Community Brag Posts

I took this project on not sure how it would come out and I am very happy with the results!!

I wanted to create a library table (big desk) for my two youngest boys so they would have a craft/homework space. I liked the plan for rustic x console so I adapted it to make this 7 ft desk. Kids love it so much I couldn't even get a picture of it before they started using it.

Me: Hey can we get a new TV?

Wife: No, there is nothing wrong with ours.

Me: Darn, ok. Hey what if I build this cool frame around it?

Wife: <3 <3 <3 OK! <3 <3 <3

Me: Win.

So this is a project from quite a while back, one of my first builds that got me hooked on woodworking actually. I made a few modifications (obviously) since our TV was super thin it just wasn't going to work the way I wanted. I decided to go with more of a tapered look instead. It was my first experience with the "antiquing" technique, after lots of trial and error I ended up getting the look we were going for. It was overall a fun and fairly easy build, with a few learning moments along the way. The only time any of these projects seem "complicated," is when you over think everything, like I do :)

I've used Ana's plans for several builds in my house and this one was so much fun to build. I love the way it turned out and think it looks great! Thanks for all the great plans Ana! Keep them coming and I'll keep building. :) 

11' Rustic Farm Table made out of 2" rough cut pine. Used a couple different plans from here and just kinda made it work to fit the space. Used a power sander to add some character and to smooth it out and wear it down in spots. Some of the wood wasn't as bluish gray, so I soaked steel wool in white vinegar and brushed it on, seemed to help a bit, especially on the fresh cuts.

I had so much fun doing the prototype of the pirate’s treasure trunk, I built another one today! It was a super-fast build, and I did some things differently today which really speeded up the finishing process.

The first difference on this one is the use of the ½” x 2 ½” angle. It’s the next size larger than the one from yesterday. Instead of using the screws that came with it, I used some 1 ¼” Kreg screws. The hardware and screws are painted with some gloss black paint. I think it made for a sturdier hinge, so I’ll be doing them that way from now on. I also made a little “gasket” out of felt to go behind the bracket at the bottom where the pivot screw is attached. I’m hoping this will protect from friction over time.

For the finish, I started it with the gray wash just like the original. For the walnut glaze, instead of mixing the Minwax Express Color with mixing glaze, I just diluted it with some water. This dried much faster, but it gave the same look. I added 2 coats of Minwax oil modified water based poly before attaching the hardware. I still used the super glue before attaching with the furniture nails, but skipped the mod podge step, and just went over the hardware and keyhole with an artist’s brush and some poly.

All the wood was scrap and the finishing materials were left over from other projects. I bought the corner brackets and the larger angle brackets this morning at Ace for $7.50. These pieces cost a little more than Lowe’s, but Ace was closer so it saved me a trip.

There's another one of these in work (a lady’s trunk) which I will post later.

Used scrap cedar fence pickets for this build- only sanded the roughness off the top so that the saw marks remained to give it a rustic look.  added tea stain then steel wool vinegar mix to age the boards, then a coat of poly on top.  Very quick build, held together by brad nails. 

This project took an afternoon to cut and assemble and a morning to paint. I wanted to try a light grey stain but only had dark browns on hand so I did a grey wash with some grey paint I had from another project and wiped down with an old rag. I love how it turned out! The X’s Were a little tricky for this beginner but I figured it out after a refresher course with the speed square. 

For years I have wanted a dining room table with benches and after searching the net for plans for my husband to make it happen, I found Ana's site and knew that it was a possibility to build it and that it didn't have to be a project only for my husband. My husband built the table and my first build was the benches. My husband found a couple of wrought iron balusters that he used at supports on the table legs. We used 2 x instead of 1x which gave it a much bulkier look.

I had an old bookshelf in the garage.....wobbly and just not having any justice. I took it apart and turned it into a play kitchen. Used the plans and modified to what wood I had available from the shelves.

Got some butternut from a friend and here it is.

First time building furniture and enjoyed the project.  I used better lumber as I wanted to avoid paint but it turned out well for my first try.  Thank you Ana White for a good set of plans.

Like so many others, I saw this and had to have one of my own. It was cute and quick - perfect! I had the same height issues that others had. The center supports are too tall for the 1x2 and 1x3 on the front. I wound up using all 1x3's, 2 on the front and 3 on the back. Because the cubbies came out a bit deeper, I thought I would try it as a utensil holder in the kitchen. Cute, huh.

Loved working on this table. An easy build for sure. Couldn't find wheel casters that I liked so had to use another 4x4 to give it height. Will be building another one soon :)
Thank you so much for sharing the plans.

I built this indoor playhouse for my daughter who turned 2 in september. She loves to help mommy cook, loves to have little tea party's for her dolls and love to watch Chip n' Dale terriorize Donald Duck. So I thought I would give Alexandra her very own little house to do all those things. I hope you all like it and have just as much fun building one of these as I did. 

My wife wanted a small bench for our entryway/foyer.  I happened to have some reclaimed pine barn wood laying in my shop, so I whipped this up.  

The original plan was to use a colored wax or thinned paint on it to give it a weathered appearance (which is why I did screws and plugs from the top - I thought they were going to be painted over), but the wood turned out too beautiful with all of the character.  We couldn't bring ourselves to paint it.

There are a few more pics and details in my blog post about this small reclaimed barn wood bench.

This was my first furniture project. I made this desk/vanity for my twin daughters' 9th birthday. I sized them to fit the space and added doors rather than drawers. I also made the stools using the plans for the upholstered bench - just resized. It was a fun project and I can't wait to start another! You can read more on my blog: http://karlakroese.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-hobby.html

My friend "Lisette" asked for a small modern coffee table. For her small studio apartment. So I came up with this modern-ish table. Made of 2x2's and a 20"x40" glass top.I found it on the side of the road with a FREE sign on it in Pacific Beach. Oh how I love beach people and all the free stuff they leave around :)