This box used to belong to my uncle, I rescued it from the skip when my auntie downsized. It's a sturdy box. quite old I would imagine. I'm not keen on the colours and it is a bit tatty, so why not decorate it and give it a new life.
Gather together all my small bits of cotton fabric, and randomly stick them on with PVA glue. No particular pattern. This is the top.
This is the bottom.
The sides are covered as well.
I did think about covering the inside in the same way, but opted for plain white. Measure and cut the pieces to the exact size. Two smaller pieces for each side, one large piece to cover the lid and bottom.
This handy little box is going to be quite useful.
Don't throw away your useful boxes, PVA glue is cheap from the £1 shop, and it's easy to do.
Toodle pip. ilona
I have one of those boxes, it belonged to my dad, he kept special things in his. Mine also keeps special things in, mainly things he owned, I could never part with it. I love what you have done to yours, they are very strong boxes.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to keep your box as it is, as covering it would hide the memories.
DeleteYou have made a good job of your box Ilona lovely an neat so pretty and will be a useful box. You have so many talents and ideas.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk
Thank you. I am fitting in a few smaller projects while I think about what the next big one will be.
DeleteBrilliant idea Ilona, I've got lots of small scraps of craft paper left over from cardmaking, now I know what to do with them.
ReplyDeleteCraft paper would probably be better than fabric, because the overlaps don't show up as much. Any strong box will do.
DeleteI have a couple of those cigar boxes too, given to me by a Nursing Officer colleague. In one I keep ribbon and bits of elastic and in the other extra pens and pencils (I do a lot of writing). This is a good idea as mine are beginning to look shabby, but I'm afraid it will have to wait its turn while I finish lots of other 'to do' projects.
ReplyDeleteSuperb idea! I will def be trying this out. Do you think old off-cuts of wallpaper would work for the inside? and how did you avoid getting wrinkles in the paper? (PS: We have blue skies and slightly less gales at last here in Scotland today; so am heading out for my first february walk this aft - cannot wait!)
ReplyDeleteWallpaper should work. I have used thick fabric for the inside, add glue to both box and fabric. When the sides have been stuck in, put the large piece along one edge, starting with lid first, line it up and smooth it down with fingers as you go. Put enough glue on so it slides a bit to position it accurately, and push any air bubbles from the middle to the outer edge.
DeleteI'd better not let Tom see this post, he will let out a big sigh, lol
ReplyDeleteI love boxed and drawers and he takes the mickey out of me for that.
Your box is brilliant, I bet they would sell at one of your fairs.
Briony
x
They probably would. I'll keep a look out for any more suitable boxes. There's time to make more before the Summer Fair.
DeleteYour box looks beautiful Ilona. You have done a grand job. My Mum had a little sweetie shop over 50 years ago and I remember selling those cigars. I think they were good quality and quite expensive then.
ReplyDeleteKindest regards,
Maureen x
Thank you Maureen. Kindest regards right back to you.
DeleteNothing to do with the box, which is lovely. Unlike a lot of other blogs you are the glass half full sort of person out to enjoy your life. Love your blog and your attitude is like mine.
ReplyDeleteThank you Moira. We only have one life, no point in being grumpy and miserable. It's sink or swim, and I intend to keep on swimming. Good luck to you, I hope your life is everything you want it to be.
DeleteThey actually sold cigar type boxes as part of the 'back to school' supplies here in the US, when my children were younger. They were for putting their pencils, crayons, scissors and such in for keeping their desks neat.
ReplyDeleteMaureen - Dad always enjoyed his King Edwards. The really expensive cigars came in glass tubes lined with a really thin sheet of some kind of aromatic wood. He got those at Christmas or his birthday as they made great affordable gifts from us kids.
Lovely result! Thank you for this idea and for the pictures to show what you've done. I love boxes; can't get enough of them.
ReplyDeleteEverything you make is just so professional looking Ilona.You seem to be able to make anything out of nothing- magic like Tommy Cooper "old box new box"? x
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever idea and a fabulous result, I'm sure it will be well used, maybe you could seal it with something suitable to keep it looking lovely !😊
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it needs sealing, the PVA glue does that job. A coat of clear varnish could be applied but most of it would soak into the fabric.
DeleteIt looks lovely and so bright.These could have loads of uses for them in any room of the house.I have done old fashioned suitcases the same method only with unusual cuttings from old magazines.All overlapped and then varnished over.I keep my summer clothes in them,all rolled up and put in layers...you would be amazed just how many tops and dresses you can store away in them.I got the idea from Camden Market years ago,where they sell these suitcases for about £50! Total price for mine about £2,because I got the old cases from a charity shop.xx
ReplyDeleteA suitcase would look good, I have two that I could cover. Maybe I won't they are hidden away in the bottom of my wardrobe and hold my artworks.
DeleteInspiring as always. Do you need to hem the material or does the glue stop it fraying?
ReplyDeleteIt won't fray when covered in glue. Apply to the box and to the fabric. Put on as much as you like after you have stuck the pieces on. You can dilute it slightly to make it easier to spread, but not too much or it won't stick.
DeleteBeautiful box does anyone know what to do with an old jewelry box that is stained and sealed and has scratches and other sports that looks like it had a sticker or something on there and it shows and won't come off please let me know if you have any ideas of what I could do thanks
ReplyDelete