, just stayed a gummy, sticky mess. I scraped that off, made sure the paint was mixed thoroughly, and painted again. While the paint was curing (which takes about a week for the stuff I used) my daughter moved a box out of her way to get to something else and put it on top of the stool. I found it a couple days later, totally stuck in my shiny paint job! Sanded that down thoroughly and put another couple of coats on. Then I hid it for a week so it could cure completely without anyone else doing something to it!

This was a simple project with lots of steps. One recommendation is to prime and paint/stain prior to assembling. The cushions posed a challenge due to the cost of purchasing but I buckled down and learned how to sew!! If anyone has any questions please feel free to message me and I will try to help the best I can. Thank you, Tammy

Built this rustic x coffee table from some 2x4's and repurposed barnwood. Finished it off with some white paint and antiquing wax on the frame and lacquer over the barnwood. 

Hall Tree by Nancy

Personalized distressed crate.

I started to make these tables and post them on my local classified ad. In the past few months i have made half a dozen tables. They seem to be pretty popular. The great plans on this site have helped me make a bit of extra income to support my tool addiction.

The tables are made from framing grade lumber from blue box store. I take each piece and cut it to rough length and run it through a joiner and planner to get it nice and square and smooth to start with. I cut everything to final dimension and start the glue up.

I wanted a nice flat and clean top for these tables so having straight and square lumber helps. To make the top I edge glue the boards together and clamp. No screws or anything else required. The breadboard ends are attached with a few pocket screws.

The table joints are are done using pocket hole screws and glue. I have trouble finding 4x4 in my area so I make the legs using two 2x4's glued together. I use 3 pocket screws per joint (skirt attaches to the legs). For the cross beams, i use a dado blade to notch out the legs and cross stretchers. I find this is the most accurate and quick way to go. The cross stretchers are attached with glue and screws, and the screw holes are filled with 3/8 pine dowels and cut flush.

Once the table is all assembled, I run it through a course of sanding from 80 grit up to 220 grit with an orbital sander. Then its time to start the finishing. I use minwax pre-stain conditioner to help it absorb evenly, then 2-3 coats of minwax stain of choice. I then use 3-5 coats of minwax wipe on poly. I find this stuff to be great. It goes on with a rag, no drip marks and provides a very smooth finish.

Each table takes about 25 hours to complete.

This is for my daughter’s 3rd birthday. I decopaged the walls and floor with patterned paper before assembling. I thought it would be easier.

I also didn’t bother with the middle ‘front’ door. The dollhouse in the example photos look beautiful from the outside, but kids don’t really play with the outside of the houses. So I made the windows a little bit bigger.

The windows and doors both looked terrible. My first time using a jigsaw was not a success. So I used tiny dowels for the trim around the door and craft sticks on the inside.

The last thing I need to do is put some lights in it. I ordered some fairy lights on amazon. I plan to use another dowel that I’m hoping I can wrap with the fairy lights and then wedge in the back on the ‘ceiling’ on the first floor and then Velcro the switch to the side of the house. It won’t look professional or anything, but being able to turn the lights on and off will be very fun.

Casey

My daughter has me building again. She needed shelves for beside her computer desk so I suggested this ladder shelf. I altered the plan a little to add a top shelf and since it had to fit under some existing wall shelves, I shortened the height a little.

She is really into the brown paint lately, so as much as I would have loved to paint this in a bright color like Ana's, I painted it brown as she asked. I love this plan though, so I will probably build one for my bathroom.

I built this chest from the birds and soap wooden cooler plans. I have a Traeger Pellet grill and wanted a place to store my pellets as well as serve as a side-table for my grill. I love how this turned out. I modified the plans to make the chest deeper so I could insert two 5 gallon Home Depot buckets (to store the pellets in). I used redwood deck balusters for the legs and pine for the rest of the chest. The paint is a sample I got from Lowes on sale, then I sprayed the whole thing with Spar Varnish - which I hope will protect it from the sun. The little cat-hook thing on the front is cast iron - a gift from my sister. Then I put some hooks on the side to hold my BBQ tools and voila!
It took me a lot longer to make this than I expected, as I got ill in the middle of the project and had to wait to finish it up. This is the first thing I've made like this and I'm very proud of it!
Thanks so much for the plans Ana and birds and soap.

Loved making this. I added a top rail for a shelf.

R Chase

I needed mine to move so I added some castors to the bottom. It is my bakery cart! I also had hubby put a double towel rack on it for my flour clothes. Thanks so much for the plans! This is my first project and I loved doing it! Hubby got me the Kreg Jig and it was a breeze. I even used that for the top!!

First furniture project, first Kreg jig use.

Heavily adapted storage sofa plans.  Used existing day bed mattresses.  Made all wood surfaces finished with nice cladding, and all fabric portions removable and washable.

Added arms, and a back ledge.  Ledge is hinged to allow access to wall behind so I can get to the outlets.

Lots of work, but it is AWESOME.  Thanks for the inspiration Ana!

Quick and easy closet to add anywhere.

Great and easy build from Ana. I made it to replace a vanity made of fake wood that falls apart when it senses water. No changes to the design. I used the "European" hinges and all I can say is that they are great but it is learning experience getting them to work properly. Thank goodness for the adjustments the hinge allow.

I saw the doll bed post that Ana had done and wanted to try and make one for my daughter out of scrap wood I had laying in the garage. I basically used the picture from her post for the idea and pieced everything together. Then grandma got involved and made the little pillow and blanket to top it off, my daughter loves it.

This piece was headed to the dumpster when I rescued it, the top drawer was chipped and broken.

The drawers have such beautiful curves, so I removed the broken one and the 2nd one and reused it elsewhere. A beautiful coat of teal paint, changed out the knobs for eclectic vintage glass knobs and added wine glass holders, finished it  by wrapping stripped fabric around thin plywood for the backdrop.

It is perfect for storing my summer entertaining dishes in the sunroom.