Narrow Cottage End Tables

I got my first real tool last year for my birthday (in October).

A miter saw.

I had been aching to build things.

Then I found a Kreg Jig (pocket hole jig) on Craigslist.  It was super cheap and had never been used, it was an older model, but it works!!!!!

So I did my first build with pocket holes, a headboard bench.  I was so excited!  I was building things.

I actually have done several builds since then, but today I want to share my spur of the moment build, my narrow cottage end tables.

I was wanting to build something so bad one day, but I didn’t have any money to buy wood.  I did however have some wood my father-in-law had given me from his shed and some scrap wood I had picked up from the free section of craigslist.  So I went to Ana’s site and found her plans for the narrow cottage end tables.  You can find the plans here.

I feel it is important to understand that for me to do a project I can’t just whip it out in one day, ha!  I have six kids after all… Maybe a small one in one day…but this one well, it was for fun and so I take things in steps.

I measure wood one day.  Cut and sand it the next.

I love it all neat and stacked waiting to be made into something useful.

I only had a little time one day so I drilled all my pocket holes…aren’t they pretty!

Then I take a day to build.  These really don’t take very long to put together and within 3 hours (that includes installing drawer slides on two tables, my first time) I  had two cute little tables!

I made a table, with a drawer!  Eeekkk!  I can’t even tell you how much fun I had opening and closing the drawers, even if they didn’t have a pull yet.

It was several weeks later that I finally got around to putting pulls on…

And…several weeks after that when I finally got around to painting them (I did make these mid winter).

My Favorite color.

What did you notice different from picture 1 to picture 2?  Hmmm…..Kids pictures…lamp shades (better but not best, yet)….rug…. I could call that a mini makeover, yes I think I will claim it, you might say my almost free end tables (I did buy the knobs and drawer slides, altogether under $20) inspired me!

Now that makes me happy!  Here are a few more shots.

I took a huge step in this phase, I attempted to distress.  Not bad for a beginner, but I have improved since this first attempt.  Check out my second attempt at distressing here.  I am so glad I was brave enough to try, hopefully I will only get better!

Lots of Love,
Mindi

I will be linking to these parties.