Quickies: Trinket Box & Small Vase

Still catching up on completed past projects. Here are a couple that don't take up a huge amount of your time. Perfect for those moods when you just don't want to spend the day crafting.

In case you're curious, the doily appearing in these project phots is the Gift Doily made in Aunt Lydia's size 10 thread in white and ocean. You'll find the link to the pattern under Crochet Freebies in the sidebar.

Quickie #1: Trinket Box

What you need for this project:

• 1 small wood box with lid
• Scrap piece of scrapbooking paper
• Chalk paint in coordinating color
• Matte Finish Mod Podge
• Sandpaper
• Scissors
• Paint brush

I had purchased a small item as a Christmas gift (yes, I'm already there) and didn't want to put it into a plain gift box. I found small wood boxes at Dollar Tree and decided it would do with a touch here and there. After removing the plastic wrapping, I saw that the wood was quite rough in spots. What do you want for $1 anyway? I remedied that by taking the sandpaper to it and that took care of it. There. Smooth and good to go.

STEP 1: APPLY PAPER

Cut a strip of scrapbooking paper to go around the bottom of the box, ensuring the paper will extend slightly beyond the top and bottom edges. Apply a coat of Mod Podge all around the sides. Starting in the back, apply paper making sure it extends beyond the top and bottom edges. Apply Mod Podge to the inside of the paper to glue it down at the seam. Finish by applying another coat of Mod Podge all round covering the paper entirely. Set aside to dry.

STEP 2: PAINT LID

Apply 1-2 coats to the lid, allowing to dry completely between coats. Set aside to dry.

STEP 3: FINISH BOX BOTTOM

Holding bottom edge of box toward you, sand along edges to remove excess paper. Not only will this give you a clean edge, it's a cool way to avoid having to cut your paper exactly to size. No need to fret about that from now on!

STEP 4: FINISH LID

You can either leave the lid painted as-is or Mod Podge a piece of scrapbooking paper to the top as I did. Up to you. In hindsight, I think I would have just left the lid painted. Again, up to you. Either way, finish off with a coat of Mod Podge so the finish on both pieces is the same. Let dry.

DONE!

If you're using the box as a gift box, you can wrap twine or ribbon around the box. Otherwise, your box is ready to store your favorite trinkets.

TOTAL PROJECT COST - $1 for the box. I had everything else.

Quickie #2: Small Vase

Yes, it says "Monkey Farts".
And no, I don't know what monkey farts smell like (rotten bananas maybe?),
so I have no way of knowing if the smell is accurate.

What you'll need for this project:

• 1 set Dollar Tree salt and pepper shakers
• Chalk paint in desired color
• Wax
• Small amount of jute twine or ribbon
• Scrap pieces of greenery or florals
• Paint brush
• Sand paper
• Scissors

Most of us have collections of some sort. Collections can get boring to look at if all you have are different styles of the same thing displayed. To make your collections more interesting to look at, you need to inject other items into the vignette. This sweet little vase can definitely fit that bill. And since the shakers come in a set, you can make 2!

You should know the routine by now, but here we go:

STEP 1: PREPARE BOTTLE

Wash and dry thoroughly. Toss the lids or save them for some other project. You never know.

STEP 2: PAINT BOTTLE

Apply 1-2 coats of paint, as needed for coverage, allowing to dry between coats. End with applying a coat of wax. Allow to dry overnight, then sand raised edges to distress.

STEP 3: FINISH

Wrap some jute twine or ribbon around base of threaded area of bottle and tie with a square knot. Insert pieces of greenery and flowers.

DONE!

Your sweet little vase is ready for display.

TOTAL PROJECT COST - $1 for the salt and pepper shakers. I had everything else.

And there you go. Have a wonderful Sunday!