Rack em up!

So while I am working on a VERY BIG PROJECT (really, it is THAT big so stay tuned!!), I'll make a post about the billiards rack I made for my husband for our 8th wedding anniversary.

We had partly DIY'd a pool table a few month prior (but that's a future post) so I thought this little guy would make a nice gift. I used all scrap pine with a few full sized 1x4's. I did not use any stain or sealer on this because I wanted to leave that choice up to my husband and so far it is still unfinished.

I find myself using random circular objects to aide in circle making. No shame... this one came fresh off my compost pail.

No photo of this but the next step is to use a hole saw to cut the openings for your cue sticks. The bottom of the cue stick shelves are notched out just the same as for the balls (described below).

Originally I wanted to put two drawers in the bottom center but I quickly realized that in order to do so I would have needed two things 1) more time and 2) a budget that exceeded $0 so that I could have used 1x6's for the framework.

Keep in mind, I had no plan and this was a total fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants project. PLUS was done in about 2 days, during my babies 1 hour nap time. I did the cutting/sanding all on day one then hid it all in places my husband would not find. Then day two was assembly day. It was a great surprise.

Merry Christmas!

I promise I did not forget you dear blog of mine. I've just been REALLY busy! Last Tuesday B (my husband) informed me that I would be making a chair for his co-worker. We had talked about it, thought about plans, price, what not... he didn't just "inform" me the way I just made that sound, lol. This co-worker really wanted it done by Christmas and I didn't think there was any hope for that (with only 1.5 weeks before Christmas, a full weekend with no time for wood, and the little fact that I had never built a chair before!). BUT I actually pulled it off!  I put the finishing touches on last night, exactly one week from when I started it (insert big proud grin HERE)!

So, on to the details!! I gathered ideas and photos and kind of just did some work in my head. I can't draw or sketch or even write pretty, so all things stay in my head. I am crazy, madly obsessed with Ana White over at ana-white.com. The bulk of my "plan" came from this crazy mod Ana plan. While the style was not quite what I was going for, it led me in the right direction. But this was the chair that was my true inspiration!

Isn't that a beauty?! I found it online, "Amish made" for a mear $219!! Want to know my cost? $30!!

So here are my photo's of this little chairs journey :)!

My outline for my cuts. I made it taller than the Ana plan, going for a more traditional look, I think I did 22 1/2 inches from the bend.

Here are my cut legs. Look good huh? But let me tell you, there was a LOT of sanding to get them even and looking this good!

Here is the back all laid out and read for lots of screws and glue!

A little while later...

Close up of the insides!

TONS of pocket holes! Thanks Kreg Jig!

Now, my one complaint with this chair... the wood filled pocket holes don't match the rest of the wood and it drives me CRAZY. B swears it doesn't matter... but hey, it was my first chair. You live, build, and learn.

Danish Oil is dry and ready to deliver (oil has Medium Walnut stain built in).

And I think this guy will make a great little Christmas gift.

What do you think!!!??? I hope no one loves it and wants say... 12 of them (mother) because these bad boys are time consuming!