Pretty Box Facade with Replaceable Labels!



Pretty up your storage boxes! Easy labeling system.

As you've probably noticed, I tend to make not only easy crafts but frugal (i.e. super cheap) crafts. 

I'd really love to use rubbermaid containers to store everything . . . but I'm too cheap to buy the containers. So I reuse shipping boxes as storage vehicles. And instead of using specific boxes only for certain seasonal decor items, I take out the new decor and put away the old decor in the same box. 

Yes, cheap and lazy. A perfect combination. Like peanut butter and jelly. Or mashed bananas on toast. (You've seen Gilmore Girls, right?)

This gets me into a spot of trouble:



Pretty soon there won't be enough empty space to use my Sharpie! Then how will I know what's in the box?

Ta Da! Same box!



Pretty Box Facades w/ easily replaceable labels! Tutorial after the jump.

The inspiration for this project came from my cousin Amy. She hasn't updated her blog is a little while - she has three kids! busy mom! - but her blog can be found at http://thelunchhourgardener.wordpress.com/.
 
She put a picture on Facebook of shoe boxes covered in paper or fabric (can't remember which!). I thought, "Self, why not cover just the front side of a box (the only side that would be seen in an over stuffed closet!) in pretty paper and add a replaceable label?"

So I did. And now you can, too!

You will need:

Box
Two sheets of different scrapbook paper, wrapping paper or card stock. I suggest that you use cardstock for the tag holder.
Two sheets of printer paper (or any scrap paper, really)
Glue gun
Tape
Paper cutter (one with a blade you can pick up and drop as you wish), scissors or craft knife

 

Cut a piece of paper or card stock. 3 1/2 inches x 12 inches.  Fold 1/2 inch from one edge, lengthwise. This will help hold your tags in place. 

Make a fold 3 1/4 inches away from each end.

Use a cutting tool to cut out a rectangle from the middle area of the paper.

Fold the sides back and tape together. 

Use tape or glue to close the bottom of the tag holder. 

Cut a piece of paper that's a little longer and a little wider than the front side of your box. If you have a really large box, use wrapping paper for this part. Fold all sides so that the paper exactly fits from top to bottom. It's okay if the paper wraps around the side a bit. Glue to the box.

Glue the tag holder to the center of the paper.

Cut scrap paper into 5 1/4 x 2 1/2 inch rectangles. Stack them together and put them in the tag holder.

Write your new label! Discard the label when you need to use the box for something else. 



7 comments

  1. This is a great idea! Thanks for linking up at The Makers!
    Corey @ TinySidekick.com

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    1. Thanks! The Makers link party is so much fun! You, Alexis and Katie throw a great party.

      The Makers Link Party is held on Tuesday and can be found at: http://www.tinysidekick.com

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  2. What a great idea, I love it. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! Your site sooo beautiful.

      http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

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  3. Aah! Just saw this! Live your fabric choices!

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  4. This is a great idea! I could do this for my craft boxes. I have too many to move them from box to box and some holidays has more than others. For example for Christmas I probably have 10 (this includes on the table cloths, pillows, stuffed animals, ornament, decorations and candle holders). I keep the candles inside or they will melt. Halloween and Easter have one big box and Valentines and St. Patricks share a box. I need to fix my patriotic box. whew! why wonder my husband groans. lol

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