Beginner, making my way and learning. It’s not as huge as the photo makes it look. 1st is pine. 2nd one is hardwood and stained darker. 
I can’t think of a better way to get into a hobby :-)
I love the little finishing triangles too! I miss living near a Rockler.
Thinking about your project led me back to the memory of the one before… very similar style, but it had a roll of “adding machine” paper that fed through two little strips of thin brass so you could write a note and leave it, or pull it through and tear it off.