Tuesday, May 7, 2013

74 DJ Jazzy Jen and the Fresh Shoe Box

Now this the story all about how my shoe box got flipped, turned upside down.  And I'd like to take a minute just sit right there, I will tell you how I created a pretty storage box out of thin air.

Pretty good right?  A little wrappin' rap to get you started this fine Tuesday morning! 

As I was working on the studio, I was trying to "shop" my home first, for storage, to avoid the expense of purchasing a bunch of new items.  Plus, it is baseball season which means a whole new list of expenses that are far more important than a pretty box.

So, I turned those boxes from the boy's new baseball cleats into my storage.  Win win win.


The boxes started out as standard flip top shoe boxes. With the addition of some pretty wrapping papers they were transformed into decorative yet functional storage in my studio. 

The goal was to have them look as seamless as possible, so the whole thing was done with a single sheet of paper.


This process can be done many different ways, just as wrapping a gift could.  Here are some tips that worked well to pull off a darling storage box:
    • The supplies used were: tape, double sided tape, scissors, Washi Tape and Mod Podge
    • The paper was wrapped around the shoe box with plenty of overlap on all sides and cut to length
    • Start wrapping the box on the front face opposite the lid and wrap back around
    • As you make your cuts, cut the paper at an angle at the corners of the box to allow the paper to wrap around and cover the corners rather than having an open seam showing the box

     
    • Double sided tape was used on the underside of the paper whenever possible to provide a cleaner look
    • A thin coat of Mod Podge was applied over the top of the edges and seams to "glue and seal"  and also assist in the seamless look


    • On the front upper edge I added a piece of pretty Washi tape to prevent future wearing and tearing of the paper

    The process was repeated with the second box with a different color and pattern of paper.  Since the second box was going to be on display, I wanted to jazz it up even more and add decorative buttons.

     
    To affix the buttons I poked two holes in the box and threaded the buttons on with twine.


    The boxes will be used in the cabinets to hold random craft items for projects.


    I am really excited about how these boxes turned out, using supplies I already had at home.  The process was fairly simple, and the end result is something that is sure to make me smile every time I use my space!


    And now you get to have a sneak peek at the shelves getting all filled up with crafty goodness!  It's coming right along!

    I looked at my studio and it was finally there, the storage of my dreams which started out bare.

    OK, so maybe I should stick to wrapping boxes instead of rapping about boxes.

    74 comments:

    1. Goodness, you're so clever! I love this idea and your rap was so fun!!

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    2. super cute, jen!!! love the washi tape & buttons ...such great details! can't wait to see the rest of your cabinets all decked out!
      emma @ from my little pink couch

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    3. When will the monthly challenge be back? I thought it was going to return this month.

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      1. This month is going to be a smaller challenge, it starts next week. :)

        xo,
        Jen

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    4. You are so funny, Jen!! :) Love the boxes.. such a great idea!! I like how you store your washi tape and pencils too. Make good use of those canning jars. :)

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    5. Love these! I have one of those Nike shoeboxes sitting around our apartment too...must add pretty paper now :).

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    6. Great idea Jen! And, thanks for the tutorial. Our women's ministry wraps shoe boxes for the holidays...you should have seen all of us trying to figure out how to do the ones with the flip top. Very comical. Next year, I will look like a pro thanks to your tutorial.

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    7. I have that blue and white wrapping paper too. Got mine at Home Goods, they have the best wrapping paper while you're wating in line to check out. Gets me every time! I bought 4 rolls of it to wallpaper my closet like Courtney did in A Thoughtful Place! :)

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      Replies
      1. I agree, they always have great paper! And I would love to see the closet when you get it "wrapped" up! ;)

        xo,
        Jen

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    8. I love this idea!! So great and so simple! Thanks for posting!

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    9. Haha DJ Jen ! You crack me up!!!! :)
      Looks super cute, good job!
      Iris
      The {colored} Married Life

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    10. Any chance you could do a video on this or more of a step by step. I really like the idea but I need more instruction. Could contact paper be used? Thanks

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    11. Contact paper could be used! And great suggestion on the video, so hard to try and explain each step, but I would be happy to help if you have any specific questions.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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    12. Love the rap and that is the cutest shoe box I've ever seen! Great idea!

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    13. I love the buttons on there. I have wrapped boxes before, but the button for keeping it closed is something I have not thought of, I think I have to go try it.

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    14. Since i'm redoing my rooms I so will be doing this!! Great idea!! :)

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    15. Can you share where you got the cute wrapping paper? I have two of the same Nike boxes from my girls softball cleats and I haven't thrown them out b/c I knew there was some purpose for them ;) Thanks!

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      1. Absolutely! The yellow dots are from Paper Source and the blue is from HomeGoods. HomeGoods always has amazing colorful options, :)

        xo,
        Jen

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    16. Love them! Thanks for the inspiration. Can't wait to see the rest of the room!

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    17. SUPER.ADORABLE. I've been putting your cereal box drawer liners all around the house. And if I do say so, I think I kept one or two of these boxes when I last purchased shoes for summer!

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    18. LOVE these! Now I could kick myself with my son's cleats for throwing out similar boxes. ;) Thanks for the inspiration (and the rap)!

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    19. Buttons! That is such a good idea. A little accessory like that makes it look store bought and not like, well, a shoe box!
      {lamourcheznous.wordpress.com}

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    20. Loved the tutorial! Unfortunately, I'm a visual, motion learner. Is it possible to have a video tutorial for this wrapping? I just get so confused with pictures : ( Once again, loved the post!

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      1. I think I have another box to use for a video... fingers crossed. It is sort of one of those things that you just figure out as you go, just like wrapping a gift ;)

        xo,
        Jen

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    21. Love these!!! I'm gonna have to try making some :)

      Vera

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    22. What a great idea! And I love the rapping at the beginning of the post. I actually referenced The Fresh Prince on my blog yesterday. Too funny!

      The Grass Skirt Blog

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    23. Ha! Love this!! You always have the BEST organizing upcycle tutorials! Freestyle wrapping at its finest -- Go DJ, go DJ, go!!

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    24. Finally something to show off all that pretty paper I have stored in my wrapping box :)

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    25. Hooray, I have 6 of these empty boxes that I have been puzzling over what to do with. For once I saved the right thing at the right time! The step by step details are very helpful. This is a great idea that I will use immediately!

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    26. Your Fresh Prince rap has me cracking up! And I love these boxes! I have been wanting to try this since cute boxes can be pricy, and I'm happy to now have a tutorial. Thanks, and I love your blog!

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    27. LOVE this! So timely too because literally two days ago I about to throw my husbands shoe boxes away and didn't thinking I might do something with them. NOW I know what I will do. THANKS!
      I wish you were my friend...:)

      xo
      Anna

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      Replies
      1. Oh Anna, we are totally friends! <3 Even if we have never met!

        xo,
        Jen

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    28. Super cute boxes! I noticed that you have quite a few decorating books on your shelf. Which one is your favorite?

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      1. So hard to say, I love them all for so many different reasons. It's been awhile since I have done a roundup, maybe I will do another sometime. :D

        xo,
        Jen

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    29. WONDERFUL...
      Which paper did you use?

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      Replies
      1. The yellow dot paper is from Paper Source and the blue is from HomeGoods. HomeGoods is a great source for bright and pretty papers.

        xo,
        Jen

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    30. I always save shoe boxes. You never know when you'llneed some quick storage or need one for a school project!

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    31. I used boxes inside drawers-didn't wrap them though...this is super cute! It's such a great feeling to do something that's FREE!!!! I love washi tape, and would love to get a collection going :)

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    32. looove how they turned out! would totally try this sometime soon. thanks for the inspiration they will make any spot look so pretty! xx. gigi.

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    33. Great idea!
      (Here's another vote for a video please~)

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    34. Love the idea!! Super cute!!

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    35. So so cute!! you always have the cutest papers! and i'm feeling your pain on all the baseball gear...the boys grow so dang fast!!

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    36. DIYer & Organizer by day. Rapper by night. That rap was "off the chain," "da bomb," "fire" ...well, you get it. It was too cute. I love the boxes, too, by the way. Now I've got The Fresh Prince song stuck in my head. LOL

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    37. Just bought that paper last week!!! Thanks for all the inspiration!

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    38. I wrap my shoe boxes like this in contact paper every year when we do our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. It sticks as you wrap and the paper doesn't slide. I love the look and the boxes are sturdy. I like the idea of using modge-podge to strengthen the paper. Very nice looking.

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      1. Great great tip to use contact paper! I am totally doing that next time! :)

        xo,
        Jen

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    39. Oh, my gosh. I have been keeping a bunch of shoe boxes to do this but haven't known a good method. I just popped over from your post about next trends on BowerPower and this must be a sign. If on my first visit I've already found a super tip, then I've just got to subscribe!

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    40. Jen- you never disappoint! Fabulous! :)
      Whitney

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    41. Lol! Fabulous rap and wrapping job ;)

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    42. So Fresh Prince and fabulous! Thanks!

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    43. The buttons are a genius idea!

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    44. In Tokyo a washi specialties' shop has a variety of cardboard shapes that you can cover with WASHI paper to produce all sorts of boxes. We use to finish with several layers of clear varnish, a very thin type that dry quickly called Tsuya-dashi (glazer). It ensures long life to the boxes.

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    45. Off topic at hand: where did you find the clock? I found their website, but shipping to the US is $40!!!!

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      1. Hi Rachel!

        I purchased it within the Typo store at Mall of America for $15. $40 is crazy, but I don't know of another place that carries it. :(

        xo,
        Jen

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    46. You are the absolute cutest ever. Love your rap...and your wrap! You definitely have a special talent for wrapping boxes so seamlessly...most of mine would be best suited for the "Pinterest-Fails" site. ;) I love the sneak peek of your organized space--so excited for the full reveal! Hope you're having a great week, Miss Jen!

      ~Abby =)

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    47. You make me want to wrap everything up in pretty paper!! Great great idea - love the prettiness!

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    48. Haha, that was super funny! And love the project, btw!

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    49. Great project! Wondering where you got the lovely little clock on top of the box?? I love it.

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      1. Thank you! I found it at Typo at Mall of America.

        xo!
        Jen

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    50. Once again thank you Jen for another great post. Hands down, you are one of the cleverest, and most generous people. Thanks for sharing. I too would enjoy a few more details.

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    51. So beautiful!! I have a million shoeboxes lying around the house that could be put to much better (and cuter) use! Thank you :)

      -- Mary
      maryjozefiak.wordpress.com

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    52. I've done this more than one time and never thought to add buttons to the front! Absolutely brilliant! I used a box that I had to cut down, wrapped it, then turned it upside down to 'corral' a bunch of unsightly cord issues on the bottom shelf of a bookcase next to the desk. I thought I was quite clever, but you have outdone yourself! A flip top box out of one sheet of wrapping paper. Seriously? You go girl!

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    53. Just read this article and loving it!!! Plus, it kinda resembles the one I made on there: http://lifeinpositudiness.blogspot.com/2013/05/making-box.html
      So defintely my kind of boxes!!!
      Love it Jen!
      :)

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    54. Yes Yes, I was thinking of this because I so keep shoe boxes, and leave to the Fresh PrinceSS to do it and confirm my idea was a good one!! Thanks Jam Master Jen!!

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    55. I just bought a roll of pain white contact paper since I wanted a clean look, but now discover that it does not cover the advertising on the box. I do not want a pattern or another color, any ides on what I should do, maybe I will need to paint the box first?

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      1. Painting is a great option! If you already have white paint on hand, it would be less expensive to do that than two coats of the contact paper.

        Best of luck to you!
        Jen

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    56. I adore this! I just stumbled across your blog recently and have been reading many sections and also doing a little organizing as well. I actually have a question in regards to the adorable clock, lol, do you recall where you got it? I adore it!

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