Working Inside the Box

Pat Ruge
by Pat Ruge
5 Materials
$10
3 Hours
Medium
Having researched Pintrest and collecting a number of "inspiration" pieces, I decided to be on the lookout for cigar boxes. My first inclination was to check with a local smoke shop thinking maybe, just maybe, they gave away the empty boxes. No such luck, they wanted $12+ each. Darn!

My experience with garage sale'n has taught me that it isn't because they aren't there, only means because I wasn't looking. Sure enough, w/n a few weeks, I'm at a garage sale where there are 15 cigar boxes. "How much, if I take them all?" $5 = SOLD! Couple of lessons here for crafters. 1.) Patience = wait for the deal. 2.) Know your prices. At .33 cents each, I could afford to make mistakes and throw out any unused boxes. Not that that's gonna happen, at least not yet!
I've already used one of my cigar boxes as a wedding gift for my soon to be Grandson-in=law. You might want to take a look at that, which I called "Outside the box". (https://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/rooms/outside-the-box-39246607).


For this project, I have chosen one of three identical boxes included in my selection. Red, is not what I wanted, but I liked the size and shape. So before we can get to the inside-the box, we must address the outside.
Red, is a very difficult color to change. I prepared my Gesso recipe (see my (https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/mom-podge-the-mother-of-gesso-and-modeling-paste-34374501) project as we will be using both the MomPodge and the Gesso recipe for this projects.
I wanted the outside of the box to be somewhat of a turquoise affect. Using an array of Wintergreen, Award Blue, and Blue Bonnet, I swiped and mixed the color, while wet to get the achieved results.


Now we get to inside of the box.
For inside-the-box, I am using the Haberdashery paper collection and the Cricut paper cutter to exact the cuts required for lining the box. Scissors and an unsteady hand, just don't work for me.
I'm showing the inside top of the box. Each of the remainder bottom and sides will follow the same procedure. Using MomPodge, place a generous amount on the box, and spreading the same on the back side of the paper cut out. Take a credit card and smooth out any bubbles that might occur and to insure complete adhesive over the entire surface.
The bottom and sides are cut to measure and adhered the same, starting with the bottom and then each of the sides. Let this dry for the next 24 hours to see if there is anything unexpected, I might need to address.
A final coat of MomPodge on the top, bottom and all sides. This is where it looks a little scary. Just wait to dry. Now you see it!
Now you don't!


Although this completes my inside-the-box project, it is my intention to work on the outside in order to create a memorable (keepsake) wedding gift for my granddaughter. Stay tuned!
Suggested materials:
  • Apple Barrel craft paints   (Walmart)
  • Elmer's Glue   (Lowe's)
  • Haberdashery paper collection   (Joann)
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5 of 12 comments
  • Necee Marie Necee Marie on Oct 29, 2018

    im so doing this!

    • See 1 previous
    • Necee Marie Necee Marie on Oct 30, 2018

      not sure when that will be. Working a lot . But when it happens I’ll show pics!

  • NancyMaria NancyMaria on Nov 01, 2018

    I would think as a wedding gift, copies of prior generations in black & white would be nice.


    I am so doing this next summer. I have a vintage shipping trunk from my great Aunt and I covered the inside with newspaper print shelf paper some 34+ years ago. Now I can do it right! Thank you, who says you can't teach an old do new tricks. :)

    • Pat Ruge Pat Ruge on Nov 01, 2018

      Thanks, Nancy, for your comment. This is why I do what I do. This particular project will have a part 2. I'm working on the outside as we speak. Look for "Inside/Out" - I'm just days away....

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