DIY Craft: No-Sew Fabric Covered Box Tutorial

This past weekend I was out and about running errands on my own.  And I'm sure most of you mom's know.......I sort of felt like I was on a mini-vacation. Anyway, I stopped off at one of my favorite local thrift stores and, come to find out, the entire store was 50% off.  50% off at a thrift store?  Yes, I couldn't believe it either.  I picked up a bunch of things that I just couldn't go home without and this little metal box for 50 cents was one of them.

Here is what the box looked like when I brought it home:

Not very exciting, but it was just begging to be given new life.  So I decided to get out my craft supplies and turn it into something a little more eye-catching.  This is an easy, inexpensive craft project that can be done with mostly items you have around the house.  Granted, if you don't craft a lot you may have to buy some essentials (like spray adhesive), but you'll be able to use this things for projects in the future.

Fabric Covered Box Tutorial

by Lindsay Wilkes from The Cottage Mama

Supplies:

Box ~ any size (mine was able to fit large notecards inside)

Spray Paint

Spray Adhesive

Glue Gun

Fabric (a fat quarter should be more than enough)

Trim

Scissors

Instructions:

I grabbed a can of spray paint that I happened to have around for this project.  You want to make sure you spray the inside of the box really well since that will not be covered.  Let the inside dry and then flip the box over and spray the bottom.  The rest of the box will be covered by fabric and trim so no need to worry about it's appearance.

Cut the piece of fabric for the top of the box about 1/2" larger than the box top.  Then cut small slits on the diagonal in each of the corners which will enable you to wrap the fabric around the box (like you are wrapping a gift) after you use your spray adhesive.  You are just wrapping the fabric down over about a 1/2" over the edge so that you don't see any raw edges.  The raw edge will eventually be concealed by your ribbon trim.

Measure and cut out the strip of fabric to go around the box.  You want the fabric to go all the way around the box and overlap by about an inch.  Cut the fabric wider than necessary so you can press under the top and bottom with your iron.  Press the fabric so that it is just the right size to fit your box.  Also press under the one side that will overlap in the back of the box so it looks neat and tidy.

The next part is easy.  Take your box and fabric outside and spray liberally with spray adhesive.  Place fabric on the box and smooth out any bumps.  For the top, press the over-hang pieces down a tiny bit over the sides, but remember this will be covered by trim so it doesn't have to be perfect. Spray adhesive around the main part of the box and wrap your fabric strip around the box, overlapping the strip in the back.  

Next, get out your glue gun and glue any trims that you have onto your box.  You can use anything you would like to embellish this box.  I simply used trims that were already in my stash to make this an even more budget friendly project.  I used one piece of ribbon around the top and then I layered some rickrack and ribbon around the bottom.  This is your chance to get creative!

You can use this box for just about anything.  I think it would be fun to make some of these for different holidays too.  How about one for Christmas?  It could also be an adorable recipe card box, a place to store crafting or sewing supplies, or even a pretty container for flowers........

I simply placed two of my really small ball jars (minus the lids) inside the box and filled them with water to hold the flowers.  These flowers were already growing in our yard and I love being able to use things that we already have.  

So that's it!  A super-simple craft project taking an ordinary thrift-store metal box and making it into something beautiful, special and one-of-a-kind!

my dinner table last weekend

Today I bring you pictures of my table laid for dinner with friends this weekend.

Country life is pretty busy at this time of year and I'm afraid that time is running away with me .  I get a day planned out then something unexpected happens.  

 I'm trying to source the hay supply for the horses for next winter, and the wet weather most certainly isn't helping with that one.  Quick is needing much attention during his stable rest, and last night I was even called in to help when a stallion frayed his way into a field of brood mares nearby - UGH , that was not pretty, believe me, and I'm pleased I won't have to cover the subsequent vets fees!

 Apart from that I have children coming and going at home, so fluctuating numbers for meals, which of course I enjoy. 

 So many totally charming and such interesting guests to our cottage, and it's hard to resist stopping to chat.

So all of this is my way of saying that all I can bring you today are pictures of my dinner table last Friday.  Lovely friends invited, lively conversation, good wine.   And on the menu?    Home made gazpacho,  followed by veal in lemon and a creamy risotto, delicious local cheese and peaches in wine with rosemary for dessert.

Down the centre of the table, I tried out a new idea:  little pots filled with moss and with candles,  lined out on a long plate and surrounded by sprigs from the rose climbing over our gate.  Seemed to work quite well, I'll be trying variations on that one.

Hope that your week is getting off to a good start, thank you for finding the time to stop by here.

Spring Sewing Swap Stuff

I recently participated in a 'Spring Sewing Swap' over at Sewing In No Mans Land.  Did you hear about this?  Basically you just signed up and used three words to describe yourself / your style.  Then we were each paired up with someone and given only their name, shipping address and their three descriptive words.   We weren't give a dollar value to send.  You were just supposed to send a package that you would like to receive in the mail yourself.  I thought this just sounded like such a neat idea.

I quickly sent my package out prior to heading to quilt market.  I should have taken a picture, but I didn't have time.  I sent a bunch of different trims, a fat quarter bundle of fabrics, and several The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns.

Then a week or so later, I received my package in the mail in return from the person I was paired up with for the swap.  I can't tell you how excited I was ~ I was like a kid on Christmas!

My swap buddy sent me the most beautiful bag of trims, packaged up so beautifully.  To be honest, I can't remember what three words I used to describe my style, but she hit the nail on the head.  And then she sent these beautiful summery fabrics.  I actually had no eyelet in my stash, so this was such a pleasant surprise.  She included two hand-knit hats for the girls that she made herself.  We absolutely love these hats to pieces.  I don't have pictures of the hats because the girls love playing with them for dress up so they were off in one area of the house or another when I was taking these pictures.

I'm thinking I might challenge myself to make an outfit for one (or both of the girls) out of this grouping of sewing loveliness.  What do you think?  Do you think I can do it?  I don't think it should be very hard since everything she sent is beautiful.  But it might be kind of fun to see what I come up with.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this beautiful package with you all.  And say a BIG GIANT thank you to my swap buddy!

Have you every participated in a swap before? 

If so, did you love the package that was sent your way?  

This really was so much fun.  I would definitely sign up for another one in a heartbeat!

Welcome July

Images via Country Living

this week's loot shoot : pink and flowery

This morning's loot shoot reveals itself in pale pinks and blues, with a sprinkling of tiny liberty style flowers.  I bought some of the loot yesterday, and some today, in a series of fairs.

I think my three favourite pieces are the mannequin, the little pink jacket that is probably an old piece of theatre costume and my chandelier. 

 But there again, I am more than fond of  the chandelier and wall appliqué that I found, as well as this wonderful old wooden box, originally used to hold toiletries for a 'pensionnaire' meaning a school boarder.

 and this little blue alarm clock, and the match box in the same powder blue

Lots of tiny pastry moulds, and a nice desk calendar with the months in French;

 and this rather special, small trinket cup.  Standing about 3" high, it's like a wide egg cup. 

 I believe it to be Napoleon III,  around 1880.

 Wherever I go at the moment, I pick up old kitchen whisks;  so charming,

and I like this pair of embossed tin trays, that would be pretty at Christmas time, adding a bit of vintage sparkle.

Thank you to all of you who take a special interest in my loot shoots.  Laying the loot out is so much more fun when I know that other people enjoy it too.

And by the way, several people left me comments or mails asking about pieces last week, but their  addresses were anonymous or no-reply.  You are very welcome to contact me about anything in the loot shoot, but if you would like an answer, please make sure I can get back to you!! :)  Thank you!

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3