Media Tower

I consider this piece my first piece of furniture that my hands have built from scratch! I am so proud of myself for building this. I hope that this piece will stay with me and I will be able to pass it down in my family.

I purchased Ana's The Handbuilt Home: 34 Simple Stylish and Budget-Friendly Woodworking Projects for Every Room. Such a great purchase and I recommend it to those who want to learn more about woodworking!



Here is everything I purchased.... my proof that I started from scratch! (There are some people who cannot believe I cut and ripped everything myself!)

I was so proud that I had the frame built and that it was level!

Working on my shelves. I did not make them adjustable. I just made pocket holes and screwed them in. And of course Granger had to get in the picture!

Then I worked on the doors. Let's just say that this was the hardest part and tested my patience. I admit I got very frustrated with these two doors but end the end I did it. Never give up!

Got the doors screwed on their hinges and they work! I would just go into the garage and open and close them multiple times. I would think to myself. I did it! Now, they are not perfect but they work and that is all that matters!

I stained them with my favorite, Dark Walnut by Rust-Oleum. I did two coats of stain and 2 coats of  semi-gloss polyurethane.

I am in love with it!

I have to say I did pretty darn good!

5 Board Entryway Table

 I know you have all seen this on pinterest...the end table made from 5 boards and some nails (below). I did not need another end table but I did want to have an entryway table. I came across the plans for this end table at www.ana-white.com. You can find the plans here. Since I changed the dimensions for this I had to reteach myself trig for cutting the angles of the fence boards. But I figured it out! Woohoo...proud moment!

5 board and some nails end table

Supplies:
1 - 2x10 @ 8 feet long
2 - fence boards (1 x6)
2 " pocket hole screws & 3" nails
I used nails  for attaching cross supports to add a more rustic look.

Tools:
measuring tape
square
pencil
safety glasses
hearing protection
compound miter saw
sander
countersink drill bit
kreg jig

Cut:
1- 2x10 @ 36" (top)
2- 2x10 @ 30" (legs)
2- fence boards @ 47.8"
(both ends cut parallel to each other at 40 degrees off square, long point to short point)

After the table was all put together I had to decide on how I wanted to finish it. I knew I wanted a rustic look but I wanted to try something new. Here is what I did. I sanded it first then did a very light stain all over. I used dark walnut (my personal favorite).

Next, I painted it with a creme white/ off white. I did 2 coats and waited. I might have been watching Grey's Anatomy while I was doing this.

Finally, it was dry and I started sanding! I used 60 grit sandpaper and then a 220 grit to smooth it out.

Once, I was done sanding I did some vacuuming and wiped it down of all the dust. To finish it off I mixed a brown glaze by Valspar and dark walnut stain together. I used a towel to spread it all over. And now it is beautiful! I love the way my finish came out!