Christmas Countdown Project #8

Question: What does every woman want at the holiday time?

Answer: Not a giftwrapped visit from George Clooney... though that would be nice... No, she wants MORE TIME! She wants an ORGANIZED HOLIDAY! She wants to RELAX AND ENJOY!

Now, I can't give you more than 24 hours in the day, and I can't give you George. But I can give you a little

HANDY-DANDY HOLIDAY ORGANIZER!

(otherwise known as Christmas Countdown Project #8)

Inside this little box, you can keep track of all the comings and goings of your holiday season... presents to buy, cards to send, shopping, receipts, and thank-yous...

And the best part is, you can even adhere a photo of George to the inside cover, and no one will be the wiser (wink, wink)!

Supplies:

-Ready-to-paint wooden recipe box (I got mine from the craft store for around $2 on sale)

-Acrylic paints in your choice of colors (I used Making Memories Paper Bag and Delta gold metallic paint from the craft store)

-Foam brushes

-Sandpaper

-Scallop scissors (of course)

-Seasonal patterned paper, letter stickers, and tags (I used Paper Salon's Christmas line)

-Seasonal ribbon and epoxy stickers (I used Making Memories)

-Other embellishments (I used Heidi Swapp bling and Stickles from Ranger)

-File tab punch (I used McGill)

-Paper cutter

-Adhesive (I used my Xyron)

-Ink for distressing (I used Ranger)

-Hairdryer or craft heat gun in case you are impatient (we don't know anyone like that, now do we??)

1. Sand rough edges of box (I tried to skip this step as I am a great believer in not doing the things that do not show... but I soon regretted it as I almost sliced my finger on the rough inside edges. So trust me, just do it now and get it out of the way).

2. Paint the outside with a coat of the gold paint. To keep the paint from sealing the box shut, I have developed this patented "box-drying-propping-thingy" mechanism, demonstrated above. I hold the rights, but you may use it for your personal use (non-commerical usage only, all rights reserved).

3. After the paint has dried, coat with a second "loose" coat of the Paper Bag color. Obviously, I was going for the distressed look here. I am often distressed, and figured that something pre-worn would fit right into our home decor.

4. Once the second coat has dried, begin embellishing the box.  I used the patterned paper to cut strips for each side, trimmed with the scalloped scissors (of course), and inked the edges. I ran each through my Xyron sticker maker (with permanent adhesive) and adhered to the sides. Please note how I carefully lined up the bottom sticker with the top so the colors were the same order (I may be impatient, but I'm still a perfectionist!).

5. I made other embellishments like this one. I took a cardstock sticker from the Paper Salon set and placed a Making Memories epoxy sticker in the middle. Then I double-mounted the sticker on chipboard for stability and inked the edges, then adhered to the center front of the box.

 

6. Other embellishments:  I also added MM ribbon around the top and bling to jazz things up (Yes, it was a pain in the booty. Yes, it did fall off. Let's not talk about that. I prefer to keep things happy). 

7. Spell out "Naughty or nice?" on the lid using letter stickers (or cuneiform, if you are Etta). Add Stickles glitter in strategic places. (Other possible phrases I was considering: Ho Ho Ho with snowflakes for the O's, Santa Please Stop Here, or the generic, Merry Christmas).

8. While the whole shebang is drying, create the divider cards for inside the box. cut 4x6" cards from a selection of cheery seasonal patterned paper. If the PP is too thin, you may need to adhere it to chipboard or blank index cards.

9. Using pre-made file tabs or a punch, create tabs and adhere to your divider cards. Label as desired. Mine read: Cards, Gifts, Cookies, Reciepts, Shopping, Thank Yous. Some will have addresses tucked in behind them, some will have shopping lists, recipes, etc. Use your imagination! You might have a category for sizes, for "never again" gifts, and for people who deserve coal (I know a few of those).

10. Sit back and enjoy your stress-free holiday season. Tell Georgie I said hi if you see him.

Comments

[Megan]

I wanted to make one of these last year, but never got around to it. You're directions are so simple that I'm going to give it a try.

[Rebecca]

I have a system like this in place but it's all in a binder. I like this better. Way cuter!

[Robyn]

thanks for sharing all these ideas! I've always used a binder too and it was plain. LOL I think I'll give this a try. :)

[Nicole]

Sweet crafty idea and hilarious instructions :)

[Kelly Jo]

This is a Great idea and I LOVE your instructions! =) TFS!

[Ami D.]

What am I doing wrong? I cannot get to #23 podcast!!!

[melita]

another adorable project Lain! Now if I could just get it done before Christmas...

[Lela]

I love your projects but most of all I love your humor. Thanks for sharing!

[Debbie]

This project is fabulous! I plan to make one to keep me organized this year. Thank you for the clear directions and photos. This is also a great way to use up some of my many Christmas supplies.

[Elaine]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these fun little projects! Your blog is the best that I've been to in many weeks!!! Thanks so much for all of the fun and inspiring projects, and your witty humor as well!! I'd like to link back to your blog if that is ok with you....will you let me know? Thanks much! Scrap Happy is a great place!!!
Elaine
eyp963@msn.com

[Joni]

I will probably make this and it will be very cute in my Mary Englebreit kind of way, but Will I actually do all the things I need to do before Christmas? More fun to make this that work...time will tell.