Community Brag Posts

Child's Rainbow Rocker toy

Submitted by jennibee on Wed, 06/10/2015 - 17:18

I originally found this on a Pinterest link. The DIY'er kindly blogged instructions as well as a template file for the side pieces. This is a child's rocker toy that uses non toxic food dye for the colored parts of the wood. A template is provided for the end pieces through a link provided or you can just eyeball your own. Overall, it is a fairly easy project but a bit time consuming.

When cutting out the template for the sides, it is best to cut the smaller holes first and the do the larger outer lines.

I used a Kreg's jig, Mitre saw, Jig saw, and a palm sander.

Estimated Cost
Estimated cost was around 50 dollars for the birch plywood end pieces and the inner poplar wood. Included in this cost was the two boxes of non toxic food dye and a box of Kreg's screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I use non toxic food dye/rubbing alcohol for the inner slats and MinWax polyacrylic for the end birch pieces.

A note about the food dyed wood: I used about 20 drops of food dye per 1/4 to 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol and applied with a foam applicator. You have to be careful of what you lean your wood up against or it will create a line as the dye leeches out onto the other object. If I had to do it over again, I would have painted one side, let completely dry and then do the other side.

Since it is a child's toy, consider that you will need to sand, sand, and sand the side pieces very smooth to make sure little hands do not get splintered.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pam the Goatherd

Fri, 06/12/2015 - 10:56

I've had this pinned on my board for a while now. Glad to see someone else has made it. I'm not in a hurry since my kids are all grown but no grandchildren yet. Someday I'll have a need to make it.

jennibee

Mon, 11/23/2015 - 07:17

Hi there. Thank you for the comment. My children are still using this. One thing I endede up learning is that the food dye needs to be sealed. I plan on using beeswax or something more natural to do it. If you don't, the color rubs off on the kids when they use it. :)

jennibee

Thu, 12/24/2020 - 12:45

Lianna, Hi there. Just saw this. For some reason, the link to the template I had on here is gone. So I did a google search and found this one:
https://www.scribd.com/document/370653463/Rainbow-Rocker-Template

Or you can go here: https://pin.it/5awfA92

You will have to have it enlarged. I got mine done at a local office supply store that could make larger engineer sized prints. I prefer to enlarge the entire print instead of printing off multiple sheets and taping it together.

End table- modified smaller plans!

Submitted by crgates89 on Wed, 01/03/2018 - 07:32

I wanted to build my wife a matching set of bedside tables for her birthday and loved these plans! However when I measured the space on either side of the bed found that these plans were too large. Some quick calculations later I modified the plans to create some smaller tables and it worked out perfectly! I removed two 2x4s from the top and the bottom shelf and took 7 inches off each of the aprons and voila, smaller tables!

 

i used minwax wood conditioner, “honey” stain and two coats of polyurethane. Very pleased with how they turned out and the wife was so surprised and happy! Thank you!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax honey stain with wood conditioner and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Grazing board

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 17:27

Used your idea of a grazing board or charcuterie Board to build one for my daughter for Christmas. I have made some cutting boards for her in the past but now she has a charcuterie board for the specific purpose.

Comments

Bristol Lounge Chair

Submitted by bruno3288 on Fri, 06/28/2013 - 07:29

Bristol chairs with an attached side table. I added a planter box under one of the boards to fill with ice and beverages.

Estimated Cost
60-65
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None as of yet but that is only because I have to sand some of the other boards.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar Planter

Used repurposed lumber for most of the project. Only thing I bought was the cedar pickets. This project cost less than $9

I also chose to cut the tops off and add mitered boards on top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than $9 as the pickets were the only item I had to buy. Around here they are 2.27 each.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Sliding door console

We doubled the height and added another shelf! Amazing build and amazing plans! Thank you!! This was our first build. We are novice

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250$
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Sunroom console table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 04:18

This was my first big project. I am a total beginner and was mot sure how it would turn out. Your plan was so easy to use. I am very happy with how it turned out and am excited for future projects.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Simple White Nightstand

It is a friend's birthday on 5/6 and I noticed she didn't have a nightstand so instead of buying a present, I decided to make her a nightstand. I really liked how the person who built "Lee and Beth's Simple Nightstands" used bead-board on the sides, and I have a lot of bead-board left over from our master bathroom renovation, so I decided to use it, too, and that way I wouldn't have to buy the wood for there, because I didn't have any extra plywood to use there. I also used the bead-board on the back and as the bottom of the drawer.

It looks more modern-cottage than it does modern, like I wanted, but it still looks good.

Pictures are of what it looked like pre-sanding and wood-filling, with 1 coat of the stain on it, and then finished with white paint.

With the combination of scrap wood and new wood, I only spent $20 on new wood for the project, and $5 on the drawer pull!

For the top, instead of a 1x12 and 1x3, I used a 1x12 and and then flanked it with 2 1x2s - for a more balanced look. I also cut the 1x12 at like 19 1/2 inches instead of 18 1/2.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I originally wanted this to look just like the one that Ana has posted (minus the distressing) - in an espresso stain with the brushed nickel pull on the drawer. I forgot to add the pre-stain and put the stain right on the wood and it looked horrible. The wood did not take the stain well, nor was it even, and the wood filler was visible all over the place. I decided to paint it a flat white instead. I put on 2 coats of white primer and 3 coats of FLAT white paint. I don't really like glossy paint as I feel like it's harder to get it to cover right. I haven't done it yet, but will add a couple coats of satin polyurethane to protect it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farm House Table

Submitted by lscrandall on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 08:23

Ana thank you for the wonderful plans. It was my first major project, and it will not be the last. I purchased your book this weekend and love it!!! Thank you for all you post to your site.

Estimated Cost
$127.50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I also conditioned the pine wood before I stained so it would not become so blotchy like pine wood can.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

sgilly

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 10:50

This really turned out nicely! Great job.
I'm really impressed with your clean garage floor, too! :-)

Pottery Barn Inspired Truss End Tables

Submitted by Amandaard on Mon, 06/22/2015 - 14:11

I changed up the plans so this table would fit my space better. This was my first time building with a Kreg jig and a miter saw(I'm a newbie). Love how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot brand in Aged Leather. One coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Just my size closet

Finally got around to getting my daughter's closet organized. Made some adjustments to the plans to better fit our size needs. Everyone in the family is very happy with how it came out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Christmas tree shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 12:16

I’ve made a couple of items from the website but this is one of my favorites and I’ve got a bunch of family orders for next year.

Rob Bakker
Calgary, AB

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Not so "Rhyan" Nightstands

Submitted by Kimbers on Sun, 05/08/2011 - 19:05

I used the Rhyan end table plan (with a few alterations) to make my nightstands. I changed the dimensions so mine turned out to be 20”D, 25”W, 27”H, I extended the side and back panels all the way to the top to close in the shelf and I made the bottom drawer larger. I decided to use under mount drawer slides but I think I will try out the side mount slides in the future though.

I wanted them to match the headboard and bench that I made for my bed so I added the same molding that I used on those pieces to finish it off.

I pre cut every piece for the main body of the nightstand and predrilled all of the Kreg holes which made it a really quick piece to put together! I purchased the Mini Kreg jig for this project and am so glad I did. Totally worth the money!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $80 For 2 Nightstands
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted with Rust-oleum painters touch semi gloss white and then sprayed a few coats of polyacrylic on the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Minnie Mouse step stool

It was time for potty training and when it came time to wash her hands her arms were a little too short. So I threw this step stool together over a few hours and with the little one being a Minnie Mouse fan I had to add the Mickey head. Great project for those wanting something easy and quick.

Estimated Cost
$15-20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Disney paint from wal-mart and Rustoleum clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

disneynut

Fri, 07/05/2013 - 05:37

I loooove this! Nice job! I will have to add this to my to-do list. Thanks for sharing :)

Tryde coffee table

I've made a couple of tables from this plan now, and I love the simplicity of it. I changed the top to 1x4, 1x6 so that it doesn't look so bulky.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
stain, Minwax Red Chestnut. Polyurethane three coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pantry Shelves

Submitted by DIYAZMOM on Wed, 12/29/2021 - 09:03

We enclosed an unused wet bar and then I built the shelves to make it into a pantry.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Stratton Daybeds times Two

Submitted by karahart on Wed, 05/11/2011 - 08:25

I built my first daybed in May of 2010, and my second one in August of 2010. I've since moved one of the daybeds to my new nursery I'm creating. These beds are so versitle, so sturdy, and can be moved anywhere and 'go' with whatever decor. I love both of them!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450 for BOTH beds
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I primed the beds with Kilz oil based primer, then added a bunch of ultra white paint by Behr. I finished with sanding down the edges and staining them, before applying a top coat of polycrylic. Only use polycrilic, not polyurethane for white painted furniture!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Allen/ Ana White Island

Submitted by tfj1283 on Sun, 07/07/2013 - 17:16

This was my husband and my first DIY project and we were thrilled at the outcome! It took us a day to build and then a couple days to stain and paint.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
It is stained with min wax Jacobean and painted with Martha Stewart's Barn red. This was a super fun project; thanks Ana White!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Industrial Coffee Table

Built this industrial coffee table without plans

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut, paint, polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments