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Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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Easy Ombré Cutting Board

September 13, 2021 by Bethany Sy

Making a cutting board almost seems like a right of passage into the world of woodworking. It’s one of the easiest woodworking projects you can tackle, and is perfect for beginners! So whyyyyyy has it taken me so long to build a cutting board myself? I DON’T KNOW! But it’s never too late, right?

Of course there are lots of really cool patterned cutting boards you could make if you love intricate and tedious woodworking. But today, I’m going to make a basic stripey cutting board using scraps of hardwoods we have lying around our woodshop. And to make it even more fun, I’m going to try my hand at arranging the boards into ombré order!

*This post contains affiliate links.*

Easy Ombré Cutting Board

Supplies

  • Scrap wood (hardwood preferably!)
  • Wood Glue
  • Pipe Clamps
  • Butcherblock oil
  • Orbital sander

Optional: Belt sander, router/roundover bit

I cut them into strips of varying widths, planed them all to a 1″ thickness. I tried to arrange them in ombré order, but knowing that the tone of the wood changes when oil or sealant is applied, I knew I was going to have to do some testing.

I used a small craft paint brush, and dipped it into butcherblock oil, and made a small mark on each board so I could see their true colors. I definitely ended up putting them in a different order than I thought I would.

I laid out 3 pipe clamps, and arranged my boards in the order I want them. Then one at a time, I turned each board, applied glue, spread it out with this handy silicone brush, and pressed together with the previous board… until there’s glue between them all!

Then tighten those clamps down!

If your boards start to buckle a little under pressure, you can always clamp two boards above and below in the same direction as the pipe clamps. As pictured below.

After about a half hour, take the clamps off and scrape off as much of the excess glue with a putty knife. It’s important to do this before it dries rock hard!

Wait another hour before sanding. I started out with an orbital sander, but switched over to a belt sander to move things along more quickly. Start with a low number of sand paper (MORE gritty) like 40 or 80, and make your way up incrementally to 220.

If you have a scroll saw or jigsaw, you have the option of making a fun shape with your cutting board! Why would you choose to have a rectangle cutting board when you could have a TEARDROP-shaped cutting board.

I looked around my house for things that are round and the right size to use as a template for tracing my circle, and this giant stainless popcorn bowl was the perfect size!! I traced around the bowl 3/4 of the way around, and then used my L-square to finish off the straight edge to make my teardrop.

I decided to use my scroll saw to cut out the teardrop shape. Since I’m using hardwoods, I was wishing I had a beefier blade… I broke 4 cutting out this cutting board! I shared a whole blog post about how to choose the right scroll saw blade if you’re unsure.

Sorry about how fuzzy these scroll saw pics are. I had to get screenshots from a video.

I used a 1.5″ forstner bit to drill a good size hole using my drill press, but you can totally use a regular drill too. Just do your best to make sure you’re drilling straight down into the cutting board.

Since I wanted the edges of my cutting board to be a bit rounded, I decided to route the edges using a roundover bit. This is totally optional!

Sand the heck out of your cutting board until it’s as smooooooth as a baby’s bum. Then apply your sealant/oil of choice!! I used this Butcherblock Oil. It’s soooooo satisfying seeing those rich colors and woodgrain come to life!!!

YOU GUYS… this was such a fun project, and I’m so proud of this cutting board I made using scrap wood!

I hope you’re inspired to build yourself a cutting board too! Or at LEAST tackle that pile of scrap wood in your woodshop. 😉

If you DO tackle a project inspired by one of our tutorials, pleeeeease tag us on social media! We’re @RealityDaydream on both Instagram and Facebook!!

~Bethany

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AND! Be sure to check out all the other scroll saw projects I’ve done (and one my daughter did!) by clicking the image below! Lots and lots of scroll saw inspo!!

Thank you for pinning!!

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

« Operation: REPLACE SHUTTERS!
EASY One-Bowl Pumpkin Muffins »

Comments

  1. 12

    Derek Backman says

    September 17, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    Looks really clean! Great Instructions.

    Reply
    • 13

      Tara McIntyre says

      September 20, 2021 at 10:12 pm

      1 suggestion I would make is to makr sure you alternate the grain going up and down so the wood stays flat and doesn’t end up bowing

      Reply
  2. 14

    Lori A Wallace says

    September 14, 2021 at 3:41 pm

    Very Pretty. So much so I probably wouldnt use it.

    Reply
  3. 15

    Ireta Johnson says

    September 14, 2021 at 1:57 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  4. 16

    Guerrina says

    September 13, 2021 at 8:38 pm

    Rite of Passage…I went from let me create a rectangle that will be a garden bed to “why not build a loft bed with stairs in the two weeks before Christmas and keep it a secret”…I think I’m more intimidated by the cutting board!

    Reply
  5. 17

    Guerrina says

    September 13, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    I love seeing the transition from raw to oiled!

    Reply
  6. 18

    Cassie says

    September 13, 2021 at 6:39 pm

    Beautiful!!!!

    Reply
  7. 19

    Kelly says

    September 13, 2021 at 6:25 pm

    Love love love it!!!

    Reply
  8. 20

    Andrea Boes says

    September 13, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    It’s so gorgeous- you make it look so easy! I love it in your kitchen with your beautiful plants! 🪴

    Reply
  9. 21

    Kelly Bowers says

    September 13, 2021 at 6:02 pm

    Absolutely Gorgeous… is something I never thought I’d find myself saying about a cutting board, however it is exactly that!✨
    And I couldn’t be more thrilled that you posted this when you did because my builder husband just brought me home a very similar pile of wood scraps! As a new DIY’er, I hope mine will turn out half as beautiful as yours did! Great Job!

    Reply
  10. 22

    Terri Tatroe says

    September 13, 2021 at 5:08 pm

    It turned out beautiful and looks lovely with your tile! Great job, Bethany!

    Reply
  11. 23

    Renee Pedersen says

    September 13, 2021 at 4:56 pm

    Beautiful Beth!!!!

    Reply
  12. 24

    Mar says

    September 13, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Your pride is well deserved!

    Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!

realitydaydream

I needed an instant-gratification project today fo I needed an instant-gratification project today for my well-being, and this little wooden stand was so fun and fast!

Details and links to everything in this pic in Stories!
If ya just need a slab of wood, grab a cutting boa If ya just need a slab of wood, grab a cutting board when you’re at Target or Walmart! They’re made of hard wood!

I used this cutting board to experiment and make some prototypes for a large-scale piece of art I’m doing for our church. It’s got me EXCITED!

Follow along for that project- happening soooon!

@dapproducts @dremel @jet.woodworking
You’ve all seen the video, but here’s some sti You’ve all seen the video, but here’s some still shots of the kitchen wall in all its glory!! 

The Aksel Radius Floating Shelves by @shelfology were the perfect finishing touch! 

Should I do a house tour of our main floor this week?!?! 🙌🌿

#sponsored #floatingshelf #radshelfie
Sometimes we just need to draw out a perfectly sca Sometimes we just need to draw out a perfectly scaled rendering of our design plan to get the hubs on board with our vision. He just couldn’t see it otherwise!

We’re SO THRILLED with how this kitchen wall project turned out. There will be a blog post coming soon with all the details and sources!

What is your MOST FAVORITE FEATURE of the finished wall?!
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View of our entryway of our historic mansion that we're slowly renovating and making our own.
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

 

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