Community Brag Posts

Bows & Ribbon Holder with Jewelry Cabinet

Submitted by Bob C on Tue, 09/24/2013 - 09:59

My Niece is 13 and into homemade hair bows, ribbons and jewelry. When I asked her mom what I could make for Colleen for her birthday? We settled upon three of Anna's $10 buck shelves and as a surprise a Jewelry cabinet with Elastic ribbons across front for her bows to be place on.

It was a big hit!

Thank you for your inspiration!

Best Regards,

Work Safely
Bob C.

Estimated Cost
$25.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Ultra white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

electric fireplace surround and mantel

Submitted by Jamakag on Sun, 12/06/2015 - 07:06

I am an extreme beginner, this is my very first woodworking project ever. The hardest part was modifying the plans to accommodate the electric fireplace insert that I bought and our space. I wanted a fireplace surround with mantle but I wanted it significantly shorter than most traditional mantles. I used 1x8's for blocking to give the fireplace it's depth. I originally was painting it white with leftover paint we had from our baseboards, but I wanted to make sure it was durable so I went to go paint crystal clear polycrylic over top and it started to turn in the project yellow. I had to sand the project down and start painting again, I purchased a durable paint from dulux called melamine which I was told it does not require a topcoat and is extremely resistant ( we will see). Considering I have never used a drill,nail gun or power saws of any sort I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dulux melamine paint in Benjamin moors simply white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entertainment Unit

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/05/2022 - 12:31

This entertainment unit was inspired by the 4x4 x base pedestal dining table with planked wood top. It completes the set which also includes the Table, coffee table and lamp table.

All 4 pieces have the same top design
Made from 200mm x 50mm pine sleepers and finished with Cabots benchtop clear finish

Comments

Another slipper chair - toddler sized!

Submitted by Lady Goats on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 22:03

I altered the plans to the full-sized slipper chair so that I can document my upholstering process. SUPER easy, SUPER cute build (and my daughter loves it, so even if it weren't easy, it'd have been worth it :-))

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
For me, this was $10 for the foam/fabric - i used scrap wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a metallic acrylic paint for the legs, and some fabric from Hobby Lobby
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JES

Thu, 09/08/2011 - 01:59

This is just precious, and your daughter is a doll! What a wonderful job. Thanks for sharing this! :)
J

My Rustic x-console! Thanks Ana

Submitted by pdbarlow on Thu, 12/10/2015 - 16:01

Loved the project.  i'd been away from woodworking a while and this sure got me started again.  My husband was so impressed he fixed me a place in his shop and bought me some new equipment. It took me several days over weekends and after work, and i tried my hand at distressing and was pleased with the results. Thanks for the directions, they were great!

Pam Barlow

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
i used a dark grey latex, then coated with a white latex, which I sanded to provide a distressed look, then i went over with a very light wash of a brown, which I wiped off to leave an antiqued look. I stained the top with a dark walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Medieval Bed

Our "home made" bed. We made this bed from discarded cedar posts found on the property. Three of the main bed posts were the original entry gate posts at The Bed Rox and the one closest in the foreground used to stand where the cabin stands now.

Estimated Cost
Not Really Sure.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Your Local Finish, Nothing Special!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 09/12/2011 - 09:49

The bed looks great. Could you give more details on the construction. I have some logs, but don't really know how to tackle this one!

JES

Mon, 09/12/2011 - 16:29

This is sooo coool!! Do you have any pictures of this without the bedding? I'd love to see how these pieces connect. What a wonderfully imaginative use of rustic materials. Right out of an historical novel! :) J

Rustic X coffee table

This is our third project. We needed a table set in the living room since our IKEA coffee table did not survive the move to TX. My husband and I fell in love with the rustic X collection and decided to start with the coffee table first. Everything was quite straight forward until cutting the 2x2 for the X. Well, without much wood-working experience, I made a rookie mistake of cutting them to length before cutting the angles. Eventually, we came up inches short on the 2x2 bars to make a complete X. We had to re-measure and re-cut all the angled bars. But we made it! At first, my husband got frustrated and wanted to leave the X's out and let the table be open on all four sides. But since we are trying to build a whole collection (end tables next, and then console able), I really wanted the X's to make them cohesive. So we survived the taunting tasks and have learned from the experience. We cut the 2x2 a little long and then mark them against the frame before we cut. The original measurements from the plan did not really match up to our frame so we decided to mark and fine-adjust. It worked out well. There was a slight "rainbow curve" in the middle plank of the table top. We decided to use a heavy duty 2 1/2 PH screw on the sides to suck it in, to try to make it level. It worked out well too! At the end, we sanded all the corners and tops really well because I wanted an even top. It is a very nice size coffee table and heavy and sturdy. And we are both extremely happy with the final product.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
After intensive sanding, we used a brush vacuum to get as much debris off as possible. Then we stained with "kona" for a darker strain. Only one layer because we love how the grain is showing. Matte finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wall-mount Wrapping Paper Holder

Submitted by Itsmekg on Tue, 12/15/2015 - 13:43

I couldn't find a wrapping paper holder, so I thought I would take a shot at it myself. So, using Ana's advice on the Kreg jig, and some leftovers from her headboard project, I had 4 - 1x4's (42" each) I "Kreged" (and glued) together. Making a giant frame. Then I used a 1" paddle drill bit to put holes 3 1/2" apart all they way down the right side (about 1/2 way through the board). Next, I used a 1x2 and drilled holes all the way down and all the way through (matching the height of the ones on the other side). Then I used a scroll saw to cut out the extra little piece on the 1x2 and make the slots for the pole to enter. And sanded and attached to the left side. I added a 1x2 at the top and bottom, all the way across the inside back to mount. I had some leftover pvc I cut to fit and then decided to buy aluminum conduit pipe from the electrical dept. (It's only 2$ for a 10' piece) then I cut it with a hacksaw and smoothed the sharp edges with a file. Perfect. Stronger than the pvc and nicer looking.

Estimated Cost
15$
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Love this desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/06/2019 - 05:57

Since this desk was going against a wall I turned one of the bookcases so it would be accessible. I also added a 1x2 border around the top just to give it a nice finish.  I stenciled the top and added a white stain and poly over it to add a little flair.  Thank you Ana for the easy to follow directions!

Estimated Cost
$100 wood, paint, stencil, poly
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore white
Behr : construction zone
Varathane antique white stain
Varathane water based satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/01/2023 - 09:51

I'm so thankful for ana white. Without your ease of plans that you make easy for us, has inspired me with confidence to take on many projects. Thank you for the wisdom you share.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

East Fork Dog House - copy

Submitted by astleopold on Mon, 09/30/2013 - 15:38

We adopted two puppies: Blueberry and Pink, and needed a dog house. I showed my bf the post of the East Fork Dog House on this website for inspiration. He winged the basic construction as he's a carpenter guy. Our foster children helped paint it, and the puppies love it (chewed the corners of it already).

Estimated Cost
400 - unfortunately we didn't use salvage
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex exterior paint from Home Depot.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Recycled wood X table

Submitted by CrazyDad76 on Sat, 12/19/2015 - 08:03

Made this table starting with Rustic X coffee table plans and made slight modifcations.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Only costs were the screws, glue, and bees wax. everything else was used or recycled from other projects.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Vinegar steel wool and bees wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Providence Table and Benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/11/2019 - 13:02

This is built to the plans although I ended up changing the bracing underneath the table top to make it a little stronger as the wood I used was not super dry and wanted to bend.

Estimated Cost
NZD500 (USD300)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed... fit for a king!

Submitted by elana on Sun, 09/25/2011 - 09:42

This is Ana's king sized farmhouse bed with an arch. This turned out great and is super strong...much better than most store bought pieces. The "king" cat thinks its pretty cool too.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
egg shell "dove white", distressed with sand paper
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Sectional as love seat

We made these last year, and managed to find cushions at walmart- but I never loved them. This year I painted the pieces black, added an extra horizontal slat in the backs, and recovered the walmart cushions and added some from ikea.

This is a fantastic place to check my email in the morning and read in the afternoon.

Thanks!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I spray painted these- I didn't think to paint them before assembly, and then spraying seemed the easiest way to get into the cracks.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Pre-stained Doug Fir Providence Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/17/2019 - 14:51

Used the Providence Bench plans to create this little piece. My wife loves the simplicity and also the sturdiness of the build with the 2x4’s utilized in various dimensional orientations. Simple build- used Kreg Jig and Miter Compound.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Pre-Stained with Huemiller Oil-Based Semi-Transparent CEDAR TONE stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kitchen work station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/13/2023 - 06:50

Work station is 24” wide x 19” deep x 30” high bead board with 1 1/2” frame and 1 1/2” butcher block work top. No plans were used, picked the size we wanted and just went for it.

Comments