Community Brag Posts

St Louis Cardinal Cart

Submitted by g-berd on Wed, 06/10/2015 - 09:25

My first try and I had a blast. Being a St Louis Cardinal fan I decided to give the "simple rolling bar cart" a cardinal twist. It is great for using beside a BBQ grill. I actually gave this to my pastor for "Pastor Appreciation Day" and plan to build me another one.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Doll beds

Submitted by Kimberwdld on Tue, 01/02/2018 - 09:14

We had our first American Girl Doll Christmas ... and it was a big hit ... the girls all love their American girl dolls.

 

So we decided to make them beds.  Found Ana project on line ... and it was so fast and easy, thank you.

 

We made 3 beds, from the supply list ....  and 1 cradle, from an old oak magazine rack we found at the thrift store ... turned out so cute.

 

And we are looking to make the couch and chair set.

 

Thanks you again,   Kim

Estimated Cost
less than $25.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
sanded, paint and clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

1st Porch Bench I made

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 16:49

This is the first bench I have ever made.

Comments

Queen Storage Bed with Drawers!

This was our third major building project (I've built some frames and small shelves in my free time but our other two big projects were the bunk beds and the tryde coffee table).

This was our first time cutting plywood boards and it was a huge chore at first, until we got the hang of it and built a good circular saw guide that cut our cutting time by more than half.

We couldn't find the type of drawer slides we needed so we decided to forget them and built our own wood slides. They basically are just L-shaped brackets made of 1x3 (on the bottom) and 1x2 (on the top), adjusted to the right spot to hold the drawers in place. A little candle wax (a trick learned from my husband's grandfather) is all you need to make them slide nicely. All in all, we built drawer slides out of wood for the about $20 total. Huge savings and honestly I think I like it better that way.

Things I learned during this project:
Plywood is a lot heavier than I ever imagined.
Cutting plywood is not fun.
I will never complain again about cutting boards with the miter saw!
Stainable wood putty is a joke. You can clearly see every spot I puttied. From now on we buy the colored stuff that already matches the stain!
Building drawers isn't scary--I thought it would be. I actually built all the drawers by myself in one morning, when hubby wasn't even around to help.
90-degree gripper things are a must have. And the more you have, the better.
Elmer's wood glue is really stronger than nails. We glued something and didn't like it and were unable to break it off so we had to nail it as it was!

This project took us nearly a month, but to be fair, I was out of town for two weeks of that time and this is definitely a project for four hands, not two.

Overall, it was a great experience and I'm so excited for the extra storage--our house is small but we don't want to move so we are trying to make use of every inch of space, without the house LOOKING like we are making use of every inch of space.

Next up: new bedside tables to match the bed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400-$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane American Walnut: two coats. Applied with paint brush, allowed to soak and then excess wiped with old socks (loved the old sock trick, thanks, Ana).

One coat of minwax semi-gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sandbox (plus stage and puppet theatre)

I started with the original plans for the sandbox with the benches, and then just sort of took off with the modifications.

When it's open, it's a 4'x6' sandbox with a bench on one side and a canopy overhead. When it's closed, it's a stage complete with curtains, or can also convert into a puppet theatre.

I had to make several adjustments to the original plan to allow for enough support for the stage to be walked (and danced) on, including an extra armrest in the bench, and a few blocks built up from the base of the sand area. I also used 1x6 boards for the top instead of 1x4, to cover the entire 4' with only the one bench.

Thanks so much for the plans, my girls love it! (and thanks to KnittingEmily for posting the plans for the 6' sandbox, which gave me a jumping off point for the sizing I used.)

The story of how I built it can be found here:
http://www.thislemonyogurt.com/a-box-of-sand/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lasso the Moon

Fri, 06/28/2013 - 07:51

Oh, this must seem magical to those little ones. It looks like so much fun. Great job!
Anna

DIY Restoration Hardware Queen Bed Frame

This bed frame was born from a compromise of Will’s desire for something soft to lean on, my desire for something rustic, and both of our desires to have a bed that doesn’t slowly inch away from the wall. What happened was an amazing Restoration Hardware meets Pottery Barn DIY masterpiece.

This thing is sturdy! No wiggling or anything. And that headboard is ultra comfy and plush!

We used 2 – 2×4’s instead of 4×4’s for the posts because the 4×4’s are pressure treated.
We put in an upholstered headboard instead of planks and “sandwhiched” it on all sides rather than only top and bottom. It was at this point that we realized that we liked the way the simple, framed upholstered portion looked so much that we didn’t want the posts on the outside and the trim pieces on top. So we left those off.
Another change here is that the head board became a little wider than the Anna White plans… that would be because I did not measure along the edge of the upholstery… Also, it was taller than the Anna White plans because I wanted plenty of the upholstered section to lean on/show up above our pillows.
The foot board then needed to be a little wider as well, and there was no clean way of doing that. We figured it out, and I built it pretty easily. However, I did not take into consideration the fact that, although the headboard was wider…. The posts were not. This created problems during assembly.
One last change, was we made it about 6″ taller than the plans to give us room for under the bed storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dartboard Cabinet

Submitted by Knathu121 on Fri, 01/05/2018 - 20:38

I made this dartboard Cabinet from pallets to give it a really rustic and weathered look. I stained it with rustoleum weathered wood accelerator. 

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cottage end table w/ rustic x

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 21:51

Made the cottage end table, but through in the rustic x style. I really needed a narrow end table. Oh and I threw a shelf on the bottom. First time making a drawer! Loved it!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Entry table

Submitted by Marisol on Wed, 05/04/2011 - 20:14

2nd project, but learning quickly! :)

I first started with the wall treatment, love board and batten walls, they add such a crisp look and tons of character, but then the entry way was a little bare. So I needed a table for our keys and some lighting...so this table was perfect, narrow and Pottery Barn looking...

It took about 1 hour to build, including cuts and everything....the staining was the task...my God was I impatient!
I started with the wood conditioner, which only gives you a 2 hour window to add the stain, but do need to wait 15 minutes to start...then I did 2 coats of dark walnut stain and after 8 hours of drying time came in the top coat...which takes 4 hours to dry and then a 2nd coat needed to be added (which I skipped) but I love the color, love the turn out.

So light, I carried it ALL by myself. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner & Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Little helper

Submitted by dijo284 on Sun, 06/30/2013 - 14:01

We used ana's plans and they were great!
We did not do the curved pieces we made it square all the way around. We did the modification and used hinges.
We have all the pieces for the anti-tip and will be adding that later.
We added on extra side pieces for safety using industrial strength velcro so they can be removed in the future when our 15 mo old gets big.
We do not own a kreg jig....so we just did screws and wood glue...making sure to pre-drill holes since the wood is thin and could split...

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We will be painting or staining in the future.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Slatted bench

Such an amazing and easy project with a big impact in a home or outside. A few 2x4's and 1 bys. I wanted to keep the original look of the wood but want to enhance the gain and add a little richness to it. I applied a natural stain and 3 coats of brush on poly. I started with spray on and that stuff sucks!!! More of it gets wasted in the air then on your material. Finished the bottoms with some felt rounders and voila!!!

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural stain and Clear gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

SeltzerandSon

Mon, 07/06/2015 - 15:38

Hi I'm sorry I just saw this. I personally don't have plans but can write some out for you if that helps. I just made another bench and stained it a kona color and it looks amazing!

Nightstand

Submitted by fiddlepics on Mon, 01/08/2018 - 07:24

Built this nightstand for my boy's bedroom- built the farmhouse headboards to match. Was a straightforward project. I actually bought a circular saw instead of having the store make the cuts- best decision ever. Much better to cut as I go along. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax penetrating stain- 2 coats dark walnut, 1 coat red mahogany. Spray Minwax Lacquer in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Your kitchen island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 11:27

My first real project, which you gave me the courage to try!!! The kitchen island!
Made one error that I had to spend a bit of money to correct but in the long run the finished product is beautiful, I even used the same color you used.
After that success my daughter-in-law asked me to build the changing table for my expected granddaughter, I went into that with a little more confidence. Thank you for the inspiration that you give so many!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Crate Cart

You would think I would build this first because it was EXTREMLY easy. This was so fun to make and it's perfect for my daughters toys (junk). I used all reclaimed pallets except for the sides. The only reason it cost $8 is because the wheels were $5.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8
Finish Used
Sanded
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Bottle Cap Tray

Submitted by Jann Antos on Wed, 07/03/2013 - 18:29

How to build a Bottle Cap Tray AND what NOT to do.

These Bottle Cap Trays are sold for 45+ Bucks online. I spend maybe 15$ on it.

You need a lot of Friends drinking a lot of different Beers... For this tray i needed 88 Caps. I also asked Bartenders and Co-Workers to collect Caps. As more colorfull you get as better. Twist off Caps are the best behause they do not have dents.

I bought the Tray at Hobby Lobby for 3.99$ (you can also build one from a Plan from this Side) and after sanding with 220Grid i stained it to fit my Home Bar. After lay out the "Design" i removed them all and lay them in the back of the now empty tray.

2 Ways to glue the Caps to the Board:

1. Hot Glue (be carefull the Caps get very Hot)
2. I poured just a small amount of the Epoxy in there and pushed the Caps into the Ressin...

How to mix Ressin...

Read the Manuall!!! The first 2 Trays i poured to much and then it gets very very hot and ruin everything (see second last Picture). 2nd Glue the board to the Walls, if the Ressin runs out of the Tablet it is also a great mess!

I Used 2 small cups messured it and Mixed it in the Red Solo Cup...

Put the Tablet on an even surface (protect it) and pour a small amount into the tray... Level it and then put the Caps in there and use a torch to get rid of the Air Bubbles. I needed 3 layers to Cover all Caps. Keep it Dustfree during curing - very important .

I let it cure for 12 Hours bevor the next layer was applied. Total Curie after 72 Hours...

Sorry for Bad English - i am German...

Hope that helps to build your own Bottle Cap Tray...

And made it as colorfull as possible. I aranged them to face One Side but you also can turn them happy around.

Thanks for comments and Reading

Jann

Estimated Cost
15$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Espresso Stain
Polyurethane
Shellac
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Bed #2

Submitted by The_big_al on Wed, 06/24/2015 - 22:10

This is bed #2! Bed #1 can be found here: http://ana-white.com/2015/06/DIY_furniture/1st-time-project.

The original plan was to make our daughters bunk beds but during the construction of bed #1 we decided to put the oldest into her own room. This move prompted me to find a way to differentiate bed #2 from bed #1.

The headboard and foot board were again kept equal sizes although I did not make them as tall. They are taller than the footboard of the original plans. I used the headboard measurement of the headboard for the posts to make the post stand taller than the rest of the head and foot board giving it a slight 4-poster look.

I would also like to point out that I made the entire head and footboard an inch narrower. When I made the first bed, because of the way I attached the side rails to the 4x4 posts, it created a bed frame 3 inches wider than the plans called for. Because of this, the mattress on bed #1 has about an inch or so gap on either side when it sits in the frame. It's not a huge deal, but it was something I wanted to try and correct. So I loped an inch off the total width. I compensated by making the end filler pieces of the slat portion narrower. I would even go so far as to cut an even 3 inches off the entire width and the mattress would sit tight in the frame.

As with bed #1 I decided to use bolts instead of screws to hold the bed together. It makes for a much sturdier bed and it can be dis-assembled in a matter of minutes moved and reassembled without losing any structural integrity. The flowers on this bed hide the holes I had to drill to counter sink the bolts and the holes I drilled to access the bolts to attache the washer and nut. I was able to get just deep enough on the 2x6 side rail that I didn't need to drill all the way through as I had on bed #1. This was something I learned as I began to assemble bed #2 to get it ready for paint.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
This bed cost around $150 to build including the trim and paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
As with bed #2 various modifications were made to the plans. I shortened and raised the headboard and footboard. I made it narrower. I did this because instead of the rail attaching to the edge of the post as the plans direct, I attached the side rails in the center of the post. I also did not build the mattress frame as directed. Instead I just ran a 2x2 down each side of the side rail. This was sufficient as the mattress frame was no longer a part of holding the bed together.

I added bevels the wood slats with a router and added the same bevel to the tops of the posts and the the 2x4 cap inbetween the posts. This gave the bed a much more finished look instead of looking like painted raw lumber. The flowers and letters were acquired at a craft store and painted using craft paint and then sealed with a spray on clear lacquer finish. I used a pin nail gun and wood glue to attache them to the bed. Caulking and wood filler to fill in any screw and nail holes was also used to give the bed a complete finished look.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Crate Caddy

Submitted by rhonit on Tue, 05/10/2011 - 14:25

Using old barn wood, too short for anything else. Love that four regular Mason jars can fit in it, and it is ideal for taking silverware outside for the BBQ's.
Cost was zero, all wood was from the scrap pile. Put together with a brad nailer, the is no finish on the wood. Actually build time was less then a hour. "Including clean up"

Estimated Cost
$0
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Medickep's simple console table

Submitted by Medickep on Sun, 07/07/2013 - 07:24

I made this entry table to go by our front door. It's a spin off from the "console table" posted by Anna. I read some of the comments from people who had problems with her plans as a result of different standards in lumber and decided to alter this some!

I cut the side braces short enough so when I included the measurements of the legs the actual table top extended approx. 3/4" further past the legs and apron of the table. I also went with one sheet of wood on the table top and finished it up with some trim around the edge of the table top.

Estimated Cost
80-100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Finish Used: I wanted to paint the table to matched a near bye coat rack I made. I primed the table first and painted it with three coats of Behr premium paint. I also used a polyacrylic to protect it a little from my boys. I did three coats on all of it and two additional coats on the front of the legs, apron, table top and bottom brace. Make sure you sand with 300-400 grit between coats!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

barnboard cooler

Submitted by Nickles on Sun, 06/28/2015 - 10:35

I followed a killer bee plan for a rustic cooler that I found on your site. tweaked it a little and I'm still adding to the décor on the outside

Estimated Cost
Around $15 if you have glue and screws already. I also had the barnboard from a barn we tore down last year.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
no finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Second project ever

Submitted by NickC on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 13:10

This end table was the second woodworking project I have completed. The first was a doghouse that came out pretty well but was definitely not "furniture grade," so this time I knew I needed to up my game. For the most part, I think I did do that. It was not a completely seamless process, but considering my newness and the number of new skills involved (e.g., pocket holes, staining and polyurethaning) I like how it came out. It also showed me how I can continue to improve my skills so that the next projects will be even better still. The pine 2x4's were very easy to work with and dried out nicely once I got them home to reveal a nice grain. Clearly I have to learn how to cut boards to the same length, but that's part of what gives the project it's character (If you believe it then it's not a lie.). I also need to figure out how to sand polyurethane without scraping it and the stain all off. Thanks to Ana for developing this great page and for all the really nice plans on here. It made the whole process far less intimidating. (sorry for the sideways pics)

Comments

10 Dollar Ledge Shelves

Submitted by ValGal222 on Wed, 05/11/2011 - 20:40

Thanks Ana, I no longer "Think I Can"- I KNOW I CAN! : )

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet, need feedback on what color...
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project