Remember that one time back in December when I asked you to help me pick between four possible stains for my little woodworking project? Here’s what happened with all that.

For the few of you who don’t remember everything I posted to Instagram in 2013, let’s get you caught up.

I got this bright idea to build a shelf for our son’s nursery. Why not just buy one? Because I’m cheap. I’d rather spend 10 hours constructing a flawed shelf that requires another 5 hours of retooling instead of going to IKEA and purchasing one for $30.

By cheap, I mean that due to the abundance of my time and the scarcity of liquidity over the holidays, the cost for my hourly labor was less than the cost of a machine-made knick-knack holder. Sometimes you have time. Sometimes you have money. This time, I had time.

So, for about $25 I purchased two 6ft lengths of 1×8 poplar wood, some poplar trim pieces and some wood filer. The rest of the project supplies were lying around my garage. Then, I got to work.

The shelf project starts by cutting the poplar to length.

Create a jig to keep the drying wood layers square

Glue the two 1×8 planks together to form the body of the shelf

Clamp the boards together firmly as glue dries.

Now to choose a stain color.

The Internet selects Dark Walnut I. I concur.

The glued boards are dry. Prep them for staining.

Sanding smooths where the boards’ edges don’t quite line up.

Speaking of glue, now it’s time to give the shelf a pretty face.

Mitre cut corners line up to give the glued boards a finished look.

Yes. Sanding is a key part of the process.

Wood filler pressed into the cracks.

Smooth and square, this shelf is ready to go into makeup.

Apply the stain with a sponge brush.

Wipe the excess with an old t-shirt.

After a couple of coats of matte-finish clear coat, we’re ready to install.

My original plans called for a floating-style shelf where the shelf attaches to the wall without visible support. The plan fell through when the hefty 2×8 block of wood fell to the floor after hanging. Too dang heavy.

So, plan “B.” A pair of iron brackets that go with the bird and branch lamp in the corner and fit with the travel / adventure theme of the room. Good stain choice, by the way.

Sometimes beauty arises from failure.

Mounting the shelf in the nursery is no problem now.

Good call on the stain color, Internet. Good call.