Community Brag Posts

This project evolved from us purchasing the wrong foam to go under 4 area rugs.  After it didn’t work for the first rug, we had 3 more rolls of the stuff that we couldn’t take back to the store (we had waited too long to do a return).  I originally had intended to buy an inexpensive sectional sofa for the downstairs family room, but with all this foam staring at me, I decided to put it to use and make sofa cushions.  There was enough foam to do a whole sectional!

The sofa frame is based on Ana’s Outdoor 2x4 Sectional sofa.  I adjusted the size, because the fabric I wanted to use was 54” wide, and that would fit nicely around a 22” deep x 4” thick cushion.  Each cushion is 11 layers of the foam (seat cushions: 67 x 22 x 4, backs: 67 x 18 x 4). That length for the cushions fit exactly into the 8 yards of fabric available on the bolt.  The next week I ended up going back for some more fabric for the corner cushion and an ottoman that's in work. 

I had the frame assembled and was ready to add the final upper back pieces, when Hubby suggested we give it a slanted back.  That required a little re-engineering and a couple of extra boards on the back and armless end.  Instead of using 2x4s the full length for the seat, I had used some 1x2 furring strips reclaimed from another project.  Also used some of those for the upright pieces for the backs.  Added some 1x6 to top the arms and ½ x 3 ½” craft boards to the front to hide the cut 2x4 ends.

The cushions are covered in a polyester faux tooled suede (fabric from Hobby Lobby).  The cushion covers are slightly loose on purpose, to give the nice worn squishy look that a real soft leather sofa cushion would have.

It’s surprisingly comfy and we love the look! 

Using Ana's great Reclaimed Soda Crate Caddy plan I built the perfect wood caddy for my bathroom by just adding rope handles and stenciling "BATH" to the front.

This was a fun and very rewarding project.  Thank you Ana for sharing your talent with us.  I got tired of stores wanting too much money for cheaply built bar stools, so I turned to the internet and found Ana.  These stools are quality built, and at a fraction of the cost.  The only thing I altered in Ana's original plan was the backrest.  I tried to build the horizontal braces but kept damaging the wood.  So I just built them vertically.

Picnic table is built of non treated pine. 2x6 and 2x4 only. I did stain as I went with outdoor stain just so everything would be protected. I don’t have the exact amount of wood bought but I think it is around 11 2x6 and 6 2x4. I used plans off of YouTube from A Simple Design of Ocalala. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WlprN_rUiJg

This was my first project that I took on from this site, and I was very happy with the result.

I used the plans from the Simple Sawhorse Table, and adjusted to our needs.

The only real adjustments were instead of using a solid top, I used 2 2x10's. I also made the total length 90" on top.

Very great site, and hope to be building more soon.

I made the $4 dollar chair and Ana Table. For the chairs I used 2x2's for the legs to help sturdy it up and because of that my seat slats are closer together. It's a very sturdy chair. I can sit on it and it doesn't budge.
The table was easy to do.

This was a project that took me about 4 weekends.  Last year I installed the French doors.  I decided that this was the year to finish them and the rest of my wife's office with a custom Wainscotting, based off the farmhouse style.  In order to keep it cheap, I used 4' x 8' sheets of 3/4" mdf.  I would then rip them to the width of my choosing, based upon design.  Overall, I used 4 4'x8' 1/4" plywood (for backing), I used 5 4'x8' 3/4" mdf... At a cost of $29/sheet. After installation, filling holes and seams, I primed then painted using a spray gun.  Total cost: about $350.  The room is much more rich, and really lightens up the space.  

Upcycle headboard bench made for a local fund raiser

I wanted a table like Ana's narrow cottage table, except I just wanted an open shelf instead of a drawer for a basket.

Here is my version modified to fit my needs. Thanks to Ana, of course. :)

This project is fun and relatively quick for the end result. All together, it took just over 20 hours. For the most part I followed the instructions and wood cuts according to the plan. I ended up having to tweak some things and I'm not sure if the error was in the plans provided online or my own error. Probably mine!

I thought I would add that, for the sign, I simply picked a font on the computer and printed out big letters (a size that would fit nicely on the sign) and then used those letters to trace out the border. Then I painted the letters by staying inside the lines! Easy Peasy. I used a small rustic rope and drilled holes in the sign to slip the rope through. I then tied knots so as to hold the sign in place. Works great and definitely completes the set. I thought about skipping the windows, but I'm so glad I did not. They really stand out and look amazing. My son loves to open them and just stare out (who knows what his imagination is making him see).

This bed is great because it allows for another area below. My son likes to turn on a lamp, sit in his chair and read. Thank you SO MUCH for this plan!!!

I found this fabulous vintage metal flat file cabinet at an antique store (Hunt & Gather Vintage Market, in Princeton, MA), but it didn't have a base or a top, so I went searching online for something that I could build.  The Corona Coffee Table plans were going to be perfect!  I just had to make a few adjustments:

1. Build it to fit my flat file cabinet.  
2. I didn't inset my apron 1x3 boards because I wanted the top ones to be flush with the edge of the flat file cabinet, and then I wanted the bottom ones to match.
3. There was a "lip" on the top of the flat file cabinet, so I had to build a thin trim around the bottom edge of the table-top.  This lip keeps the top from sliding off the flat file cabinet, but just to be sure there wasn't any wiggle, I put a bead of silicone around the top of the metal cabinet and then placed the wood top on.  

LOVE how this table turned out!  It's counter-height and the perfect centerpiece for my craft room.

Not much to say, just a quick project to use up some scrap lumber. Better to use it than burn it. 

I am close to completing an outdoor set with only the table to go. My parents are going to love this at their new house they are building!! I found the cedar 1x4's at home depot for about six dollars a piece. I painted the base a basic semi-gloss white before I built the bench. It's so much easier to paint first and build later. I have a few more touch ups but I am happy with it. I used the Kreg Jig Jr to screw in underneath($40), which made this project and every project I've done so far that much easier.

This was my first "real" project other than making a small bench to hold my miter saw in order to make this project! :)

Saw these plans and instantly fell in love. I knew my daughter's birthday was coming up soon (she turned 4) so I got to work!

I used Poplar wood that had different nominal dimensions than the standard making this project not nearly as easy as what it should be. A lot of headaches, but seeing Tatum's smile on her face when we revealed her surprise made it ALL worth it!

I mostly used my Kreg Jig and Kreg screws. Used my nailer to tack up all trim. used wood screws to secure all of the walls together through the legs.

For the stairs, I purchased a large bathmat from Walmart and cut it to fit each step. I tacked it down with some staples and adhesive. I used 12" continuous hinges for the stairs and they worked perfectly.

Keep in mind other expenses, as the bill can increase rather rapidly!

My total wood bill was $398...but I used Poplar. If you go with pine, it will cost you less. $40 for primer and paint. $100 for new twin mattress. $30 for protective mattress cover. $75 for pottery barn quilt set (eBay). $13 for carpet on stairs. $24 for hinges ($8 each)!! $28 for 2 sets of sheets...bringing the grand total to a whopping: $708!

This is my 2nd built and it was a fun one.  I built this table for a friend of mine and she wanted a different look to the table.  She picked Patina Green and Snow White paint for the base and legs.  First I applied the white paint, let it dry and then applied a very small amount of the patina green and dry brushed it in.  After it dried I used my sander to blend it in and have some of the wood grain to show.  On the table top, I applied the stain and let it dry over night and then sanded down (lightly) so the grain would pop.  She loved the different colors and look of the table.  She had the perfect chairs to match the rustic look.  Excellent project!

I wanted a new bed that was a little taller that the irobot vacuum could get under and the dog could not. Altered the modern queen sized farmhouse bed using mostly pallet wood to come up with this. Overall cost about $65 with the lights and all.