Darcy Wilkinson #3 Tissue Tape Part 2 ....

Tissue Tape Storage Continued ....

"How did you like the tapes from yesterday, did you make some? I bet you now have colourful spools rolling all over the place, so lets make a storage box for them".

I took a delivery box and removed one side. I then cut some really stiff card and glued it to the insides to strengthen the box sides.

Now to decorate it. My inspiration comes from the old boxes and crates that you might find in an old shed. They are a bit grungy and have paint rings on them and old labels. So this is what I set about recreating.

I laid out 4 pieces of paper, dabbed on some French Roast and Taupe.

I  used a scrapper to drag the paint across the paper. My scrapers are metal, but an old credit card will work just the same.

I then used a brayer to add some Stone Fresco Paint. When brayering on a layer of paint it is very important that the previous layer is completely dry, other wise the brayer will lift off the paint and the surface of the paper too.

Next I got to play with a new tool. I wanted speckles of paint, and in the past I have used 2 old toothbrushes to create the effect. I recently saw this Speckling Brush, and ordered one to try. OMG so much splattery fun was had. I 'speckled' with Snowflake Mermaid and Bora Bora.

Next I added some stripes of French Roast. I painted a wide layer, then wiped it back with a baby wipe, then painted a skinny line on top in the middle. This gives us the effect of gaps between the slats of the crate.

  
I then added paint rings using Baltic Blue and Squid Ink, using a lid from an old jar.

I just love this shabby look.

I used my painted sheets to cover the inside and outside of the box. Then as there were a few strips left over, I decided to make a smaller box and cover that too.

This smaller box, which is to become a drawer... needs a handle.

I took an old drinks can, cut it open...carefully, this will have very sharp edges...

From the metal I cut a handle using PaperArtsy Die, Hardware #1

I didn't want my metal to be quite so shiny silver, so I tarnished it. The easiest way to do this is to hold it over a naked flame. Be VERY careful, use appropriate tongs to hold the metal and do not touch it with your fingers. I have a gas hob, so I switch that on and dipped the metal into the flame, literally for just 2-3 seconds.

This is the result, you can see the difference from the original colour.

I attached my handle with a couple of chunky brads.

   
Here is the covered box and drawer in place.

It needed a little something more, so I stamped some words from HPXT03 and stencilled some lines around them to make them look like old labels. I deliberately did not ink up the whole stamp as I wanted them to look faded and worn away.

I bought some lengths of wooden dowelling . Make sure you take along your spools when you buy the dowelling, it comes in different widths. My DIY store only had 6mm which was too big for the holes in the spools, but my Hobby shop had some 4mm dowels. I also bought some end pieces.

I used a baby wipe to swipe some French Roast onto the wood, this is perfect as it looks more like a wood stain than a solid colour.

To brighten things up I used Bora Bora, Inky Pool and French Roast on the end pieces. Rub on and wipe off, repeat and repeat, building up the layers.

Now to put it all together. Measure your spools, and then make holes in the sides of the box. Make sure there is enough space between each row so that the spools will turn freely.

Make sure your rods have an extra bit outside the box for the end pieces to go onto.

Now start to thread the spools onto the rods and push them into place. Once all your rods are in place you can glue on the blue end pieces.

Use the drawer for leftover bits of tape that are too short to go on spools, or keep your bought tapes in there.

Here we are all done. You can have the box free standing or fix it to a wall. As it is only cardboard you cannot attach screws to it, but it will hang very effectively if you use 'no more nails' adhesive.

Over to you, I hope you feel inspired to make a box of pretty tapes to use on all your other projects.

Why not get together with friends and swap lengths of decorated tape to increase your stash. Don't forget, if you want to join in with any of my challenges, simply click HERE to upload your projects.

Leandra Says: That is too funny! I want one on my wall, gotta get an elf to do this for PA HQ ASAP! We might have an elf tape competition. LOL This idea could be adapted to all sorts!

Gillian Says: Darcy you rock .... this is such a genius idea. Visually it looks stunning and would grace any craft space. Love it.