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Friday, August 13, 2010

Storage Bins on the Cheap

Every once in a while, there are subtle signs that your current storage solutions are somewhat inefficient and perhaps could stand a review.
Welcome to my cat bed craft cabinet.
I needed new bins, but I couldn't find any that fit the space perfectly, so let's make some, shall we?
First, I measured the shelf, which was 36 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and 17 inches high,
 
Enlist the aid of one of your willing Minions to cut scrap cardboard boxes. We're going to make three bins for that shelf, so they need to be 12 inches wide, 16 inches high, and 15 inches deep.
This translates into:
6 rectangles 16"x12"
6 rectangles 16"x15"
3 rectangles 12"x15"
Do yourself a favor and mark them.
Now, put them together to form a topless box. We used packing tape on all the seams and then did some reinforcement.
Lay them flat to get the first seams, leaving a small gap so that the corner has room to fold.
And you'll end up with three boxes...
...which your daughter will draw strange faces on for some bizarre reason.
 We're going to use a $3 Walmart twin sheet for this. But wait! This was formerly curtains in the house, so I'm calling it free.
Cut the header, that big hem at the top of the sheet, right off. Hang onto it though.
The box measures 54" around and 16" high, so we're going to cut three strips of fabric 58"x20", making sure we have a hem in one of the 20" ends.
When using sharp objects, always make sure you have proper feline supervision.
The faces, while disturbing, did add a gleefully macabre note to the next step.
Mod Podge time!
Slather that first side but good.
Start wrapping the fabric around the box, pulling tightly and smoothing as you go.
Turn the box and do the next side; repeat until your ends meet in the back.
Lap the hemmed edge over the raw one and glue it down.
Fold the excess fabric over the bottom, securing it with Mod Podge, the smear a generous coat over it to seal the raw edges.
Now coat the rest of the box with Mod Podge and let it dry.
Once that's dry, fold the excess at the top of the box in and seal it down with the MP.
That big fat hem we cut off the sheet? Turn it inside out, which will look right side out. Seriously. You'll see.
Told ya.
Using a serrated knife, cut two slits in the front of your bin for a handle 
I cut 12" lengths of the turned hem, threaded them through the slits, and knotted them on the inside of the bin.
No sew, no cost.
No kidding.
Made from left over boxes and an old sheet.
Pardon me, I have two more to finish, and then a ridiculous amount of fabric to stash.
Visit thecsiproject.com

40 comments:

suzieQ said...

always good to have minions helping. Minions is one of my FAVORITE words. You must be AOK, using my word...plus, you have a furry black helper, just like me, the plot thickens, or sickens? Very clever and thrifty of you. I will think about your labor the next time I am lazy and just want to purchase containers.

suzieQ said...

I was just perusing the rest of your blog...you be funny...but, this new storage box has CAT SLEEPING COMPARTMENT written all over it, silly. So, now I be thinking, you're not as smart as you seem...or are you just beaten down, knowing that the furry minions will do what they will?
My 3 do what they will, this morning, they woke me up at 4, playing on my bureau and knocked and broke an urn that had a fake orchid in it. Plus, about 30 pairs of earrings that needed to be put away, but not on the floor. Helpful aren't they?

Sharon@KeenInspirations said...

Hi there!
Thank you for posting this!!! I have had an idea in my mind, but didnt't kknow how to give it "life"...now I do thanks to you! I want to make some storage bins like what is being sold made of canvas with something "stiff" in the middle and covered in a canvas type material..now i KNOW how I can do it! Have a great weekend and thanks again for sharing!
Sharon

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

Another cool project!!! How many jars of Mod Podge do you go through on an average week? :)

Life in Rehab said...

Suzie, true, the Feline Overlords do sleep where they wish, as it should be! And yeah, aren't they the Zen experience of all time, assuring that you don't amass too much in the way of material possessions? Thank you for the compliments, and welcome to Chateau Inferno!

Sharon, hey, glad I could help! Storage is big with me, so I had to find a way.

Heather, Thanks! We do go through a lot, so this week we're going to make our own for cheap.

Heather said...

Heather took the words right of my keyboard! Looking forward to seeing your recipe:)

Heather said...

that would be "right off" not of... oops.

Mel said...

Yah, ummm, you really are the queen of mod podge. And minion caretaker, and cute as heck!
And, I want to see that gorgeous cabinet in the background that you have been keeping from us :)

Jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

OK, again, get out of my head! Before I left for the weekend I was working on a similar project! :)

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea, wouldn't stop my cat from sleeping in. seriously. but great none the less!!!
lifeofperks.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

This is great! I love it.

Life in Rehab said...

Holy cow, Amy from Mod Podge Rocks found me!

Sarah @ The Pumpkin Patch said...

So Great! Once again you amaze me with your cardboard box repurposing skills! :)

Thanks for linking to Messy Monday!

Christi said...

first ... love your blog! so fun!

second ... genius bins ... thanks for the tutorial.

Megan Gunyan said...

Very cool. Great job!

I'm having a Target giveaway at my blog! Love it if you could stop by. alittleknickknack.blogspot.com

Michelle L. said...

I love this project. You are one hysterically funny writer. I was blindsided by those clever handles. Your daughter has mad skillz. Milk came out my nose while I was reading your "About Me," and I wasn't even drinking milk. Instant new follower here!

chris said...

What a great idea! I'm always surprised at what modge podge can do.

Homemade Heather said...

Modge Podge should pay you some kind of commission!!!! LOL Great project! Thanks for linking up!

Nikki said...

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!! Smart storage solution!!! Thanks so much for linking up to gettin' crafty on hump day! :)

Jenn said...

Very cool. Much better than traveling to every store in town with tape measure in hand!

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

This post is blue AND green! Great way to upcycle!

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Stopping by from Rainbow School!! Wow that is something I never would have thought of to do! They certainly look better than the cardboard box!

Susan Anderson said...

So clever!

=)

Unknown said...

I love things that are no sew. What a great blue!

Aimee @ Explore, Learn, Have Fun! said...

I'm always looking for more storage, and your project includes one of my fave things - Mod Podge! I am so ready to make a bunch of these now! Thanks for sharing such a great idea!!

Aimee @ Just Kidding Around Atlanta

signed...bkm said...

How clever is that ---a little project filled with a happy ending...sweet...bkm

Roeshel said...

So creative and looks great! Love your ideas!

Karla Doodlebug said...

With all my excitement over the button yesterday I forgot to leave a comment! Thanks for linking up and I hope to see more of ya soon!!

www.doodlebugdezigns.blogspot.com

Allison Shops said...

You're so cleaver - and the calico asleep is just adorable. My youngest daughter has two.

I wanted to let you know about Atticmag's new linky party - Giveaway Friday! It's a convenient place for bloggers to link their giveaways each week. We've kicked it off with a fantastic giveaway of our own. Five lucky winners will win material to do a backsplash in their homes. Hope to see you there!

Allison
Atticmag

Becky said...

Ahhh- great minds think alike! I just posted my denim cubby. Your boxes took a little more time to make though, I will be referring back here if you tutorial if I ever need to make a custom sized box. Great job!
You can check out my cubby here http://sweetbeehollow.blogspot.com/2010/08/denim-diaper-box.html

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

You're so funny! I like how these turned out~and you can't beat free!

Unknown said...

We are so glad you shared your great project with us at Anything Related!
{Rebekah}

Jenny said...

I love this clever post.

The idea was cool but my favorite thing was how you gave the instructions...subtle signs, minions...

You really made me laugh.

Thanks for this great link to Rainbow Summer Schools journey through the color BLUE!

A+

H said...

Love it! Not a scrap of waste in sight. Very inventive :)

- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl said...

Great idea! I like it. Thanks for sharing.

Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com

AUDRA said...

I featured this today!!
http://simpsonizedcraftsandthensome.blogspot.com/2010/08/recap-of-last-weeks-link-party.html

Rhiannon said...

what a great idea!

Crafty Girl said...

Wow, what a great idea! I have a ton of left over boxes from moving I think I may have to cut up a couple of them for more craft room storage. Thank you for sharing :)

Anonymous said...

Found you a little late, thru Pinterest, have an idea you might want to use. Working in an office there are a lot of empty printer paper boxes, with lids, to be had. I started bringing home, when I saw what Dollar store boxes would cost me, had son cut the top edges of box shorter to fit under bed size,lids still fit fine....wallah....no cost under bed storage, or wherever. You could use your modge podge mix on these full size or any size for your use. And they have cutout handles too! Just sayin.....fellow Floridian

PJ Taylor said...

I love your sense of humor!! And of course your great ideas!!!!!!