DIY Life

These handy storage containers are an interesting twist on the pencil case, making them a great place to store craft or school supplies. My youngest son suggested that it would also be good for collecting rocks. Really, it's a convenient carrying case for storage or collecting of any kind (and not just kids' stuff either!). While the little ones are making collection containers and pencil cases, you can be designing your own for use as a gift box.

Materials

• Tall chip container
• Plain 8 1/2 x 11 paper
• Scrapbook paper
• Glue
  
• Push pin paper fasteners
• Ribbon
• Embellishments of choice

Depending on how you plan to use them, or who gets to be the artistic director (you, or your kiddie crafter) you'll end up with very different results. Have a look through the gallery to see how ours turned out. Follow me through the break for step by step instructions.


Your functional options are endless with these storage containers. The way you decorate them and how you use them can take whatever form you choose. Here's how to get the basic design:

1. Glue a sheet of paper covering the entire container. Make sure that the paper you choose is thick enough to cover the chip branding on the container. An 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper will cover it without any cutting.
   
   
2. Using scrapbook paper or your child's art, cut a strip and glue it on top of the plain paper.
   
   
3. Decorate the container. Let your children decorate with stickers and paint, or add your own carefully placed labels and embellishments.
   
   
4. Attach the ribbon to make a handle. You may need to puncture a hole with a pen to get things started, then poke the fastener through the ribbon and hole, securing it on the inside.
   
   
5. Use your new containers. The secure handle make these easy to take along on any trip, collecting rocks, seashells or other outdoor treasures. These would also make a great place to store craft buttons, or other little items; decorate them in themed scrapbook paper and line your shelf with original storage containers.
   

So what should you do now? Run out and buy chips of course! you can enjoy them guilt-free in the name of a recycled storage container.

[via: Better Homes and Gardens. 501 Fun-to-Make Family Crafts, print copy]