Community Brag Posts

Owl bunk beds

I looked at the doll bed plans forever trying to decide which one to make our daughter. I settled on the camp style bed that Jamie from "that's my letter" made from Ana's plans. There was one error in the cut list, you do not need 7-20" 1x2 pieces, unless I really messed up! You only need 5. It was fun and surprisingly easy to build. The sanding and painting took far longer than the actual building. It took me less than two hours to build, including dry time for the wood glue on the rails (hot glue would be faster) I found craft paint brush #16 (3/4 inch) worked the best and fastest for painting all the rails. Any bigger brush and you'd get runs at all the corners. I put on one coat primer, and three coats of paint, probably about 6-8 hours total time in sanding, painting and applying the finish wax. I made the bedding with some cute fabric from Joann's Fabric, also harder than the building! All said and done the extra hours were worth the finished product, it is beyond beautiful and I am so happy! I can't wait to see Elena's face on Christmas morning. (You can build it in 1-2 hours, I put weekend project b/c of the time to finish it) I worked on it for about an hour at a time over a two week period, as I couldn't let her see me working on it!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams (Snow Bound) paint
White wax for top coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Thu, 12/11/2014 - 07:49

This came out wonderful and the bedding is adorable! How did you make the mattresses as they look so perfectly smooth?!

In reply to by spiceylg

TwoCuteKids

Thu, 12/11/2014 - 16:58

I used diamond-double-faced-quilt-fabric and it really held the foam down tight, it looks like a real mattress! The white was too bright next to the paint so I used a light pink cotton sateen for the top layer, you can still see and feel the diamond detail. (I followed the plans on "that's my letter" for the mattress construction)

Farmhouse computer table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/11/2017 - 00:43

Farmhouse style computer desk with breadboard top and slat style shelves for printer, and a drawer. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entryway & Coffeetable

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/01/2021 - 18:46

This was my first time making a project with plans from the site. They were easy to follow and modify to my sizes. I am extremely happy.

The cost of wood is higher due to the pandemic, however. A 2x4 was nearly $5.50 in Ohio.

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray stain, applied with a foam brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Farm Table

Submitted by Jscully825 on Wed, 02/06/2013 - 11:56

This is my modified version of the farmhouse table. I wanted to be able to sit 6 people at a 6' table, so I decided to go with a different style of legs. It is still very sturdy.

Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Several coats of minwax water based stain in Coffee color.
3 coats of water based minwax poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Linda7

Fri, 02/08/2013 - 09:40

Love the leg modification. My brother-in-law likes the farmhouse table look with the exception that he couldn't place chairs at the end, so he fell in love with this table. We may be following your modifications if we build him a table at some point in the future. Excellent job!

First Build: Two of them!

Submitted by jsherwin on Wed, 12/10/2014 - 11:23

I wanted a project to build with my husband, and his desk was falling apart. Mine was old and tiny so we made two of these side by side. I did all my own work with some instruction from him, and it was pretty easy! It was also really fast: I think the total time spent was under 8 hours!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Stain in Gray, with 4 coats of Matte finish Varathane sealer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Classic Storage Bed, adapted

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/05/2021 - 16:24

I doubled the height of the Classic Storage Bed to create 6 side drawers and 4 bottom doors for my daughter's twin bed. She lives the extra storage in her small bedroom. Thanks for the inspiration!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)

Comments

Ashley Makes: Rustic X Console (Minus the X)

I built the Rustic X Console to store my growing collection of cookbooks.  The plans were pretty easy to follow.   I really struggled with warped boards!

You can check out my blog entry for more photos and details. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum's Early American and Vermont Natural Coating PolyWhey Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First piece!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 05:02

Used this plan as a "practice" platform for a larger version in the future. Very simple yet nice design. I would prefer to hide some pocket holes on the sides to avoid the extra work of plugging them next time. Also, Lauan plywood panels are cost effective way of finishing the back.

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Wenge semi transparent
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pot holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/12/2021 - 06:21

Working off your idea. Added another holder. There will be a bottom drawer for bigger stuff.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Will be painted
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

12-foot ledges for front-facing children's books

We built three 12-foot shelves to span the entire width of a wall in our play room. Each shelf cost approximately $30, mainly because we had to purchase a higher grade wood to get 12-foot pieces that were reasonably straight. I haven't filled the screw holes with wood filler yet.

Because these are child-height and we have a little climber on our hands, we screwed the shelves into every stud along the wall, and used more screws throughout than we would have for simple display shelves.

This was my first project and I did most of the work myself, with my husband's assistance when extra hands were necessary. It turned out so well I plan on tackling a few more Ana White projects! :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
95
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr self-priming interior enamel color-matched to my home's trim color
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Octagon table with moulding

Submitted by ted1735 on Tue, 12/16/2014 - 08:04

The angles were very challenging. I wanted to replicate the angles of 55 degrees. But of course my saw wouldn't cut them. So I made a quick jig for my miter saw that allowed the supports to be cut on their side just 10 degrees off 45 degrees equaling 55.

Estimated Cost
I used mostly cull lumber from Home Depot from 2x6s & 2x4s. I made my own moulding from 2x4s. Purchased the 1x8 full price. Around $100 with stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane cabernet
Varathane matte touch Polyurethane

Applied stain with Terry cloth covered sponge from Harbor Freight.
4" best roller from home Depot for the clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Hemnes Linen Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/17/2021 - 09:59

I modified the Hemnes Linen Cabinet plans to fit this space. Instead of painting, I burned and stained the cabinet before applying polyurethane.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Burned and stained wood with polyurethane. I used a blow torch on the edges for the burned look.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

White Washed Queen Headboard

Submitted by sawdust on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 11:39

This is my first piece of furniture I've ever made from a plan. I would recommend this for someone who is new to the craft. I also sanded each board before I put it together. I just find this easier to do than sanding it afterwards. Plus, it gives me the chance to look at the grain and see where I might want it. Both the stain and clear coat I used can be washed out of your brush with soap and water.

Estimated Cost
$90.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax white wash pickling stain - one application with a foam brush.
A very forgiving stain and easy to use.
Minxax Polycrylic clear satin - one coat with a paint brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 05:18

Really like the white wash look, great job! Also, love the bedding and the tray. Did you make that tray, too?

Printer's Console

Submitted by bRick on Thu, 12/18/2014 - 18:28

Followed the plans pretty close on this one. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
stain, poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fancy X Farmhouse table and Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/20/2017 - 07:53

I absolutely love my rendition of the Fancy X Farmhouse Table (and bench).  I took Ana's plans and combined them with some of the details from charmingimperfections.com to create the vision in my mind of exactly what i wanted.  The build was not bad at all but the Kreg Jig is a MUST have tool!  This was my frst experience with the KREG jig and i am now looking forward to many more DIY Builds! :)

Estimated Cost
Table $150
Bench $50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut with semigloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Project: Workbench with casters

Submitted by jamesjill on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 20:23

Success with first project, I am very happy with it.... although I need to find a better way to square things.

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Camp Loft Bed for a Little Firefighter

Submitted by freemanitz on Sat, 02/16/2013 - 07:13

We built the camp loft bed for our 5 year old sons birthday. He wanted a firefighter bed, but we wanted something that would be a little more "flexible" for his room. The camp bed was perfect for him! The stairs were too deep for the room configuration, so we did not include the stairs, and instead purchased a sturdy stepstool from IKEA to match the bed. The double bonus is that when we read to him a night we can move the step stool and stand on it while we read the story! I made the firefighter station curtain/tent and attached it with a tension rod. We also constructed a large toy box on wheels to slide underneath the platform for his big toys like race tracks, etc. The bed is very sturdy, the set up is perfect for his small room, and he loves it. The bed was very easy to construct.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted glossy black.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Harvest Bench

I purchased a harvest table from a local store that sells only solid wood furniture.  The store had the option of purchasing a bench.  I decided that I could save some cash and make the harvest bench myself.

For details, check out my blog - http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/harvest-bench

 

Cheers,

Ian

Estimated Cost
$300.00
Finish Used
Custom Stain (optional) and polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

X Brace Twin Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/23/2017 - 14:24

We took the plans for the twin headboard modification and added an x brace to make it look like a barn door.  We also added a piece to the bottom for additional support for mounting to the boxspring as well as to prevent warping and narrowing of the posts.  

Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane 2X Ultimate Wood Stain in Early American and then lightly distressed. Minwax wipe on poly in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner