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We interrupt your regularly scheduled…

…party preparations for a little Before and AFter! 
I hate painting.  HATE it.  But I did a lot of it today
So as soon as my dad and husband weren’t looking, I did a fun project.  I made this:
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Into this:
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(I’d sure like to know how Layla at The Lettered Cottage does that B&A picture thing.  It would be cool here, right?)

I’ve been looking for storage baskets for under my coffee table for a few weeks now.  They are to store toys, and I didn’t want the toys to be seen.  They had to be light weight, and probably most important, cheap.  Not an easy find.

But in the process, I realized that a diaper box fits perfectly on that shelf.  Three or four of them would give me a ton of storage, and the option to sort the toys so Adam can pull out just what he wants.  (Amazingly, the kid picks up after himself sometimes.  He must have learned it at daycare, because he didn’t learn it from us!)

But c’mon!  I’m not going to have diaper boxes hanging out in my living room!  So how do you make a diaper box pretty? Burlap, hot glue, ribbon, cardstock, and coffee!

So first, I primed with gray.  Not a good idea.  I’ll show you why, later.  I should have hauled my lazy butt to the basement to get the white.  But I had to cover the bright yellow with something, and as I said, I have a lazy butt.
img_0195Next, start with the burlap.  I left the flappy-thingies on, and started by wrapping some burlap around them and securing with hot glue.
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After I wrapped the flappy-thingy (technical term, here), I folded it down.
img_0211 And pulled the burlap down the side and glued.img_0212
I have found that with burlap, it works best if you glue a couple of inches, and use the fancy-schmancy tool (stem of a fake flower) to burnish the burlap and pull it tight as you go. img_0213
After doing both ends, I measured a piece of burlap to wrap around the long sides. I centered it on the back and glued it on using the same “burnish with a stem” technique. img_0216
Then I had these ugly seams.  img_0219
So I folded them under, and glued them down. img_0221
Keep wrapping and gluing until you’re all the way around.img_0222 img_0223
Fold and glue the ugly seams.img_0225
Stand back, and decide it needs a little something. Glue some black satin ribbon around the top and bottom.img_0226
Get out your handy dandy tag punch from Creative Memories. img_0228
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(Okay, see the gray spots on the box on the pictures above?  That’s where the gray primer is showing through.  Blech.  Luckily, you can’t see it as much in person.  The flash really brings it out.)
Whoa!  That bright white cardstock is, well, too bright!  Enter the leftover coffee from this morning.img_0230 img_0231I let it soak for a few minutes, dried with the hair dryer, and distressed it using one of those chalky thingies for scrapbooking.  I’m not sure what to write on it yet, though.  Maybe just numbers (I’ll hate it if Adam puts them back out of order, though) or the name of the toys – blocks, tractors, puzzles, food (but what if we decide to change categories?)  I don’t know…any suggestions?
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Total cost:
Diaper box: Free
Burlap: $1.99/yard at Hobby Lobby.  I used less than a yard.
Ribbon: $1.99 at Hobby Lobby – TONS left.
Hot glue: Who knows?
Tag: um…pennies?img_0240
I love it!  And I have to thank the bloggie world for introducing me to burlap!  I love neutrals in my home, but need some texture, and burlap is perfect!
Okay – now for the linky parties:
Pic for Body of Blog3 makemonday1image

Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden
Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special


Would you like to comment?

  1. You did a great job! I love burlap also...

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  2. That is such a cute idea! It looks really great!
    ~Jennifer
    www.studiojru.com

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  3. Seriously smart idea! You know how many of those HUGE diaper boxes I have tossed to the curb weekly?? Ugh...and now we're almost completely potty trained! The luck. Great job!

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  4. Love your thrifty idea...it looks outstanding! Hop over and show it off at my NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAYS party and while you are there...enter my CASH GIVEAWAY:)

    Blessings.
    Linda

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  5. Wow, I never, never would have thought of that! Great idea. I think I shall have to try that.

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  6. Brilliant! I need odd sized baskets for my laundry room (to hide all those pipe-y things! I have lots of burlap and ribbon. This goes on the to-do list.

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  7. That is an awesome transformation!

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  8. That is terrific! Talk about recycling!! Great project!

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  9. LOVE burlap for much the same reasons--neutral color with texture. This came out so nice! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. I love this idea!!! You did a great job!

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  11. Very, very thrifty. I have some lidded boxes that I'm going to "rope."

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  12. Love, love, love it! Awesome transformation!

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  13. you know, those finished storage boxes can be expensive... great idea! love it!
    Sandy

    http://thewondersofdoing.blogspot.com/

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  14. Great Job!!! Love it!!! I found you from Make it for Monday. I am your newest follower!!! I can't wait to see what you do next!
    Bonnie
    http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com

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  15. It turned out so cute. And if the little guy destroys it you can make a new one. Very clever!

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  16. What a great idea!!! I may copy you and make some cheap storage baskets for my craft room!! Thanks for the inspiration :)

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  17. That's so clever and much better looking than a diaper box!

    I'm hosting a party and would love to have you come over and link this up!

    http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2010/03/make-it-yours-day_10.html

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  18. I'm so glad you came over and linked this up to Make it Yours day! I think it's just so clever.

    Thanks again!

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  19. WHAT?! No way I seriously was thinking the same thing the other day while I was looking at a box thinking I need one but what would I do to cover it! Stopping by from New Friend Friday!

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  20. Okay, seriously? We were destined to meet! I reused a diaper box for organization too!! http://jvanoort.blogspot.com/2010/04/free-organization.html
    Don't you LOVE those Target boxes....so sturdy! Yours looks so sophisticated!

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  21. You are just, too, too clever, Katie!! :)

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  22. I am obsessed w/Burlap right now. i just ordered a pillow from etsy but want to buy some.. i'm thinking about attempting a burlap shower curtain assuming I can find a good paint color... maybe a name banner for new baby once (s)he has a name :) thanks! Love your blog!

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  23. Katie, I didn't know a cardboard box could look this awesome! Thanks for inspiring and saving me lots of $$$$

    I would be honored to have you add it to my blog party

    Amaze Me Monday Blog Party

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  24. I love it! I want to try it too! I am obsessed with burlap right now.

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