Paper-Covered Boxes for the Shelf (beautiful storage!)

 

I made these boxes to fit three to a shelf, and they fit perfectly!  They are 11" deep, which is how deep my bookshelves are and I love that they don't jut out like the regular office boxes.  Making these was also much more economical that buying shelf storage boxes at $10+ each.  I just used paper I loved, Mod Podge, tacky glue, scissors, ruler and box cutter.  

Choose your size box and assemble.  I taped my box together like usual, but ended up gluing the inside flaps down with tacky glue (and weighed them down with some 2 lb hand weights).  However, careful taping the bottom together, if the tape doesn't go down smoothly (wrikles) then it will show up as a wrinkle in the paper no matter how much you try to smooth it down.  This happened to me, but I didn't worry about too much since it was on the *bottom.*  

I cut out the rectangles, about 1- 1.5" extra on each side to fold over, cutting out the excess paper squares from corners.  I experimented with putting mod podge on the box first vs. on the paper first.  I liked putting on the box first best.  When you place paper, do it slowly, smoothing down a couple inches at a time to avoid air bubbles (ask me how I know!).

Then I put the long piece of paper on.  This one was cut about 1/4" less than the box on each side.  I glued down the bottom first, and then did the sides.  The paper was about 1" longer than height of box on each side to be able to fold over top to inside.  

I cut plain scrapbook cardstock to size to cover the inside of the boxes.  The front and back sides of the box I added about 1" extra to bottom and sides, I measured it so it would end about 1/2" from top edge.  I glued those first, then I glued the sides, which only had an extra 1" on bottom and were cut to have about 1/8" space on each side (if you cut it the exact length of the box it will be too long).  Then I glued the bottom, paper was exact size of bottom, no overlap needed.  

 

The box lid was made from a flat piece of cardboard.  Measure your box, then add about 3/8" to both the dimensions.  This makes the inside gray rectangle above.  Add 1.5" (or however wide you want the lid to be) to each side.  This makes the black rectangle.  Place your box over it to make sure the size of the box seems right, you don't want to make it too tight or too loose.  Cut out with box-cutter and ruler to keep lines straight.  Gray lines are score lines to help you fold over the sides- don't press too hard and cut through!  Carefully cut the little lines to make the flaps, fold them inside and glue them with tacky glue (or just lots of white glue).  Keep from sliding apart with jumbo paperclips while it dries.  Cover the box in coordinating paper.   

Shared at:

Craftionary 

Romantic Home

Serenity Now

Petals to Picots

Redfly Creations

One Artsy Mama

Happy Hour Projects

Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

What is a Mooc? University classes for free?!

So I just signed up to World Education University online, one of the new phenomenon of these "MOOCs" that are basically free online University courses. They are even working towards being able to offer degrees, I wouldn't count on actual accreditation, but, whatever, you could still list it on your resume. I already have my BA, but am excited to be able to take an introductory course on Adobe Illustrator and an Intro. 2D Design course. If you're interested go to theweu.com, it's not a scam, they pay for it by having online advertising and making you take surveys from time to time, apparently. I haven't actually started the coursework yet since I just signed up last night, but I will update on this blog with a review when I'm done in a couple months. DIYs that I have in the pipeline: *paper-covered boxes *painted rocking chair *dip-dyed scarf

Cutoff Jean Shorts~ Ribbon Details DIY

This is the kind of DIY I love, simple and easy to do!  Just grab an old pair of jeans that still fits you, find the perfect combination of ribbon (about 24 inches of each) and get started!  My embroidered ribbon measures about 5 inches on each side, sewn.  I got a yard of each just in case, and I have plenty left over for a headband.  I ended up sewing the cuff so it wouldn't open and reveal the rough edges of my ribbons, I matched the thread to the color of the jeans so you can't tell that it's sewn unless your staring really inappropriately long at my, uh, shorts.

Shared at:
http://www.finecraftguild.com

Starting Out

I’m starting this new blog today, like I’m starting so many new things in my life.  In this blog I hope to showcase some of the projects I make.  My DIY interests run the gamut, so expect anything from furniture recovering to clothes making.  I chose the name DIY Spark because I think that doing things ourselves, even making little trifles like hair clips, sparks something great inside of us.  The pride that come from making something ourselves is a powerful, positive thing– even if said creation has wonky seams, glue marks and looks a little less than professional altogether.  Hopefully my blog will spark some ideas for anyone who reads it.
Enjoy!
Christine