Filed under Crafty Monday
Recycling things is not only good for the environment, but can be great for sharpening up your crafting skills as well! This weeks Craft idea was originally supposed to be last week’s craft, but I had to delay it due to not having the main supply I needed: A box! I finally got my hands on a used postal box and started my craft today.

I’ve been in desperate need for somewhere to store my scrapbook papers, construction paper, and all that neat stuff. This home-made box is perfect for that. There are numerous other things you could make it for: An awesome personalized gift box, art supply holder, Picture box, or you could stuff anything imaginable in there. Boxes can always be extremely useful. Not to mention you are taking something that would ordinarilly end up in the garbage and putting it to good use!

If you read my last Crafty Monday post, I used a different method of explaining the craft than in my first. I’ve put that method to use in this one as well. You can click on the image below to enlarge it.

Materials:
- 1 Box of any size you choose
- Cute & pretty patterned papers that will fit on your box
- Scissors
- Glue, preferrably a glue stick. Paste is too liquidy!
- Ribbon of your choice
- Tape (I used HD clear box tape)
- Hole puncher (optional)

1. Gather your materials. Here I have pictured all of the materials you will need. Not necessarily a step, but I figured I would put it in there anyway!
2. Open one side of your box. Cut on the left and right side of that side of the box, but leave the last side uncut. This creates a flap.
3. Here I have pictured what I mean by a flap. Now, your box will still be open on one side. Take some tape and tape the side of the box shut, minus the part you just cut. You have just created your box’s Skeleton! Now it needs some skin!
4. With a pair of scissors, cut your papers to the sizes needed for your box sides. I decided to use a different pattern of paper per box. Paste them on using your trusty glue stick.
5. Ta-da! Box is all covered. If you want, you can line the inside with paper as well. I left mine un-covered because I like the idea of showing that I made this box out of a plain old mailing box!
6. With your hole puncher, or you can use scissors if your puncher isn’t sharp enough to pierce the cardboard, make two small holes on the front flap of the box.
7. Cut a 12″ (or longer if you prefer) piece of ribbon and poke them through the holes as shown. On the box directly below the two holes you made (I marked the spot on my box with a red dot) create another hole.
8. Cut a 6″ piece of ribbon. Now this part can be tricky. Make a loop in the ribbon and stuff it through the hole, going outward. You’re creating a Vertical loop on the front of your box. Tie a small knot inside the box to keep the ribbon from slipping out.
9. Tie the top ribbon through the loop you just made into a cute little bow. Now here is the part where you can garnish your box. Place stickers, pictures, ribbons, or anything you would like on your box to make it look more decorative and even more original to your own style. Finished! Don’t forget to put all the stuff you want in your box before you tie it!

I figure the instructions I’ve typed out might be a little confusing, so if any help is needed you can contact me and I will see what I can do!   Filed under Crafty Monday
Over the weekend I didn’t have the time to gather supplies for the Crafty Monday I wanted to do this week, so it’s delayed until next Monday! check back then for a new craft   Filed under Arts & Crafts, Crafty Monday, DIY
I’ve decided to trash the Crafty Wednesday idea and make it Crafty Monday instead I think it’s more functional this way, because it gives me the weekend to work on a craft and have it ready to show on Monday. Considering this is my first crafty post I’m going to explain the way my posts are going to be. I’m going to explain the craft that I chose to do for this week along with a picture. Then I’m going to list the materials needed, and after that the procedure. Of course I will also credit the website where I found the idea in the first place, unless of course it’s my own

Before I found this idea, all of my earrings were in a slightly crowded, unorganized jewelry box. Every time I wanted to find a pair of earrings to match what I was wearing, I had to dump the box over and shuffle through the masses of different earrings to find the ones I was looking for. What a hassle this was! This craft idea is my ultimate remedy. No longer do I have to dig and dig for my earrings, and not to mention spend extra money for pairs of earrings that I lose!

Materials:
- 1 10” x 13” Picture Frame with metal snaps
- 1 sheet of cross-stitch canvas
Cost: $5.00

I bought my materials from Michael’s Craft Store. The frame was on sale for $4, and the cross-stitch sheet was .65 cents. The funny thing is, it’s the exact same frame that’s used by the original poster of this idea, even though it was posted almost a year ago.

Remove the back of the frame, along with the glass and any papers / fillers that are there as well. If your canvas is too big, you can use regular scissors to re-size it. You want it to fit pretty snug in the frame, but not to the point where it bends.

Lay your canvas into the frame, and secure it with the metal snaps. Flip your frame around and voilà! You are done You can hang this on the wall with a thumb tack, or secure a picture a hanger to the back of the frame.

I found this craft idea from Teresa Franco’s Blog. So since this is my first crafty monday, I am well prepared for some direct constructive criticism. How have I done for my first post like this? Is the format of my post okay? Did I explain everything clearly? All comments are appreciated!