Just over 9 years ago I built two dressers for the two older boys. I got the plans from WOOD magazine. I was asked by SWMBO to add beadboard to the sides and paint them blue. The boys have taken full advantage of the dressers. Not only did they store clothes in the drawers they could reach, but they packed their sentimental school work in the top drawer that was just out of reach. Much to their mother’s dismay their stickers were proudly displayed on the sides, and the top acted as storage for an occasional wad of gum. These dressers have served us well, and never complained.
Now the two younger boys are using them and SWMBO asked that I update the dressers. This time she wanted beadboard added to the fronts and paint them black. We moved them from the shop to their room tonight. As we were finishing the little guys gave me a hug and said “Thanks Dad, these are awesome!”

And that is why we do what we do, for that little word—“family”.

A friend of ours recently had her first baby. Using a suggestion I got from LJ.com, I went to the Lowe’s website and got the plans. It would seem that Lowe’s plans are created for the very occasional woodworker. No complex joinery here, but it did help ensure that the project moved along very quickly.

After it was built our friend picked the color to match some of the other furniture pieces already in the baby’s room. My wife was happy because there was just enough paint left over from this project, to repaint our kitchen chairs. So I made two women very happy.

I used Poplar and Birch Plywood.

I’ve have seen a few of these out here. This is my version of the Woodsmith shelf.

The wood is pine. Painted with oil-based paint. I was really surprised how fast this project went. It is a great starter project.

I was able to complete the finishing over Father’s Day weekend. I decided not to use any dyes or stains on this project. The varnish darkened it up just the right amount and with the natural darkening of the cherry this ought to match th other pieces nicely. I put on 4 coats of wipe on varnish and rubbed out each coat with 0000 steel wool. It turned out very smooth.

I finished building this bookcase yesterday. I have always wanted to do something with Cherry, however, the cost has been a deterant in the past. The wife found the plans in woodsmith and I decided to go for it. If I mess it up I’ll just have to learn from my mistakes. There were a few mistakes and I learned alot. The wife loves it, and when she’s happy I’m happy. Now all I have to do is finish it, . . . I hope I don’t mess it up.