We don't own any power tools other than an electric drill and a Mouse sander. My husband doesn't see a need for anything more. I wanted to make some "wood crates" for storage in our office and had to come up with a way to do it without a power saw. I ended up using a couple packages of wood shims, two sturdy baby wipes boxes, hot glue, and some paint.
Basically, I measured and cut the wood shims with a hack saw (well I made my husband cut), and hot glued them to the boxes. I started with the corners and evenly spaced the rest of the shims in between. I applied a coat of brown spray paint to the exterior, making sure to get in the crevices to cover any exposed printing on the boxes. After drying, I painted the individual shims in aqua, peach, coral, and cream acrylic. I distressed the shims with my sander, and wiped walnut color stain on the bare spots to give the wood an aged look.
I will say, after cutting seventy-two wood shims with a hack saw, my husband may just be ready to buy a table saw. Maybe I should come up with a few more projects that require him to cut wood by hand, hee hee.
What do you think? In what ways have you been resourceful when you did not own the necessary tools and supplies?
Some projects I've had the wood cut at Lowes. The guys are good about it and I've never been charged even tho there's a "2 cuts free" rule.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's that free cutting that keeps me coming back to Lowes lumber dept too!
ReplyDeleteNow....that is darn cute! Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteReally cute idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I just learned what shims are when I was looking for a handle for some signs ( http://www.helbyshatch.com/2012/06/next-in-line-please-89-of-365.html )
ReplyDeleteBut I may have to try this too. Shims are pretty cheap so this would be a great low cost project!
what a fantastic project!
ReplyDeletemy kind of project! anything that involves hot glue, cardboard boxes and wood shims!
ReplyDeleteThis is AWESOME!!!!! Gotta make some!!! Love the different colors too!!
ReplyDeleteYou are planning on sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality.. right? Please :)
Linked!
DeleteThanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality! :)
DeleteThat is brilliant! They look great!
ReplyDeleteCool idea to use shims to decorate your box! I know we have a ton of those left over from installing our new doors.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea and super cute too!
ReplyDelete♥ Terrie ♥
Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts - you were featured today!!
ReplyDelete--Mandy, www.SugarBeeCrafts.com
Thank you for the feature!!!!
DeleteVery clever!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I'm sure you could come up with a few more things that require more toys....ummm tools :o)
ReplyDeleteI like your tactics, lol. The boxes turned out great. Really like the distressed look. Thanks so much for sharing at Etcetorize this week!
ReplyDeleteI love them!! Fantastic job. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from $20 Below Thursday. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-5.html Wishing you a grand week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteLinked!
DeleteSuper duper cute!
ReplyDeleteThese crates are brilliant! What a way to Upcycle! I don't have major power tools either, saws kind of scare me, so I really appreciate this tut ;)
ReplyDeletethis is great. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteMaria Crafty Chic
Shims - Nice idea
ReplyDeleteJoAnn
Awesome idea! Love the colors you chose! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pin!
DeletePopping in from Tatertots & Jello linky party...and WOW...what a great idea!!! I have a gazillion old diaper boxes that I've been saving to glue burlap on for a pantry makeover, but I am loving the faux wood crate idea! I'm pinning you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pin!
DeleteFABOULOUS idea!! Just pinned :) I really may have to try this... if I can get someone else to cut the wood shims, haha!
ReplyDeleteNice work! They turned out great!
ReplyDeleteI love your clever shim crate project! Now I'm thinking I can make a few instead of buying surprisingly costly baskets for my living room. And if I use the Elmer's glue crackle finish in blue or turquoise, I bet they would look great. Thanks for the idea! I blogged about the cheap crackle paint with Elmer's glue here....
ReplyDeletehttp://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2010/05/crackle-finish-with-elmers-glue.html
Can't wait to see your crates with the crackle finish!
DeleteI give you credit for cutting all of those by hand! You did a great job and I love the end result! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally love this! Would be perfect in my kitchen to hold my rolling pin collection! And wow, cutting all of those by hand - KUDOS!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and super simple! Good luck with adding to your power tool stash!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteOh wow this is adorable!!!! What a cute way to turn an ordinary box into something cute!!!! LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteI love these...the colors, the idea...everything! Thank you so much for sharing it over at the Pinworthy Projects Party last week. I'm featuring this tomorrow. I hope you will stop by and check it out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feature!
DeleteFeaturing YOU today! Thanks for linking up to GSC. :)
ReplyDeleteGinger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/07/take-look-at-you-my-favorites_19.html
Thank you!!!!
DeleteLove these!! So cool!! :) Have a happy weekend! xo HOlly
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing with us at Someday Crafts! I will be featuring your project tomorrow on our blog. Please stop back in and grab a button for your blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!!
Deletelol, normally guys don't need an excuse to buy tools so a little more nudging and your guy might see the need for more than just a table saw. Love the boxes. Your paint job is dead on!
ReplyDelete