If you’ve ever built a cabinet or refinished a piece of furniture, you know how picky we can get about plywood. Some sheets splinter like crazy. Others just don’t take stain well. But Alder plywood? It’s one of those hidden gems that delivers a clean look and is easy to work with. I started using … Read more
Birdhouses are one of those backyard projects that are just plain fun. Whether you’re looking to attract more birds to your garden or create a handmade gift for someone who loves nature, building your own birdhouse is a great way to spend an afternoon. Even better? You can get creative with your materials and design … Read more
Shuffleboard. I know. It sounds like a weird project to just… decide to build. I didn’t grow up playing it or anything. One night, I’m watching some garage makeover video (probably avoiding chores), and there’s this guy in the middle of the clip just sliding pucks across this homemade shuffleboard table like it was no … Read more
If you’re planning to use plywood outside—whether it’s for a planter box, shed, outdoor bench, or even a little chicken coop—you have to waterproof it. Otherwise, it’ll soak up water like a sponge, warp, and start peeling apart after the first good rain. I learned this the hard way when I built a cute outdoor … Read more
I’ve always loved the look of aged wood, but I’m not a fan of chemical smells or overly glossy store-bought stains. So I went down the rabbit hole of natural wood stains—stuff you can make at home using simple ingredients. Turns out, there are many options out there… but not all of them work the … Read more