Craft Caddy Decorating

Hello friends

As promised I'm posting today some details/instructions as to how I

decorated my Charity Craft Caddy.

You will have received your greyboard pieces and in addition three sheets of

12 x 12 paper and three vintage metal handles.  

The very first step I chose to do was some painting - purely optional but I did not 

fancy cutting fiddly bits of paper to fit the inside tray.

I used some regular household paint.

It isn't perfect but I was looking for a distressed/aged look anyway! 

Best to leave to dry overnight and then you can start cutting paper.

To make the most of your paper, I have shown below how I calculated the cutting of two 

pieces of the 12 x 12 (by the time you reach the third piece it is a case of using what is left

and it all makes sense).  Use your caddy as a guide, lay it onto the pieces of paper and

mark where it should be cut, a paper trimmer is best unless you are brilliant at cutting

straight lines (I am not!)  

I have not allowed for you covering the base of the box as it is not visible.

Here you can see how the side section is going to be attached, 

you cover the sides in two pieces otherwise the lid will not open.

I've chosen to use Glue n' Seal, this enabled me to really seal the edges of the paper and

it doesn't matter if it oozes out as it dries clear. Cosmic Shimmer will also work and

I'm now stocking this is super large size bottles. You can see them here.

 Details of how I cut the second sheet.

Much like the sides of the caddy, the back section must be attached in two pieces.

Lower back - align the top of the paper with the crease that is the hinge

and repeat this for the upper back section.

Drawer Fronts: to achieve perfect sizing, position your drawer so you can mark on 

your paper where to cut.

Glue to front - much like with assembling the caddy, best to wait for the glue to dry 

before the following optional steps.

Using a sanding block/file/paper I've distressed the edges slightly,

this also discards any paper you may have slightly over-cut. 

 I then inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink - available here.

Attaching the knob handles:  there is 1 large and two small.

I thought it would be nice to have the lid knob slightly different.

Position the knob and grab a ruler. 

 Mark where the centre is and make a hole to fit the screw.

(note the very nice pokey tool I have, my Dad makes these, turns them on his lathe.

Each one is different - they are available to purchase, just let me know).

Once the hole is big enough push the screw through from the inside of the box, screw on the

knob and tighten - a pair of pliers works well.

 Here you can see the before and after of the drawer fronts.

Here is an image of a corner of the caddy covered but not yet distressed and inked.  

 You will be left with quite a few scraps. 

You can if you wish, use them to cover the inner drawer sections. 

And inside, I've used the same distress ink on the edges of the tray.

I found a piece of pretty paper in my scrap box that fitted and of 

course there is always the option of a wallpaper sample...

shhh you didn't hear that from me though! 

Your box is decorated but empty... we will address that in future kits :)

At Stitches the company that assisted me in creating the Craft Caddy

had their version on display, they had chosen to paint and decorate it.

I love how different it looks just by the application of paint and

different handles.   

 

Lovely idea inside the lid.

Wouldn't a line of these be useful on our crafty desks, or make up as a gift for someone.

Charity Kits are still available to purchase here.

I must mention Sue Yorkshire, I hope all went well yesterday

with the birth of your grandson - how lovely, newborns are always gorgeous

and need constant spoiling.  Teenagers...well that's a different matter!

Have a lovely Thursday, I'm back in London.

Take care friends.