5reasons2save: A Dresser and a Dream

To most of us, spending more time with family and working from home is a dream. For those of you who know me, you KNOW I'll try just about anything (I've tried lots of stuff, including starting this blog!). I started building a few things around the house just over two months ago when I found this amazing blog called knock-off wood. I've built:

3 twin beds

a dresser

an outdoor table

3 benches

a picnic table

a nightstand

2 captains beds

and a few more projects in the works...

I've discovered that I actually ~~like~~ love building things! I'm not so keen on working in the garage in 105 degree summer heat, but I love the smell of the fresh cut wood and the power behind all the tools. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing raw materials transformed into functional and pretty pieces. I've begun designing my own pieces of furniture based on things I see, so I'm moving into a new phase of building that I'm thrilled about.

Here comes the dream part...my husband and I have been married for 15 years now. We have five children and have always struggled financially. My husband is our sole breadwinner and he works about 65 + hours each and every week. All we've EVER wanted was a job he/we could do from home, and we both enjoy working with wood now. Soooo, we placed an ad on Craigslist a few weeks ago and received FOUR orders for furniture - from just ONE ad!! I've done about 90% of the building thus far, but my wonderful hubby steps in and helps me change router bits and table saw blades, plus he does all the "yucky" stuff I don't want to do (like designing a super-strong drawer when the dovetail bit wouldn't work or assembling a bed when I was sick). In the last couple of weeks, we've produced 6 pieces of furniture and have orders for 7 more pieces, PLUS, the girls' rooms are getting new furniture too!

It is my ultimate dream and my humble prayer that God will help us not only make this small source of supplemental income grow, but that it can eventually become a way for us to be together more often, work together, AND provide a full-time income for our family. I just want to do what I love, stay home with my kids, and have ALOT more family time!

I mentioned several weeks ago that I would be revamping my blog once I figured out where I wanted to go with it. Well, it looks more and more like I'll be sharing my building plans, designs, crafts, and my venture into making this a full time business.

For those of you who stuck around and got interested in the money saving aspect, please visit moneysavingmom.com - she'll help you save money! For those of you who still read this blog, I will be posting almost exclusively about my woodworking and crafting adventures. I am still an avid coupon user (did anyone check out the Kroger ad yesterday - YEAH BUDDY!) and my binder is still in tact and is in my hand wherever I go. If you ever see me on the street I'll talk your ear off about how to save money, but I've discovered my true love and passion is working with my hands. So that's where I'm headed.

Stick around for inspiration, laughs (I have been too embarrased to post about my mishaps thus far, but I'm about to bare all!), and reflections. I'm going to have to change the name of this thing soon too - so don't be weirded out if you see a new name one of these days...

Here are a few pics of what I've completed recently plus what I'm currently working on: