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Sunday, July 4, 2010

Think Outside the Boxes

I have them. Those big covered boxes so wonderful for stashing the strange collections that clutter my home.
And they were a very good price too. Just not so attractive any longer. So before they reclaimed space on my shelf, they were going through an asthetic and practical makeover.
Yep, break out the aqua spray paint. This actually took 5 light coats, and it looked sueded when I was done.

Now, a little wide aqua grosgrain ribbon if you please. We're going to hotglue this around the lid, not only as a decorative accent, but to hide those dogeared corners.
Work in small sections to get the best adhesion.
Now, once that's done...
...take another length of ribbon and loosely knot it in the center.
Tie a bow and snip the tails short.
Snag a tag and scrawl what the contents of the box will be.
Hot glue the bow to the box, tugging it so that the snipped end pulls inside the front and center knot, out of sight. Now thread some thinner ribbon through the front.
Loop it through your tag and tie it in a knot. Trim the ends of that very close.
Tuck the knot into the front of the bow, out of sight.
Repeat several times until all of your mismatched, outdated storage is clearly labeled, coordinated and organized. You didn't need new stuff. You needed a free afternoon.

Obtaining one of those? I can't help you there.

Convincing your spouse he doesn't need a Simpsons action figure collection? You're on your own there too.
Visit thecsiproject.com

53 comments:

Mel said...

Seriously gorgeous. You made everything perfectly, right down to your lovely penmanship. I love the Tiffany Box blue. Please show us them all together when you get finished.

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

They really do look like they have a suede texture. I'd like to see them all together when you're done too. Ditto on the penmanship!!!

Happy 4th!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Great idea. Love the pretty turquoise. Hugs, Marty

Life in Rehab said...

Thank you Ladies! I'll show afters of the shelves...if I ever get them done!

Veronica said...

Love the suede look. Who thought spray painting a box would give you that look. Great job.

Anonymous said...

Those look great! The card on the front is such a nice touch. I love Marshall's and all their great deals.

Life in Rehab said...

Thank you so much! There's a slight advantage to bringing everything back in the house one piece at a time.

Alison @ Welcome Sunshine Home said...

This looks fabulous! I love aqua but I don't use it enough. I'm getting inspired to break out some aqua spray paint soon!

Life in Rehab said...

Alison, do it! It's such a happy color, and I love the pop it brings to the table.

Paula said...

Gotta love cheap and easy! This turned out great! Can't wait to give it a try!

Quilted Cupcake said...

Great idea! I love how the box looks "sueded" I would have never thought you could paint a box. Very clever!

desiree said...

Perfect shade of Tiffany Blue! Great makeover. Suede finish looks so wonderful.

Unknown said...

Love it! It really does look like a Tiffany's box.

A really big one. :)

~Chelsea

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

Love the way these came out and the color you chose is beautiful. Time to redo my boxes, I think!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

That color is wonderful -- what an adorable box! I'm totally going to redo my storage boxes now -- you've inspired me!!

Unknown said...

Very nice! Thanks for sharing @ Anything Related!

Life in Rehab said...

I'll tell you what, they look so completely different now and they really wake up my bookcases. Break out the spray paint, Ann and Amanda!

And thank you everyone for your sweet words.

Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com said...

lovely.

our readers would like your tutorial, so let me invite you to join us:
http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-tutorial-linky-party-5/

Pam Kessler said...

Great color. Love the texture to it also. I never thought to spray my boxes. I've bought a hodge podge of different boxes over the years and I could just paint them all the same color and have them actually match. Thanks for the idea.

Amber D said...

What a great idea I'm just now realizing the usefulness of spraypaint (I know I know) thanks for shareing, I might do this with my boring white boxes in my office!

Robin Ange said...

Love it. Thank you so much for linking up to my linky party! I am honored to have you.

seven thirty three said...

What a great idea! Thanks for linking up with Sugar & Spice.

Leslie said...

How cute! I love this idea and the color you chose! Thanks for linking up to Hoo's got talent!

Unknown said...

Great tips, and I love the color! :)

Homemade Heather said...

Oooooo pretty! Thanks for sharing and linking up!

the thrifty ba said...

coming from remodleaholics...love that you store simpson figures!

Larri said...

That is just the greatest idea! I may never look at an ugly box again and pass it up! LOL Thanks for sharing. Happy Friday! :o)

Lisa said...

How pretty! I never would have thought you could spray paint a textured fabric like that!

Leanne said...

I love free organization products. The color you chose is so pretty. I need bow making lessons from you. Thanks for joining We're Organized Wednesday.

Heather said...

Girl, why have you not linked this up yet?! I love it! The turquoise color is my fav! Please come on over when you can to Fab Friday!
Heather @ www.savingmoneylivinglife.com

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

Wow.. that looks like something you spend at least $25 at a store for! It turned out lovely & I hope your box gets used :-)

Life in Rehab said...

Thanks so much guys! HOPEFULLY I'll have the big reveal tomorrow on the whole group of them.

Olivia said...

I love it! I'm stashing this away in case I ever have one of those "free" afternoons.
suchakingom.blogspot.com

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Wow, that looks so nice!
Thank you for sharing!
Leticia

Julie @ Frugal and Fabulous Design said...

Your storage box came out great! Beautiful color, and the new texture is really cool. I love that gave new life to something that probably would have gotten thrown out. Great job!

Thanks for linking up to Fab Friday -

Cheers!

Room to Inspire said...

Your box turned out great - I could find a million things to "hid" in here! Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired last week.

Chelsea

Anonymous said...

I really love this! Plus you know I love the ribbon! Thanks for linking up with 6 inches of ribbon

Debbiedoos said...

Love the color of those and the texture....very cool, creative project you shared with us! Thanks for joining in on the party!!~ Debbie

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Very pretty way to get organized. I love it! I have never thought of painting a box, but it's such a great idea! I love it!

Angela said...

Oh I love what you did...Thanks so much for sharing. I have a few wooden boxes that I have been meaning to do something with....now just to get going and do it,lol

Jami said...

Oooohhh! These are great! I hope you'll stop by my PRETTY PACKAGES PARTY next week and share them! Pick up a button for a little reminder!
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
smiles!!

Jami said...

Thanks for adding these to my party! They're so pretty!
smiles!

- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl said...

Cute, and great idea for the "outdated" or clearance boxes. Thanks for sharing.

Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com

Kate said...

What a great idea! I have some old boxes that really no longer work in my home that I will have to try this on!

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

This is such a simple yet great idea! Now...for that free afternoon!

Decor To Adore said...

What a fantastic project! This is one I am tempted to recreate. Thank you for sharing.

Have a very Happy New Year!

Nike@ChooseToThrive said...

Love this! The simpson's never looked so good ;)

Angie Holden said...

These boxes look amazing!!! :) Thanks for sharing!!

{northern cottage} said...

mmmm like pretty tiffany boxes....love em

Brandy said...

Sunny, I have the title of CONTAINER QUEEN for over 35 years! I never saw a box I did not love or think it could be useful. LOL!

I have recently PAID for boxes (GASP!) CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP at HOBBY LOBBY (do you have this store) After holidays...when they are dirt cheap on sale.... My art studio is full of beautiful metallic foil boxes filled with goodies... out of sight, but labeled so I can find my collections...scrap booking embellishments and such.

I also save the food boxes that store bought cookies are sold in... clear acrylic with attached lids. Thankfully, my hubby is a cookie addict! LOL! They are featherweight and stack well...see thru storage! Those have my DRIED PRESSED FLOWERS in them.

Hubby also smokes cigar and goes to the local cigar store 2x a month. Each time he goes, he comes home with a hinged wood cigar box for me to decoupage {{someday}}} LOL!

Many times if I am at a thrift store I can find {{SMALL}} hinged wood boxes for 99 cents and they are fun size to work with... your tutorial here is so well done..photos really are helpful! I want to be your new best friend! LOL! We can share the Container Queen Crown.

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