Community Brag Posts

First Project With My Kids

Submitted by jigawatt77 on Mon, 04/20/2020 - 06:55

This started out as an idea for a hall tree, which none of expected to turn out great. But being in "lockdown" we needed something to do. After accidentally painting our interior entryway baby blue we decided to go with a nautical theme. As you can see, we used anchor style hooks and beadboard, which brought it all together nicely. The further along in the project planning. the more interested my children became. I'm not the most patient teacher and could have had this knocked out in a day. But it brought me so much joy and pride to see my children make something this beautiful. It really completes our entryway. The bench is more than sturdy enough for my very large self to sit on and the cats will probably claim it soon. We are just so happy with the end result. I can see this being the beginning of a lot of future projects and time spent together. My 10 year old daughter seemed particularly inspired by watching a very "girly" mom (Ana) building this. This project was meaningful. Thank you Ana White for sharing the info and know-how to get started on this journey!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
65.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
BEHR Cabinet and Trim Paint Semi Gloss Pre Mixed Bright White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Changing table

Submitted by Aerohawk on Tue, 04/01/2014 - 20:25

This was my first project so I stuck mostly to the original plan. The only change I made was to make the width 16 1/2 instead of 15 1/2 to fit the pad. I was going for a driftwood finish to match the crib we got.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Very light gray minwax stain followed by two coats of satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Stackable fruit and veggie crates

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/25/2016 - 23:31

 Love all of the projects on this website. I am just getting in to woodworking but am loving learning all of things that I can do with these wonderful plans. I used all 1x2s for my fruit and veggie crates since they didn't have what I was looking for here at my lowes. Kind of limited on lumber around these parts unless I drive an hour away. A good sanding and these crates came out great. Smooth and stylish!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No stain, just a good sanding.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

DIY Wine Caddy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/04/2023 - 09:04

One of my first projects…thank you Ana White for building my confidence in wood working! ❤️

Midge Newth

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Caitlyn's Reading retreat

This was not built using one of Ana's plans. I have a book of 2X4 projects that my daughter gave me and actually got me started woodworking. This beauty was one of the projects. It was easy to build and easy to put together but not easy to paint. The lattice was the cheapest she could buy and was "furry". I tried sanding which took forever but it was still a mess to paint. I am including the link to the plans: http://woodtools.nov.ru/projects2/WoodPlan/lattice-bower.pdf
If you build this be sure and sand and paint before putting together-it's so much easier.

It looks amazing in her backyard and she is loving it.

Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used 2X4s and lattice. If you can afford the better lattice-do it! We just painted it with an exterior flat paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

fancy x barn house table and benches

Well this is a project I made from plans from this site and we love it ! Is my first peace of furniture I've ever made and I think it was Farley easy my wife saw the pictures and ask me if I would make it & I was like I'll try and it turned out beautiful everyone who's seen it love it very sturdy actually it was completed right on time for thanksgiving day. I want to thank Anna and whoever posted those plans we love our big table and matching benches : )

Estimated Cost
about $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax pre-stain conditioner and minwax wood finish dark walnut 2716
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Ledges for two Kids

This was my first project after buying a miter saw. I used 2 inch screws to secure the back to the ledge, then nails (I think 2 inch?) to secure the front lip to the ledge. I then covered the nail holes with wood filler, painted with a white glossy paint that I had on hand for my house's trim, and secured into the wall with anchors and screws. 

 

It was a fairly easy project and I used the cheapest wood found at home depot (each ledge literally cost less than a dollar for the wood). It did take me several hours but considering it was my first project, it was pretty fast. I'm sure someone with more experience could knock these out in 1-2 hours! It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to build something else. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Off the shelf white interior glossy paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Shelving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/25/2020 - 18:07

I can't believe I did it!! It came out so good!! Thank you so much for the instructions ...I got a Kreg jig and I love it!!! I used it to connect all my wood except when putting the furring strips on the wall....I also added a support for the shelves that were only connected on two sides...this was my first wood project!😀

Estimated Cost
$120.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Island with Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/11/2023 - 09:17

I started with your basic plan but i slightly modified it with out the overhang too much and added a set of doors and covered where the seating would be. But it still has room for two seats .. I made mine rustic :-)

backyarddiybuilder.ca

Built from Plan(s)

Chloe's Purple Playhouse Bed

Saw this plan and knew I had to make it. This is her first BIG GIRL bed. Her reaction made it all worth it, "Daddy I am going to sleep in this bed FOREVER!" We stuck with the hinged storage under the first two steps but turned the space under the top step into a little closet for her dress up stuff. We also strung rope lights in the playhouse section for added fun lighting.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic Interior Latex Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

AnneP (not verified)

Fri, 11/23/2012 - 22:19

I'm going to build this for my granddaughter. She will absolutely love it. I'm having trouble figuring out the exact steps - which I need before I venture on this project. Trying to find accurate step by step plans for the stairs on the right side -- and all the walls too.
THANKS

Plywood farm plank floor

Submitted by ooupla2 on Sun, 04/06/2014 - 10:20

I was inspired by Ana to DIY and save a lot of money. I bought $17 plywood which was the cheap stuff. Lots of knots and rough. I sanded the plywood and cut it into 8 inch planks. I rounded the edges and stained it one time. I nailed it directly to the subfloor and used liquid nails as a second bonding agent. After the floor was nailed in I re stained it and applied 9 coats of flooring poly. It turned out so good im doing the entire 1400 sq feet upstairs of my home! I plan on making many of Ana's furniture projects to fill the rooms once its all complete!

Estimated Cost
$1.25 sq foot
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane diamond floor finish. semi gloss applied with Varathane Water Borne Applicator, reapply after 2 hours
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Park Bench Summer Build for Teens

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/03/2016 - 10:32

Our two teen boys (13 and 14) took this on for a summer project.  Their dad supervised the sawing, but it was a great first project for them.  The plans were FANTASTIC!  Everything went together perfectly, and we are super pleased with how it turned out!  It is a large bench that the entire family can sit on at one time.  Our dog is 60 pounds and she has a lot of room on it!  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
7 2x4=$30.59, 6 1x6=29.82, 1 lb 2.5 inch screws=9.37, 1 lb 2 inch screws=9.37, and a quart of stain=7.77. We have screws left and will use them on another project.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We stained prior to putting the bench together using Minwax Red Mahogany. We wanted a rustic look, so we did not fill the screw holes.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Sliding Barn Door Bookcase

Submitted by pballard14 on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 10:15

I used the plan but just made mine taller, some mistakes changed how some things looked and were done. It's always an adventure but fun!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Stain Classic Gray Water-based Interior Stain
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 32 oz. Ultra Cover Gloss Navy Blue General Purpose Paint
Shelves - Rust-Oleum Triple Thick Gloss Polyurethane,
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wall Shelving System

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/19/2023 - 17:17

This was a rewarding build as it was not complex but really adds to our music room. We built it to fit guitar cases under nearth. Basically like bulding 3 ladders and inserting shelves in between the rungs.

Doug and Tina Case

Tryde Coffee Table

My first project! Luci looks like a demon.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain and polycrylic by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Counter Stools

Submitted by bencorless on Tue, 04/08/2014 - 15:08

I slightly modified the plans to give them more of a "Saddleback" style. I used a 2x10 for the seat, then belt sanded for an hour to give it the concave shape.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/05/2016 - 19:52

I made this for my daughter as a Christmas gift.  She was thrilled and still plays with it every day.  The tutorials are detailed and easy to follow.  I used material left over from some of my other projects.  There was a learning curve for the sewing portion so it took me longer to learn how to use the sewing machine.  I am a better carpenter than a tailor :)

Thanks Ana...I will try more of your projects.  

Estimated Cost
$50 with bedding
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed - King Size

Submitted by steezyken on Fri, 05/01/2020 - 10:30

Relatively simple project. Just follow the the directions step-by-step and there will be no issues finishing in a day. Have to start early if planning to stain and complete in the same day.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Applied Dark Walnut Miniwax stain for 10-15 minutes followed by an Oil Based Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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