The only power tool I used for this simple laundry room shelf was a cordless drill. I could have used the sander and the table saw, but I didn't.

 The reason is probably buried in my lovers' quarrel with my new router table. I was hoping the next post would be about a wine rack I designed... but the router table and I are still in that first year of marriage stage (ugh). So, I had an itch to get something done.

 And the last project I painted with Miss Mustard Seed's "Curio" milk paint color BROKE the first time I sat on it.
 

Ace Hardware was kind enough to accept the broken chair and replace it. That doesn't ease my frustration, or my desire to use "Curio" for good versus disappointment.

For the already mentioned wine rack plan, I had purchased some 1x12 common boards at Home Depot, and they are kind enough to cut your boards for you when you bring your measurements. Based on the lengths of the common boards they sell, I was going to have some left over board.  That's where this shelf comes in.  I did have to cut some of the length of the left over piece down to fit in the laundry room.  I used a hand saw for that little cut.

I used a sanding block to sand the ends and gave all the edges and both sides a quick sand.  Then, mixed my MMS paint with water.  I like to mix the powder paint in a small canning glass jar.  Since I have little children, I don't always get to finish a project, so I can put the lid on the paint and store it in the fridge even 'til the next day.  I mixed the paint extremely thin because I wanted it more of a stain than paint.