Community Brag Posts

Outdoor day bed

Submitted by TamTamW on Wed, 07/03/2019 - 09:28

Loved making this. Used old sun curtains and a sheet for extra splendor. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Compost Bin

In my endeavor to be more green and self-providing, I started a backyard garden this past Spring. Thanks to the Texas heat, it was not as fruitful as I would have liked. I won't just blame the weather, but my novice status. I kept thinking I should have done more to amend the soil. So, I have been tossing around idea of composting to make my own nutrient rich soil and have a better experience with my garden next year. So, I found these plans online and I modified them down to a single 2'x2' sized bin. It also had to be mobile in that I could move it around my yard if I need to find a better place for it.

From Plan: Build A Compost Bin www.lowescreativeideas.com
http://lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Building-a-Compost-…
Estimated Cost: $20 for Lumber $13 for Hardware Cloth $14 for Galvanized Hinges
Estimated Time Investment: 3 hours
Required Skill Level: Intermediate
Type of Wood: Cedar and Pine
Finish Used: Natural/Matt Finish

I was able to use some left over wood for my project, but the estimate above would represent all wood being purchased. I was not really happy on the price of the galvanized hinges and I used two of them at $7 each.

The plans also called for 2x6's for the bottom, but that sized plank would have made it very very heavy and to me the whole point of having a bottom to your compost is so that you can move it if need be... so I use 1x4's

Since I didn't want my compost to come into contact with pre-treating chemicals, I did not use pretreated wood. Instead, I put a light coating of a matte finish on only the wood that would stay in contact with moisture. Otherwise, I want the cedar to mellow and age.

My final cost was about $40 using some left over wood. In one case, I actually used my Kreg Jig to create a 2x4 of appropriate length with some of my scraps. Worked beautifully. Also used it on the lid, as you can see in the picture.

Baby Doll Bunk Bed

Submitted by beingbrook on Sun, 12/18/2011 - 21:27

We made the doll bunk bed for our daughter's Christmas gift. We didn't modify the plan at all and the bed is a great way to use scraps since many of the wood pieces are pretty short. If I made another bunk bed I think I would paint the boards before assembling the bed because I think we spent twice as much time painting as we did building!

Estimated Cost
$10-15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of Behr Refreshing pool
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

LisaT (not verified)

Mon, 12/19/2011 - 05:18

This is sooooooo adorable! I almost wish my daughter was little again!

karab

Mon, 12/19/2011 - 10:03

I totally agree with you. I made several of these for my nieces for Christmas. They went together so fast....until the painting. I will definitely pre-paint next time. I have enjoyed many of your brag posts. You do excellent work!
Merry Christmas!

Braden Entry Lockers and Benchs

This project was for a garage entry and is perfect for what was needed. As described in the plans, it took about 9 hours. We chose to use Home Depot instead of Lowe's for materials. Some cuts were not done correctly and some missing. Went back once to complete. Rented a Nailer which was huge! Well worth it. The plans did not include how to attach the lockers to the benches, so we used 'L' brackets. May have missed those directions somewhere? We had orignally planned to make 3 benches and 4 lockers. Decided to use an existing bench in place of the middle Braden bench and worked just fine. Would not use pine again, but only plywood. Many pieces were warped and difficult to get lockers square, and we picked out the lumber! We chose not to add the drawers to the benches, but will add canvas bins for shoes.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss White Bear Premium Primer/Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Thanks for the inspiration!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/25/2016 - 06:17

Made a round top 61" from 2x6 ripped to 5" wide so I deviated slightly for a wider bottom (42") and top (58") base. Used the cross pattern instead of the decorative supports. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

looking to whitewash whole thing or gray stain bottom and dark stained top. 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Cost
$195.00 unfinished
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet. Thinking gray stain bottom dark stain top. Or just classic semi gloss white.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Armoire with Mirror

Submitted by DCecil43 on Mon, 07/08/2019 - 20:12

I didn't find plans that I liked on this site but I took what we had and modified it to be taller and wider.  Drawers are also a lot deeper.  This was a really tough one for me as there was so much going on but in the end, this came out absolutely amazing!

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax True Black Stain and Minwax Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Standing Outdoor Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 06:42

A friend of mine has issues with her knees but loves gardening so I built this to allow her to continue gardening. She loved it.

I didnt follow any particular set of plans I watched several you tube videos and combined different ideas from the videos to develop my own plan.

Comments

Craft table

I used the plans for the cfaft table top and shelf but changed a few things. On the left side table i made a shelf/cubby hole for wrapping paper and some small shelves I think it came out good!

Estimated Cost
85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
java bean semi gloss on top sides sherwin williams mocha
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Dog Day Bed

I used the farmhouse doll bed as inspiration, and ran with it. Mostly I made it up as I went along- but it's sturdy, and cute. I still need to finalize the cushion, but I'm happy with it overall.

Estimated Cost
20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
walnut gel stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sand and water table

I love this table!  On cool winter mornings we fill it with warm water.  The built in umbrella stand will be essential once the Texas sun comes out.  

Hopefully it buys me some free time to finish some projects!  laugh 

I already have lots of requests to build more of these for friends and family.  I have some edits in mind to make it a little faster and easier next time.

Many thanks to Ana and all the contributers for all the inspiration and tips!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Love the console

Submitted by Sissy0820 on Wed, 07/17/2019 - 17:56

I love how this console turned out I made a few changes > Made it taller at top to fit the larger hardware and changed the top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
painted base white , burned top then clear coated it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Custom Storage Bench

Storage bench using Shelf Help by Judith Noffz

"What can I say … we love Ana White’s Shelf Help Now.
We both love the quality of the wood. You just can’t find that around here. I love that I can create what’s in my mind with a drawing and rob can take her template and build!!!"

kids table & chairs

Clara table with one piece top and chairs modified with 2x2 legs and one piece seat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Table:
1. One coat primer
2. Two coats Behr swiss coffee
3. Distressed and sealed Minwax clear satin poly
Chairs:
1. One coat primer
2. Two coats Benjamin Moore summer shower
3. Distressed and sealed Minwax clear satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Project

My 11 year old is a girlie girl and has been asking my wife and I for the American Girl Star Armoire cabinet for 2 years. I found a similar plan here on Ana-White's Plan page. I decide to use a little nice quality wood (Aspen) instead of just a clear pine wood. It turned out nicer than even I could have expected.

My daughter got this for her 11 Bday this past Sunday and has already filled the cabinet with all her special AG Dresses. I added my own twist by putting a 1/4" Chalkboard back on it so she can use it to play school with her AG Dolls.

I have a couple people interested in making one for them for Christmas. :)

My next project will be one of the bunk-beds featured on Ana's website.

Estimated Cost
$72.00 (Material & Hardware ONLY)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
My friend has a "cup gun" sprayer and the cabinet has 3 coats of white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bhammond

Fri, 11/15/2013 - 17:19

Beautiful cabinet, and what a treasure for your daughter! How did you make the star so flawlessly?

Nice work!

4x4 truss beam table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/31/2016 - 13:30

My wife's cousin builtthis table using your plans and we loved it. I wanted a lager table, so I made a few modification. The table top is 5 8 ft 2x10's. I love the finished product. More importantly, my wife loves it! Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Cost
Approximately $200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax classic grey and 2 coats of minwax semi gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by kne16415 on Thu, 12/29/2011 - 12:53

Farmhouse doll bed with adorable bedding made

Estimated Cost
10.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Retirement Gift Man Crate

Submitted by JoanneS on Sun, 11/17/2013 - 09:34

This man crate is a gift for a co worker who is retiring. We'll put all his keepsake gifts in here and he'll have to open it with a crowbar. :) The dimensions on this were adjusted to the size of 17" long, 12" wide, and 10 3/4" high (about the size of a case of copier paper). It is made with 1/2" birch plywood and poplar craft boards. I chose to use the hardwood plywood since I found out folks would be signing it, and it's much easier to write on this with a ballpoint pen than on regular plywood. Plus, less sanding for me to do ! ;)

To keep it from being so heavy when it's filled, I substituted 1/4" plywood for the top and bottom, and left the trim off of the ends. I arranged the pieces so the trim on the front & back covered the cut ends of the 1/2" plywood.

The lettering was traced on (it's "Stencil" font, in 105 pt size, printed from Powerpoint) using a ballpoint pen to dent the surface, then a black Sharpie pen to outline. Hubby thought it looked nice just with the letters in outline, and that's shown in the picture.

Also on this one, I made a little gift tag with some clip-art, and mod-podge'd it to the bottom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 for hardwood plywood and poplar trim boards
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished - left it this way to make it easier for folks to sign the crate.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Tue, 11/19/2013 - 16:03

The man crate was a big hit at the retirement party! I think we're starting a tradition ;) We had his wife stash the crowbar, and when it was time for him to open it, we asked, "does anyone have a crowbar?" - and then his wife said, "Here you go!" and pulls one out of her shoulder bag! It was a hoot! :)

Classroom Central

As a teacher, I rarely sit at my desk. I usually end up just piling stuff on it! I have a podium I use for my laptop and resources as I teach. This unit replaces the secondhand bookcases I’d had as well as the storage for items like post-its, highlighters, pencils, etc. that were in my desk drawers. I have so much more space without the bulky teacher desk! Note: the doors are not on the original plan. I bought special project pine that was 16” wide, and cut them to 14 3/16” width.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained it with brewed tea, then finished it with Spar Urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate