Michelle My Bell Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 (edited) I have a new hobby... woodworking! I have wanted to make things for years, but I was always afraid to use power tools. Well this year for my birthday, I decided I was going to conquer that fear and start building. My first project was a picnic table for my kids. This school table is my second. My oldest daughter worked on it with me. It was her first time ever using my tools as well. It was so much fun! I haven't finished it yet. I plan to stain the top and paint the bottom. I haven't decided my colors yet. I was inspired by this table from Land of Nod... I have been learning from www.knock-offwood.com . This is also where I got the plans for my table. I am so excited I wanted to share with everyone. Anybody have any suggestions for finish colors? Edited May 26, 2010 by Michelle My Bell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Wow, I can't believe you did this! It's amazing!!! It looks just like the one in the catalog... fantastic job! You and your dd have some serious talent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Sweet!! What an accomplishment. It's a great design too. May your family enjoy it for years to come. :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Well done! You must feel tremendously satisfied!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secular_mom Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Yay! That looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alte Veste Academy Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 :hurray: That is gorgeous! You've inspired me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamato3 all-boy boys Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 beautiful! Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I want one! That looks great! Great job, Mama! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 :hurray::thumbup: That is awesome!!! You should be so proud of yourself and your excellent assistant. Wow!!! What about painting the bottom the green of the leaves in your rug, and staining the top to match the chairs? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I love refinishing antiques but never, ever would begin to actually build anything. You totally rock . What a beautiful piece you have created I bet your grandchildren will read at that table decades from now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amydavis Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 :thumbup: What a great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strengthen My Hands Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Wow, that is beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I am SO impressed. I've also always wanted to try woodwork, and have also held back because of power-tool-anxiety. We're moving house soon, and I will have a schoolroom to furnish, so maybe now's the time to start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamturner Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 That is just beautiful! I love it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyz Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Wow!! I LOVE it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlifemom Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 How stinkin' cool is that!?! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Super -awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 You are awesome! I don't think I could ever do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Bravo! This is incredible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Food4Thought Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Wow! That's fantastic! :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Michelle, one of my secret dreams has been to do woodworking. That is so inspiring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Fabulous job! Get a wood burning tool and burn your name and the date on the bottom, so your g-g-grand kids can say they're home schooling at a family heirloom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emeraldjoy Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 amazing....and inspiring. wonderful job!!! e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Way to go, Michelle! Beautiful work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Gorgeous! Wonderful job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangearrow Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 That is an AWESOME table! Great job!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I am so impressed! Awesome table! You might start getting some orders for more tables! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iquilt Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I love it!! That is beautiful :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollie010 Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Are you kidding me??? That is the coolest. You are super talented. My dh and I need a new hobby. Is there a lot of expense in getting started. I am inspired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Nice!!!! I'm VERY impressed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Will you make me one?? Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Impressive!!!! Do I remember from your blog that you were in a musical this past winter? Do you ever sit down? Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaTotaler Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 WOW. Great job Michelle. I'll have to show this to dh. Then again maybe not......he may want to buy some power tools. He's been building ds a tree house without the help of major tools. I have a new hobby... woodworking! I have wanted to make things for years, but I was always afraid to use power tools. Well this year for my birthday, I decided I was going to conquer that fear and start building. My first project was a picnic table for my kids. This school table is my second. My oldest daughter worked on it with me. It was her first time ever using my tools as well. It was so much fun! I haven't finished it yet. I plan to stain the top and paint the bottom. I haven't decided my colors yet. I was inspired by this table from Land of Nod... I have been learning from www.knock-offwood.com . This is also where I got the plans for my table. I am so excited I wanted to share with everyone. Anybody have any suggestions for finish colors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 You did a beautiful job!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I have a new hobby... woodworking! I have been learning from www.knock-offwood.com . This is also where I got the plans for my table. I am so excited I wanted to share with everyone. Anybody have any suggestions for finish colors? That is beautiful! That must have been fun to work on that with your dd. Thanks SO MUCH for the website link!! I LOVE that table, and I think I'm going to build one myself--eventually. Right now, I desperately NEED some patio furniture, and think my sons and I must build that bar set featured on their homepage first. There is nowhere to sit on our deck. (So do you have pics of the picnic table?) Their projects remind of of a book I bought years ago about building various project for your home and yard with standard lumber and basic tools. I see a new drill press in my future (for starters!). :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frontier Mom Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 That is awesome. You did a great job!! I like the suggestion of stained top and green bottom. That is one of my favorite color combos on wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saille Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 How funny! Dh made one just like that (well, shorter...it was intended for preschoolers), and copied it from the same catalog. We love it. I will check out that website, and kudos to you! It looks fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susancollins Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 The table you built is awesome. You should be so proud of yourself. My husband is good a building things he built my daughter the doll house bookcase that looks like the one from Pottery Barn Kids. She loves it. I am sure this will become a treasured family piece that you can even use for your grandkids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumping In Puddles Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 nice! I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Awesome!! It is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the website. I'll be spending a few days there :001_smile:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2jjka Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 That is AMAZING! Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Michelle, you did a lovely job! Dh and I build a lot, but I'm always the "helper"--you rock! We have used Minwax Polyshades for quite a bit of our furniture over the years, as it combines stain and a very nice, durable urethane finish. It's a bit touchy to work with: you'll want to work where it is well-ventilated, but not windy (blowing dust and junk into the wet coat). Plan on three or four coats to build up the color and durability of the finish. You can sand it out if something gets in your finish between coats with fine (400 or 600 grit) sandpaper. Before you start and between each coat, gently wipe the project down with tack cloth to get any dust off the surface. I, too, like a painted bottom, stained top look, as even oil-based (more durable) paint is a bit easier to work with. Have fun finishing it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Wow!I am totally impressed! Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjbeach Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 (edited) Love the table, Love Ana's site. Have been looking at her site for a few months. If I just wasn't so afraid of the saw.... Re: paint... I'm currently into black painted furniture. I like the paint and primer from Behr at HD. I love, love, love Miniwax's "wipe on" poly. Edited May 26, 2010 by cjbeach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted May 26, 2010 Author Share Posted May 26, 2010 Excellent job Michelle! I too have always wanted to get into woodworking and have many ideas and projects I'd like to do. My dh is not the least bit handy, god bless him, so I'm on my own there. My kid's actually have a woodshop in the basement, however with the oldest being 10, no power tools yet. We also go to the Lowes/Home Depot Kid's workshops, but I want a bigger project. Now that they are getting older, I can find time to do this type of stuff. I did bookmark the site you linked, but did you find any other sites or books helpful along the way? What tools are basics to have on hand, stick with any brands? How long did it take you to make that table? Good for you, thanks for sharing and inspiring others. :bigear: Honestly? Most books/sites I find were far to techincal for me and confusing. Following Ana's plans is really easy. When I decided to get into this, I bought a bunch of refurbished tools from Tool King online. Ana had a list of recommended tools. I ended up getting: Porter-Cable CFNBNS Factory Reconditioned 3-Nailer & Compressor Combo Kit 4200033$279.99 Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 $279.99 DeWalt DW317K Factory Reconditioned Variable-Speed Compact Jig Saw Kit 2200741$59.55 Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 $59.55 DeWalt DW716 Factory Reconditioned 12-inch Double Bevel Compound Miter Saw 2200644$299.99 Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 $299.99 DeWalt D26451K Factory Reconditioned 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander 2200250$49.55 Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 $49.55 Johnson 3724 24" Top-Read Aluminum Level 21500025$14.99 Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 $14.99 Johnson RAS-1 7 Inch Alum Rafter Angle Square w/Blue Book 21500092$7.99 Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 $7.99 Irwin 2031315DS 100-Foot Strait-Line Mach6 Chalk Reel and Chalk Combo Pack 4900056$9.99 Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 $9.99 Makita 5007F Factory Reconditioned 7-1/4-inch Circular Saw 13600864$89.99 Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 $89.99 I had the chance to get all of this at once and I went for it. We figured these tools would be really helpful for a lot of things and they have. My favorite tools are the Miter Saw, Orbital Sander and the Jig Saw. Honestly the only tools that still intimidates me is the circular saw. I can't handle that one as well as I would like. The picnic table that I built took me 1 evening to cut & build. Longer to paint. It cost me about 15.00 in wood. The school table I made was about $40 in wood and took me about 5-6 hours to make. What really excites me is that the one land of nod sells is $259.00. My husband is all over me to start selling these things. I would like to, but I feel nuts asking people if they want to buy one. I do think that if I could recoup the cost of the tools, that would be great! LOL Let me just say that if any of you are intersted in woodworking, it is A LOT easier than I expected. It all boiled down to just putting on the safety glasses and going for it. I am big on safety so I have a friend I can ask questions to. One more thing I have found REALLY helpful was youtube. Before I used my jig saw for the first time, I went to youtube and just punched in the name of my jig saw. A bunch of video's popped up showing me how it works, how to use it, how to make certain cuts, etc... Youtube is excellent for this. Thanks so much for everyone's kind words. I am even more inspired to try hard things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdalley Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Amazing! I wish I was coordinated to do something like that.:hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessedfamily Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Un-be-lievable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfulMama Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Great job! And I think you would definately find a market to sell them - your dh has a great idea. You could even sell them unfinished. My dd9 asked if we could make one. She thought yours was awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I have table envy! :001_smile: Thanks for the link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.