Hi crafty friends! Most crafters I know (myself included) have so much stuff in our craft rooms that it is sometimes hard to keep everything organized. Today, I am going to share with you a quick way to alter a storage box to beautifully store some of your craft supplies. The best part is that you probably already have the supplies in your craft room to make this project! If not, head over to the FotoBella online store and pick up some fun papers from their large collection.
If you’re anything like me, you hold on to empty boxes “just in case.” An altered storage box is the perfect way to recycle those boxes and get organized, too. To make this project, you can use any size box. I have a leftover chipboard box from Christmas that I will repurpose for my storage box. Next comes the fun part: selecting the papers. I am using the Princess collection from Graphic 45, which I purchased from FotoBella. Check out the FotoBella online store for other papers you might like. Don’t forget to pick up some coordinating paint, like this gold paint I used for my storage box.
Cutting the Papers
First, use the paint you chose to paint all of the edges of the box on the outside. Don’t forget the bottom. While waiting for the paint to dry, select the papers you want to use. I am choosing one pattern for the bottom of the box and a second pattern for the lid. One of the best parts of using any of the Graphic 45 collections is that the papers all coordinate so well.
For the papers on the bottom, measure the dimensions of your box and cut your papers 1/8” smaller to allow for a border. I wrapped my paper continuously around my box using long strips. However, you can also cut one piece for each of the four sides of the box and glue separately. Next, measure the dimensions of the lid and cut your papers 1/8” smaller. If you are using distress ink, make sure to ink the edges of all the cut papers. I am using Scattered Straw by Tim Holtz. I also want to use one of the beautiful princess images and postage stamps that come with the collection.
An optional step here is to cut papers for the inside of the storage box. I am choosing to leave my box plain inside since the box is in good shape. However, cutting a few pieces of cardstock to match your papers will give the box a more finished look.
Decorating the Storage Box
Once the paint is dry, begin with the storage box base. Adhere your papers to all four sides. If you are wrapping your paper like I did, start in the center of one side and try to make sure the end of the paper is not on the corner of the box. Line up the second piece and continue covering your storage box. Then, cut a piece of paper to cover the bottom of the box. I am using plain cream cardstock rather than the decorative paper for my bottom. Once cut, glue the paper onto the bottom of the box and set aside.
For the lid, begin by gluing the paper to the top. I am using one of the beautiful princess images and postage stamps from the collection. I cut out three postage stamps and backed them with chipboard to give them dimension. Also, I matted the larger image on cream cardstock. Next, position the image onto the box lid and glue into place. Add the smaller postage stamps on top of the main image. I cut a small border strip and added it to the top of my storage box lid to give it a bit of pink color.
Finally, choose some embellishments that compliment your project. I am using the Graphic 45 metal dies to create a flower out of coordinating paper. Also, I selected small pink flowers from my stash. FotoBella has a great selection of flowers to choose from! To finish off my storage box, I added Diamond Stickles to the flower petals and on the borders of the postage stamps.
What’s Inside My Storage Box
I am making my box specifically to hold all of my new Julie Nutting doll stamps. I purchased several of these stamps recently from the FotoBella online store and need a storage box for them. Since my craft room is pink, the Graphic 45 Princess collection was the perfect paper line for this project! I selected a box that is the perfect size for my stamps, too. However, the nicest part about altering a storage box is that the possibilities are endless! You can alter just about any box and use any papers. I hope you will give it a try soon. Mix and match, get creative with it, and have fun!
