Office Organization: File Magazine Box

My paperwork was a mess!

I needed something!

I had a ton of Capri Sun boxes laying around (I heart boxes:)

When in need...use what you got!!!

This is what I got...a file folder holder

or

turn it upright and use it as a magazine holder

Supplies:

• capri sun boxes (or another type of box)
• measuring tape/ruler
• pen
• box cutter
• tape
• spray paint (optional)

1. Find a box.

I used a capri sun because I had a ton!

They were on sale:)

And...they are very sturdy!

2.  I measured 4 inches from the end

(of the closed side or just tape a side closed).

This is how I wanted my box shaped.

You can always alter this design to be what you want.

3.  I drew a line from the 4 inch mark to the other opposite end (on both sides).

Then I cut along the line (on both sides) and around the top and bottom of the box.

 4.  I taped the end of the box.

 Before & after.

Tada!

a File/Magazine Box

Here it is on my shelf:)

You can use it like this...natural cardboard...or

paint it black.

Take a look at the difference between the two.

Can you tell what color I chose to go with?

Cost for me...$1

(for spray paint)

Happy organizing!!!

mileka:)

Faux Tin Star (cardboard)

Faux Tin Stars

I totally love tin stars.  I've always wanted them...but as usual...I don't want to pay for them.

So...of course I figured out how to do it for free (using what I already had).

They are made from...cardboard.  One of my all time favorite supplies.

cost = FREE
(already had everything I needed)

Supplies Needed:

• cardboard
• pencil
• ruler
• box cutter/exacto/etc.
• tape
• newspaper
• school glue/mod podge
• paint (spray paint or acrylic)
• sand paper

 1. Find a pattern of a star that you like.  print it out (or just draw one).  I found this one on yahoo images.  There are lots of different types and styles.  I like the chunky ones.
Cut it out and tape it down.

2.  Find the center of your star and draw lines out BEYOND each point (if you want to enlarge your pattern like I did.  I did a 2:1 ratio.  The long points are double the size of the shorter points (I measured the long lines at 8 inches beyond my pattern and the short lines 4 inches beyond my pattern).

3.  poke a hole through the center of the star.

 4.  remove the star.

5. connect the lines through the center hole.

6.  connect the outside points.

7. Cut out the star. 
Score each long line of each star. 
Turn the star over. 
Redraw the lines and from the score all the short lines (on the under side).

8.  Bend the star so that the long lines are raised and the short lines are indented to create a 3D effect.

9. "Scrunch" your star so that it is the height that you want it and trace it onto another cardboard.

(p.s...the hairy arm is not mine...lol...guess who:)

Note: depending on the size and shape of your star you may need to trim the points at the short lines to get it to lay flat.

How to trim:  locate short line point measure in (1/2 to 1 inch in).  From that point, draw a line to the long line point.  Cut the trim line.  Repeat this process all the way around the star.  

This will help your star to lay flat.

10.  Cut out the 2nd star (it is the backboard) and will be smaller than star#1.

11.  Tape each long line (outside points) of star #1 to star #2.

12.  Also tape each short line (inside points).

it should look like this.  See how it's raised....ooo.

13.  Paper mache/mod podge one layer newspaper onto the front of the star
(the paint will take to the newspaper better than the cardboard...and it will help to hide your tape). 
I use white school glue watered down with a little water to thin it out to do this.

14.  Let it dry and then paint it black.  I spray painted these.  You could also use acrylic paint.

15.  After it was dry, I sanded each raised edge (the long lines) and around the outside edges.

Tada

They have texture and character. 

I really like the way that they turned out.

I made a bunch of different sizes for variety.

If you want to hang them all you have to do is make a hole in the back star (star #2) and hang it on a picture hook, screw, nail, or push pin...whatever you fancy.

mileka:)

Paint Chip Mosaic Hide-a-Box Wall Hanging

I have a wall in my kitchen that has my thermostat smack dab in the middle of it (as well as a phone jack and a light switch).  I thought it might be kind of hard to decorate that wall.  Decorating around it was an option but I just couldn't stand the sight of it.

So I decided to hide it.

Guess where it is...

it's hiding in a box...

"hide-a-box"

cost = FREE

Supplies:

• corn dog box (or other box-with a flip top-or make one with a flip top)
• news paper
• school glue/mod podge
• paint brush
• paint
• paint chip samples

HOW TO:

1. I went to my local Home Depot and scored me some

free paint chip sample cards.
(click this link to read more about paint chip sample cards)

2. I cut them into smaller pieces (tiles) to fit onto the top of my box.  I don't like to measure.  I like to "eyeball" a lot of stuff.  You might be the measuring type of person.  If you are you might want to measure.

All in all...you want the tiles to fit on the box leaving small gaps in between each tile.

3. I cut a hole in the back of the corn dog box to fit my thermostat.

4. I covered the front of my box with one layer of newspaper using my home recipe for mod podge (school glue diluted with a little water) to get the newspaper to stick to the box. I like this technique because the paint takes to the newspaper better than the cardboard box. 

4. let the box dry.

5. paint the box black

6. let the box dry

(here you can see the layer of newspaper and black paint)

7.  glue tiles onto the top of the box alternating tile colors.  I did it randomly.

8.  paint over the tiles with a layer of school glue mod podge (to help seal the tiles down).   The water may warp your tiles and they may curl up a little.  You may have to push them down and add more glue. Nothing a little glue and pressure can't fix.

9. let dry

10.  I put one drop of black paint onto a cup of water.  It creates a wash.  Paint over the tiles.  It helps to give the tiles an aged look.  (careful this will moisten the layer of school glue mod podge - swipe/paint/ wash over evenly).

11.  let dry

12.  sand edges

13.  screw to the wall from the inside of the box.



(Here the thermostat is covered up...but...you can also see the phone jack and the light switch...

that's why this wall was such a pain.  Too much going on.  Now it's way better!)

cost = FREE

I had everything I needed...
except for the paint chips (which I got for free:)
so...it's still free:)

Happy Hide-a-Boxing.
I have plans to use this idea but in a different way...stay tuned.

mileka:)

Awesome Find: Paint Chip Sample Cards (FREE)

On a trip to Home Depot I stopped by the discarded paint area (in this area they sell paint that was mixed incorrectly...also known as "oopsie" paint at a discounted price).  They didn't have any colors that I was interested in that day.  But...on my way out I passed the paint chip samples (those little paint sample cards).  These cards are available to customers for free.  So...I helped my self.

I think a got a little carried away...but I couldn't help myself. 
I love neutral colors and it's free.
(p.s. 2 of our girl's names were chosen from paint chip samples;)

Here is what I walked away with...

I took brown, cream, and white tones.

Here is what I made with it...

Mosaic Hide-a-Boxes.

(to see HOW TO click this link)

It hides my ac control panel.  It is creative, awesome, and artsy all at the same time.

(You can also visit your Walmart or local hardware store to find paint chip samples)
mileka:)

How To: Chunky Distressed Frames (cardboard)

How To: Chunky Distressed Frames

Made from....CARDBOARD

cost = FREE

Supplies needed:

• cardboard boxes
• tape measure/ruler
• tape
• box cutter (if needed to adjust box size)
• mod podge/school glue
• newspaper
• paint brush (preferably foam)
• acrylic paint
• screw
• screw driver/drill
• Velcro

This is a Mac and Cheese box I got from Walmart. 

I cut it in half.

1. I cut up the sides to create flaps. 

I measured it so that when I folded and tucked in the flaps it would create a box.

I taped the flaps on the inside of the box.

(you might get lucky and find boxes that are exactly the size you want...I wasn't so lucky.

If you can't find it...make it!)

2. Then I used my home made mod podge to apply one layer of newspaper onto the outside of the box.

(I like to do this because the newspaper absorbs the paint better then the cardboard box.  Sometimes cardboard has a thin water resistant layer and doesn't absorb paint well.)

(home made mod podge recipe:
school glue watered down with a little water)

3. After drying the box, I painted the edges of the box (see the picture above) with a cream color.  That is the color that will show when you distress the edges. 

You don't have to paint the edges cream.  You can do it without the cream under layer and it will be fine (I've done it before without painting an under layer).

4. When the cream paint was dry I painted it black (using acrylic paint).

5. Then I sanded the edges to give it a distressed look.

6. I cut off the end of a capri sun box.  This will be your frame hanger.

(measure it so that it will fit inside of your frame.  If you don't cut it enough your frame will stick out from the wall and not make contact/sit flush against the wall. 

If you cut it too much then there is less of a surface area for your frame to sit on).

You don't have to use a capri sun box.  This is just what I had on hand.  You can use any box.
& screw it to the wall.  You could nail it if you wanted to.  I prefer a screw for this project because I think it holds the frame hanger to the wall more securely (if I choose to turn the frame the other direction-if my picture is landscape instead of portrait direction). 

7. I attached a small piece of velcro to the top (to hold the box frame on).

Then I screwed the capri sun box to the wall.

(NOTE: I chose a capri sun box because it is sturdy.  You will want to use a sturdy box.  Your cardboard frame will be sitting on this box.  It is what will hold your frame up. 

8. I put the other side of the velcro on the inside of the frame.  This is what holds the frame to the hanger.

9. Getting all of the boxes lined up on the wall can be a little tricky (not necessarily hard...it just takes time and a little patience).  I recommend: measure twice, check twice, hang once:) 

10. I put a piece of packing tape in the center of the frames.  This is where the double sided tape will go to attach the picture to the frame.  This will protect the frame when pictures are removed.

 Tada...

Faux Chunky Wooden Distressed Frames

cost = FREE
(I already had everything I needed)

mileka:)

Happy framing:)

(to see the original post click this link)