I suppose some of you wonder if “the Husband” is a fictitious character or, if he is real, is his sole purpose in life simply to do projects for Robin. Well, t0day the mystery is solved. Robin has been at a conference all weekend and I thought it might be a great opportunity to introduce myself to all of Robin’s friends.
Yes, I do enjoy doing projects. However, I am a “hands on” kind of a guy, therefore I don’t like to stop and take photos or write instructions. But today I am going to step out of my comfort zone and show you guys how to make a simple wood bread or cheese board.
I made several boards out of different kinds of wood, you can choose whatever wood you want but I do recommend you choose a hardwood because hardwoods can withstand the abuse that sharp knives can dish out. I made this particular cutting board out of Zebrawood, and the dimensions are 11″ wide by 19″ long by 3/4″ thick, but again, you can change the size to fit your needs.
Here are the things you will need:
circular saw or table saw
11″ x 19″ x 3/4″ plank ( hardwood of your choice)
jigsaw or bandsaw
electric sander of hand sanding block
100 grit and 220 grit sandpaper
pencil or marker
food safe mineral oil ( most supermarkets sell it)
I started with a Zebrawood board. 
First, cut the length and width that you want.
Next, draw the pattern on the plank the you just cut. You can use my pattern or make up your own. You can look on the internet for different ideas. 
Then, using either a jigsaw or a bandsaw, simply cut out the pattern
If you happen to have a hand router, use a round over bit to soften the sharp edges. This will save some time sanding. 
Either way, you will need to sand the entire piece beginning with 100 grit and shaping the edges as you go. Then sand the flat surfaces until everything looks and feels smooth. The do it again with 220 grit until everything feel extra smooth.
Here is what mine looks like before the mineral oil is applied. (Robin had me drill a hole in the handle and tie leather cord for hanging)
And finally, rub on a generous coat of “food safe” mineral oil. You will need to apply a couple more coats over the next few days to protect the wood and reapply every few months depending on how often you use your bread board.
And there you have it! Your own DIY Bread or Cheese Board!
If you can do this project, it is not a giant leap to making your own thick cutting board or even an end grain butcher block cutting board like the one I made HERE.
I think it took me longer to explain it than it actually took to make the board! Maybe I will stick to making things and let Robin do the writing!
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I’m linking with Rochelle at DIY Showoff
Didn’t he do a great job!!!? Sending love my sweet friends xo
Julie Garmon says
August 5, 2013 at 7:35 amMike, this is absolutely gorgeous! I’ve never heard of Zebrawood, but I love it. Wouldn’t a cutting board make a great gift! Can’t wait to show your BFF. 🙂
Tom says
August 5, 2013 at 7:58 amThanks Mike for stepping out and showing you are for real, great job! You are very gifted and I am thankful you share those gifts with those of us out here. Even those of us that don’t have all of those fancy tools we can still find pleasure in the creations of others. Keep creating and sharing your gifts. I am thankful for You and “the wife”:)
Robin says
August 5, 2013 at 10:30 amTom!!! So nice and sooo funny The Wife! The Husband aka: Mike will be answering comments tonight but I had to chime in first!
Kate says
August 5, 2013 at 8:53 am“The Husband” is wildly handsome!
Robin says
August 5, 2013 at 10:29 amKatie….I’m grinning from ear to ear and he will be too! loooovvvee you my girl
Diana says
August 5, 2013 at 8:59 amNice job, your wood pieces are wonderful. Thanks for sharing the things you do. Very inspirational!
Angela says
August 5, 2013 at 9:56 amHubby did a fantastic job!! You definitely have a wonderful contributor, Robin! I’m totally impressed with his woodworking skills and can’t wait to show my hubby (Mike, also!) this post! He’s a little gun shy but I’m hoping this will help him introduce himself as well! Great job, Mike!!!~~Angela
Robin says
August 5, 2013 at 10:28 amAngela, isn’t it so nice to have a partner in projects! ? xoox
[email protected] Stroll Thru Life says
August 5, 2013 at 10:12 amLove your board, it is gorgeous. Such beautiful grain in the wood. Great way to display them also. Hugs, Marty
Robin says
August 5, 2013 at 10:28 amThank you Marty! xo
Pinky says
August 5, 2013 at 10:38 amI always knew you were real, Mike:) I LOVE, love the zebra wod, never saw it before but now want to get MY husband to make me something with it! It is beautiful. Thanks for taking over for our sweet Robin. I wish I had been at Haven to meet her in person.
Home Coming says
August 5, 2013 at 1:45 pmWow! These turned out so great! I’d love for you to link up to The DIY’ers! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-diyers-and-my-new-rug.html
Vicky says
August 5, 2013 at 3:18 pmRobin and “The Husband”- oh this does my heart good! I would never conceive of using Zebrawood – how exotic but gorgeous! You make the steps seem so doable! I hope the dear husband comes back again sometime to teach us some of his tricks and skills. Beautiful outcome!! Definitely going to show superman!
Gina says
August 5, 2013 at 3:25 pmLove the boards!! Love the post from “the Husband” even more!! 🙂
Sharon says
August 5, 2013 at 8:45 pmGreat post! The cheese and bread boards are beautiful.
Robin says
August 8, 2013 at 9:56 amSharon, he did a great job didn’t he!!! xo
Barbara says
August 5, 2013 at 10:55 pmLOVE THIS!!! Thank you, “Husband”, for this great project….and for keeping out of trouble while Robin was away!! 🙂 I think I’m going to give the cutting board a try….I have three girlfriend birthdays coming up and I would so love to make them one. If only the store was open right now so I could go get some zebra wood!..
Thanks again and blessings from STL,
Barbara
Robin says
August 8, 2013 at 9:57 amBarbara, you can soooo do this! The Husband hasn’t had time to answer his comments but if you have any questions about the project shoot me an email and I’ll make sure he gets it!!! xo
Julia @ Cuckoo4Design says
August 6, 2013 at 1:55 amYes, he did a fabulous job but I haven’t seen anything that wasn’t gorgeous that he made 😉 Very talented hubby!
Robin says
August 8, 2013 at 9:58 amJulia, thanks honey! I’m so happy he can do all the heavy lifting 🙂 xo
Melanie @ The Painted Chandelier says
August 6, 2013 at 2:38 pmLOVE the post by Hubby, Robin!! That was awesome:) The boards are BEAUTIFUL!! Love them so much!! XXOOXX
Robin says
August 6, 2013 at 6:06 pmThanks Melanie! He did a great job didn’t he??? xo
Robin says
August 8, 2013 at 9:59 amMelanie, thank you Honey! I’ll tell him you liked them! ox
Lisa says
August 18, 2013 at 7:07 pmSuper cute!!! I finally was able to come and see your post your hubby did after seeing you post about his upcoming project on Instagram. What a neat idea to make those. He did a great job! Thank you for sharing!
Robin says
August 19, 2013 at 3:35 pmLisa, I’m so happy you came over my friend! Wouldn’t they make great gifts? I wish I could send all my online friends one! Have a great day xo
GERRY PRATHER says
January 17, 2015 at 9:46 amHOW CAN I PRINT YOUR DIRECTIONS?
Robin says
January 18, 2015 at 4:47 pmGerry, have you tried copying and pasting into a Word document?
Glenna Kennedy says
May 4, 2015 at 5:42 pmGreat job…I’m new to woodworking but loving every second that I finish a project. It says we can use your template but I don’t see the pattern anywhere on here. Is there a link or a picture somewhere to download it?
Would appreciate it very much. Thanks
I do many projects with pallets and old barn boards. The sanding is atrocious but the end result is amazing.
When I tell people I have my own workshop and power tools they look at me like I’m crazy but c’est la vie!
Robin says
May 26, 2015 at 1:19 pmGlenna, I’m so sorry but we don’t have a template…the boards are pretty easy to sketch out though- Good luck my friend xo
Sherry says
May 20, 2015 at 8:40 pmLove the boards and will have to make one of Texas. A neighbor makes his in the shape of Ohio but being from Texas I have to do Texas. Have all the tools, now need nice weather so I can work outside. But this time I will use my tools the right way. Got in a hurry and put the board on the router from behind the tool like a fool. Yes a fool. Lost a piece of the finger and got my thumb chewed up a bit. Trip to the ER. Doctor laughed and said his hands are insuranced.. Maybe mine should be also. He wanted to know why a woman of my age (69) would be using such tools. All I could say was “why not” that is why I have them. But do be careful when using any tools like that. Yes, now I take my time to use such tools the way they are suppose to be used.
Robin says
May 21, 2015 at 9:30 amLove the idea of a Texas board Sherry! So sorry about your poor thumb!!! oxoxox