Pretty and Practical Storage by Anne Redfern

Welcome to my Guest designer post for this week and thanks for your visit and comments last week!

Who doesn't need some storage to house those wonderful new Christmas goodies?  I decided to create some pretty storage for my new Dina Wakley paints.

This is one of That's Crafty's MDF Stackable Storage Boxes, Size 6, it is 12" long and nearly 7" tall and holds 20 - 2oz Dina Wakley Heavy Body paint tubes. I don't have that many yet but I do have lots of 1 oz bottles and I managed to fit in those too.

I will be honest, it takes a little while to build, paint and decorate but the result is just so worthwhile!
As well as the storage box I used some gorgeous 13arts papers (Aqua Flora) and Dina Wakley Media Heavy Body Acrylic paint in black.

Covering a storage box is also a great way to use up some of those design papers you have had in your stash for years, or you could use different mixed media techniques to cover the whole box, the choice is yours.

There are full instructions with each kit. I painted all of the pieces (insides only) with the black paint.  There is an underneath part to the box and I gave this a light wash of Gesso as I wanted it to have a slight contrast in colour. I used Tacky glue to construct the box, following the instructions.

Note: You can decorate the box before construction, but my preference when using design paper is to decorate after construction.



I cut the paper slightly larger than the piece to be covered, glue it down and let it dry. Doing it this way avoids the need to carefully measure each piece of paper! Use a sanding block to gently sand around all of the edges to give a beautiful neat finish. Hold the block at a slight angle and sand in a downward action.

This stage takes the longest and does create some dust. Be sure to wear a mask if you are doing this indoors. You can, of course, use a craft knife to trim the edges and then sand to finish, it would work equally well.

Once the box was fully covered, and dry, I gave the whole box, inside and out, two coats of DecoArt Media Multi Matte Medium, to seal the papers and give a professional finish.

Here are some views of the completed box, I love how the papers all co-ordinate so beautifully. I did intend to add some stencilling but I love the papers just as they are.

Finally, a view of the inside of the box with my paints inside.

Since the different box sizes are stackable and I have some of the beautiful papers left I will definitely be making more of these, they will certainly brighten up my craft room!

That's Crafty! Products Used:
That's Crafty! Surfaces MDF Stackable Storage Box 6
13arts Scrapbook Papers - Aqua Flora
Dina Wakley Media Heavy Body Acrylic Paint - Black
Wet Glue such as Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
DecoArt Media Matte Medium
Sanding Block - I used a Tim Holtz one but any medium grade sandpaper will work

Thanks so much for your visit, I hope to see again next Monday.

Crafty Wishes,  Anne  x