Ballard Inspired Wall Plaque Tutorial

Hey!  I am flying home from a family vacation today.
So, I am skipping the recipe party today!!  Sorry!
Please come back next week, I will have everything up and running!


Ballard Inspired Wall Plaque Tutorial

Submitted By Gwenny Penny

I guest posted on Craftiness is not Optional with this tutorial a few weeks ago as part of Jess'sThe Sincerest Form of Flattery series co-hosted by kojo designs...

The knock off I am sharing today is a woodworking project. I don't actually make many knock off projects. Here's what always happens to me... I see something at a store or in a catalog and think "I could make that", but then I never follow through or I figure out it would have been cheaper to just buy it. My knock off today, however, is a different story. I had the motivation (Jess asked me to guest post :) and I managed to knock off a $259 item for about $75. Ready to see it?

Here is the Ballard Designs Pruvost Wall Plaque...

image source

And here is my knock off...

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Walnut Stain... at last! Stair Update!

In case you want to follow along, check out these posts too: The Plan, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4

AHH!  I am so sorry that I have let this go for so long!  I have been trying to catch up with life since we got back from North Carolina, and a million things have been on my plate... learning to juggle it all is NOT my forte yet... and can I (sheepishly  Ba- aad Girl!) admit that we are technically not done completely with the stairs so that is another reason why I haven't finished up.  But this is real life... and a hectic one at that, so I am not sorry I am not quite done, but I am sorry to keep you'all hanging!

Okay where were we?  

We just filled the gaps on the sides.  and I painted... and then we lived like that for 1 year (at least...)  Finally a few months ago, after we had installed our flooring I realized that we could finally move forward.  We had been waiting on choosing our living room flooring, because we were trying to match it!

One day while Justin was at work and I had napping babies, I stained the bottom two stairs.

Before the stain, I used a wood conditioner, remember this is pine we were working with soft woods require a stain conditioner to help with even coverage!

 After the stain conditioner is applied, you can't see much of a difference?... well the gloves are moved.

 And finally stained!  YEA! 

This happened to be stain that we just had on hand, Minwax Dark Walnut Oil Based Stain, but you can see below that it matches really well, and will look even closer with a coat or 4 of poly!

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A Craigs List Kitchen Remodel

How to use Craigs List *and some patience* 

to Get Your New Kitchen!

Submitted by Binkies and Briefcases

Hi! I'm Stephanie from Binkies and Briefcases and I'm waaay beyond excited to have our kitchen featured here today! Remodelaholic is one of the very first blogs I started following and has been such an inspiration to me! We live in an old split-level house that was built in 1965, so we need LOTS of inspiration. My husband and I live on one income, have two little ones and another on the way, so we try to do all of our remodels on a tight budget. That's why we turned to Craigslist and ReStore when it was time to overhaul our kitchen.
So here it is, a story about how patience and hard work can get you what you want... i.e this-

Last week marked exactly 2 years since we began our Craigslist Kitchen adventure.

There is still a little bit of work to be done, but I thought it would be fun to look back and see how far we've come.

This was our kitchen before. I really don't have any kind words about it. The old disintegrating cabinets used to leave my dishes full of sawdust, the shelves were sagging and not secure, so I couldn't use half the cabinets anyway, there was a giant burn mark on the laminate counter, fake bricks, the floor wasn't level....I could go on, but I won't. I just tried to focus on the fact that one of the reasons we bought this house was because of the large rooms with a lot of potential.

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Farmhouse Bathroom 180 Degree Renovation

Farmhouse Bathroom Renovation

contributed by HollerDesign

This much needed renovation transformed a dark, outdated bathroom into a space more appropriate to this cute farmhouse. The design combines humble, traditional elements (a cast iron tub, white subway tile, wide plank flooring) with cleaner, more modern features (a wall mounted toilet, recessed lighting, and a vanity with clean overlay drawers.) 

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Amazing Attic Renovation: Boys Bedroom and Bathroom

Amazing Attic Renovation: 

Boys BedroomAnd Bathroom

contributed by ewe hooo!

This is the doorway to the bedroom my sons share. Funny, you'd think this would be the messiest room in the house— two boys sharing a room. But guess what? It's the neatest! Yes, after eleven months of paint-staking attic renovations (by my brother-in-law) and one home equity loan later, our boys prefer sleeping in the guest room downstairs. But I digress. The wooden arch was carved from a tree branch in my brother-in-law's backyard. Double pocket doors slide closed for privacy when they're older.

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Wood-burned Driftwood Wall Art

Wood-burned Driftwood Wall Art

contributed by Dream Book Design

In the new kitchen there is this wall. And its huge. At first we were kinda stumped as to what we were going to put there..some huge art, multiple frames, we didnt know! But then of course, J and his brilliant mind, came up with this driftwood art idea. It is so perfect because it takes up the huge space, was super cheap to make, and has a verse on it that we love to be reminded by daily.

Here's the process:

• Purchase the supplies: Four 6' fence slats and one 2x2x8 piece of wood

• Cut down the slats to the desired length {we cut ours down to around 5 feet}

• Have the wife {me} attempt to use the circular saw for the first time, to cut a little more off

• Sand down the slats enough to remove the grainy finish and expose the wood

• Attach two 2x2's cut to just under the height of the driftwood piece {for ours: each piece was just under 2ft. long}. Use gorilla glue {or liquid nails} and use two wood screws through the 2x2, into each slat.

• Next, take a hammer, chisel, etc. and beat that wood up. Lots. This creates even more character in the wood, making it look even less 'perfect'. Make sure you pay extra attention to the edges, the especially deserve a beating;)

• Now comes time for staining the wood. We used a homemade stain composed of: Steel Wool and vinegar. You take a plastic or glass {or not, considering ours cracked-oops!} container and fill it with white vinegar and a steel wool pad. Let it sit for about three days for a lighter steel stain, and the longer you let it sit, the darker steel stain it will be. FYI: the stain goes on fairly clear...BUT.. it definitely darkens over time on the wood. Ours darkened about 5 shades darker over the next few hours

• Let it sit overnight, mostly to get rid of the vinegar smell {please for the love of God, leave yours outside. DONT, I repeat, DONT, leave yours in your house overnight.} Next, we added two 2-Hole 'D' Ring Hangers to the back. Once secure, attached a metal 16 gauge wire across the back

• Thank you for all your comments and verses, we ended up choosing the verse 1st John 3:18 "Let us not love with words or tongues but with actions and in truth".We traced it out in Sharpie using a projector for guidance, after we hung it on the wall. We used the program Powerpoint to layout the verse. Once outlined, we used our handy dandy wood burning kit that we got from Michaels store, for $30-which we plan on using for many more projects. We seriously felt like we were back in elementary school using that wood burning pen. Didn't yall do that too when growing up? Maybe it was just each of our crazy craft parents.

• Once finished, we realized the stain was so dark that it was hard to read the verse, sooo... we sanded it with some medium grit sandpaper, and it lightened it up quite a bit

• Drum roll please....

What do yall think?

We love it. It takes up most of the wall, it is rustic, it adds a great texture to the room, its a great daily reminder, and to top it off, here is the price break down:

• Wood: $10
• 'D' Ring Hangers: $5
• Metal Wire: $4
• Wood burning pen that we will use many,many, more times:$30
• Stain: Already had. But if this was our first time making it, it costs about $3

So technically paid $49 to make this project, but when I think of how many other projects we can do with that $30 pen, I get giddy!

Adri

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Wooden Curved Canopy Top Instruction

Wooden Curved Canopy Top Instruction

contributed by DeCarlo Woodworks

Ok, this time around we're going to make a curved bed crown. The same frame is used for all of the crowns of this type. I usually make the frames ahead of time, this way all I need to do is cut and apply the face. I have many designs but this time I'm making a new design, so you get to see how I go about making the design and the templates. 

Luckily, I had the top and bottom frames cut already. Don't worry I'll show you how I made them. First, I cut the blanks from a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood, 21 x 5 (good thing I made notes on the jig, my memory isn't as good as it once was). Then I place the blank in the jig and trace the arch. I take that over to the band saw and cut the waste off about 1/16 to 1/8 from the line. Then I clamp it into the jig (using the hold downs shown in the picture below) and run it through the router equipped with a flush trim bit. As you see below the arch is pretty good! The best part, every blank comes out exactly the same!

Second, I have to cut the groove for the back. The trick here is to leave a  3/4 inch space for the french cleat to fit even with the top and bottom frames. After installing the dado cutters in the table saw, I use the actual cleat to space the fence properly. So, now when I run the frames along the fence, the space will be perfect for the cleat. 

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How to Build a Newel Post

How to Build a Newel Post
Sandra @ Sawdust and Paper Scraps!!

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Amazing Plank Look Plywood Flooring Tutorial

Amazing Plank Look Plywood Flooring Tutorial

Contributed by Shannon @ Quarry Orchard

When recently redoing the room above our garage, we decided that we were DONE with the carpet. Our plans were to rip it up, plank the floor, and then paint it. We never expected the plywood planking that we made to look good enough to STAIN!

Yup, that’s plywood!

Here are the instructions:

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Wood and Wall Art

Wood and Wall Art

contributed by Cul-de-Sac Chic

I made this over the summer, but never posted it. I was going to wait and finish a few more things in our family room. I just haven’t gotten around to them.

Layla from the Lettered Cottage shared this flag over the summer and I was inspired.

I had a sunburst I bought for this room, but it looked so small on this wall. I thought of attaching picket fence boards and put the sunburst on that. I love her painting technique of dipping a paintbrush in water. It gave the wood the perfect look.

Here’s how I made it.

This was my first time using a miter saw. It is pretty easy to use. I figured out how long I wanted the pickets to be and drew a line where I needed to cut. These pickets were around a dollar each and I used 6 of them.

To use the saw hold down the trigger and pull down.

Put the board on the saw.

Without holding the trigger button from the earlier picture pull down the blade and make sure it is lined up. Now you can cut.

I painted these using Layla’s technique. I dipped my paint brush into the gray paint than I dipped it into my container of water and swished it around.

We had these scrap wood strips leftover so we used them to attach the boards.

We bought a picture hanging kit and than hung it up on the wall.

I bought these sconces at Marshalls and sprayed them white. I’m not totally in love with them but I felt the wall needed more than just the art. I wanted a big chunky wooden hurricane sconce, but couldn’t find any that was in my budget that I liked. I might just have to make what I have pictured in my head.

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Television Media Center DIY Project

Television Media Center DIY Project 

contributed by Uffda

After upgrading our television, we found it wouldn’t fit in our old tv cabinet.  We put the tv on a desk with a end table underneath for components, but that was just not going to work.  I searched for a new media center for six months until the plans for the apothecary cabinet from Ana White.

http://ana-white.com/2010/04/furniture-plans-apothecary-cabinet-console-part-1.html
http://ana-white.com/2010/05/furniture-plans-doors-for-apothecary.html

I am new to building furniture and this was my second project.  First tip is to make contact with the local Tool Library for access to lots of clamps and the odd tool.  Since I build in solo, I depend on the clamps to set the pieces before I connected the pieces with screw or nail.  Plus they are very helpful in figuring out problems.  The second tip is to use the Kreg Jig system.  The joints made with the pocket hole are AWESOME.  Using the Kreg Jig and screws made construction really fun.  No more striped screws or nails popping out the side.  Yes!

Basically, I went through the construction instructions and took my time to get square angels and straight cuts.  While I did work the cabinet with the pocket holes, the instructions can be followed by anyone with a circular saw, drill and sander.  Just take your time and think everything through before you connect the parts.

The only real drama surrounded the faux doors.  I got the cabinet part complete before I found that the maple for the faux doors were going to be a special order item.  I searched three lumber yards before I found someone that did a state wide search for 1x8 maple.  Well three weeks later and 90 dollars poorer, I had my board.  Only problem was that the 1x8 was not exactly a 1x8.  The width was 1/4 inch shorter than it was supposed to be.  That spiraled into nothing matching the plans and I had to decide if I shift the wood to where it was supposed to be on top or bottom.  I opted to shift them to the top to maintain the ‘look’ and I am happy with the decision.

Well I survived it all with pretty pictures to boot.  Here is the project:

I spent my husband free weekend in the shop working on the media cabinet.  Made a bunch of progress too.  

Last time, I was stuck because I didn't have enough space to get the drill in the side sections.  I was able to get a right angle drill, but it was still too big.  I got a smaller bit, but it was still too big.  So, I had to take apart the one step I had completed.  Darn it.

Next I propped it on the side so I can re-screw in the drawer shelves.

Next I attached the top row divider and top. I opted against the pocket holes because the screws are in hidden spot so why create more work for myself here.

Now it is looking better.  Next step was the sides.  I did go through the effort for pocket joints here and pre-drilled all the pockets before any of the boards were attached to each other.

Next is the bottom trim, back and top section.  The back was an adventure because the guy at Home Depot didn't know what he was doing.  I had to teach him how to use a tape measure properly.  Ha!

I had a lot of thinking going on about the top section.  The instructions call for boards needed for a 16" deep media center, but mine is 12" deep.  Since they don't make 5.33" boards, I had to use some creative juices.  I had so many boards of difference sizes pulled out and on the floor of Home Depot.  It took a while, but I found a good combo.  I decided on 3 - 1x4 plus 2 - 1x2.  It gives a little quarter inch lip on the back, but no one will know the difference.

A close up of the top configuration.

It is looking like a media center now.

I have officially finished the first part of the Apothecary Cabinet Console. Yippee! 


Cabinet Finishing


I started construction on the media center drawers a few weeks back.  The plans are on knock-off-wood, but I did make a few alterations.  My media center is not as deep as the plans and I wanted to use the Kreg Jig system for pocket hole joints.  Here is what I did...

Cut all the boards, pre-drill pocket holes, pre-drill counter-sinks and sand it all.

Attach the back board to the bottom board using the pocket holes.

Attach the two sides using the pocket hole joint on the bottom and pre-drilled 2" screws to connect to back board.

Attach the front board to the bottom board with the pocket hole joints.  Use 2" screws to connect the front to the side boards.

Next iron on the laminate to the rough edges.

Next attach the two faux doors.  I glued mine and hope that it will hold with the pull for support.  Time will only tell.

Lastly, I found the center of the faux doors and pre-drilled the holes so any mistakes can be fixed before staining.  The pencil marks will all come off easily in the final sanding.

Now repeat that three more times, sand and then they will be ready for staining.  I am very happy with the results thus far and can't wait to see them stained and installed.


So the last steps are now complete.  I am so excited to be finished with the biggest woodworking project that I have ever finished.

And this weekend, it was door construction and finishing.  First I cut the doors and fit them to the entertainment center.  I found that doing this as a pre-install, was a lot easier since the doors are lighter and any corrections can be made before you invested in the finishing work.

Then I unscrewed the doors and retreated to the garage to install the faux drawer doors and staining.  Here are a few pictures of the process.

Once they were dry, I installed the knobs and ran back inside to install.  Check out this beauty...

I am so happy with the results.  Big thanks to Ana White's blog that provided plans and instructions.  Biggest lesson learned was importance of a good blade for clean cuts on plywood.  I had to really search for a blade for the inherited circular saw because it is now too small for standard sizes.  After searching for two months, I found a blade and the difference in cut quality is unbelievable.  I should have googled the blade much earlier.

What do you think?

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