Christmas Decorations

Some friends and I decided to exchange hand made gifts this year. I decided to make them a Christmas decoration. We are getting together this weekend and I finally found the time (and patience) to complete their gift. 

I got the idea from https://www.etsy.com/listing/164335372/fall-autumn-thanksgiving-christmas

I think they turned out really well. I am not the best painter so I was impressed with the lettering. 

Snowed Out

I started working on my newest build yesterday. It's a blanket box so my lovely pup doesn't keep stealing (and playing tug with) all my blankets. Here's where I got my inspiration for my blanket box. I am modifying it quite a bit. I am making it much larger and less rustic looking.

(Pepper - the blanket stealer)

I braved the cold while I cut the wood but it became too difficult once it started snowing.

Typically, I have paused building over the colder months but this year I've been trying to work out a way that I can build year round. My parents purchased me a large four season storage shelter for Christmas this year but I need to decide where I am going to put it.

Hopefully, I can get out tomorrow and start putting the side and top panels together.

Christmas Holidays! 3 days left...

I am so looking forward to Christmas holidays. Unlike a normal person though I am looking forward to them so I can get a TON done. I have cleaning and organizing planned, some house maintenance and of course some building projects.

I am taking a break from larger projects as I have built 4 beds in the last little while and I find they are very taxing on me. Here are a few projects I am hoping to have time to build over the break.

Bedside Table/Nightstand

http://www.ana-white.com/2011/01/farmhouse-bedside-table

or

http://rogueengineer.com/diy-cooper-nightstand-plans/

Blanket Box

http://theprojectlady.blogspot.ca/2012/09/wood-storage-chest-make-your-own.html?m=1

I know I don't have time for this next piece but I just love it. Most likely I would build it for resale. 

http://www.artisbeauty.net/2015/07/diy-build-it-yourself-vintage-farmhouse.html

Future Projects

I have a long list of future projects to build for myself as well as for family and friends. My sister asked me to build a bunk bed for my two nephews so I've been searching for some plans that fit what she would like. Typically, I end up with 2-3 different plans and need to merge them together or make modifications so that they work. She wants the bottom bunk to be a double and the top to be a single. As well, knowing my nephews quite well, I think the ladder should be built in rather than a removable piece. I'm leaning towards this style:

I will need to move the ladder to the end of the bed and modify the bottom to fit a double bed. It's a pretty simple style but I think it looks good. 

I've also been wanting for the last few years to redo a hand me down dining room table I have. It has great bones but the top is wrecked. One of the previous owners put nails in it to attach one of the legs and it is very thing. I am thinking of taking the top right off and replacing it with one of these two styles of table tops:

Past Furniture Projects

I became interested in building furniture about a year ago. I started late last summer by building a few basic planters for friends and family. Once Spring hit this year I was excited to start building some more difficult projects. I started by building some vertical planters and began listing them on local sites.

Plans courtesy of Ana White (http://ana-white.com/2014/06/plans/cedar-vertical-tiered-ladder-garden-planter) with modifications

I also decided to take on my largest project yet: A Farmhouse Style Bed. The original plans were by Ana White (http://ana-white.com/2009/10/farmhouse-bed-save-158100_7467.html) but I made some modifications such as adding bed locks and joist hangers to the bed for simple assembly and disassembly.

My dogs and cats make frequent appearances in my project pics :)

It was a difficult project at times but in the end I was pretty happy with the result and a friend of mine quickly ordered 2 beds for her kids. During the summer, I also built a shelving unit to store all of my small kitchen appliances.

Plans courtesy of Shanty 2 Chic (http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2012/03/diykentwoodbookcase.html) with modifications to height and width

I have two more bed orders to fill and a few more projects lined up for the future. I'll be documenting the process much better so I can show each step and all the modifications I've made to the plans.