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Most decorative boxes that you buy come lined or cushioned so that delicate contents (such as glass) won’t get scratched by the box’s interior surface. But what if you make your own boxes? Shouldn’t they be lined too?

Here’s the method that I use for a simple, fitted box lining.

Supplies:

Pencil or Pen

Scissors

Measuring Tape or string for measuring

Spray Glue, or glue and brush

Scrap Paper larger than your box

Felt

Pins (optional)

1. Lay the scrap paper on a flat surface.

2. Place the lid of the box on the scrap paper and hold it still with one hand.

3. With the other hand, use the pencil or pen to trace as closely to the lid as possible.

4. Use the scissors to cut the lid shape out of the scrap paper, cutting slightly INSIDE the line.

5. Repeat 1-4 using the box itself.

6. Wrap measuring tape or string around the box. Cut string to length or write the length on a piece of scrap paper. Measure the height of the box from the inside. You may repeat this step for the lid if you wish, but be careful that the lid will still close when you’re finished as most lids are made to fit tightly to the box.

7. Cut a piece of scrap paper to fit along the inside wall of the box.

8. Lay the pieces of scrap paper inside the box and lid to make certain they’re the correct size. Adjust where necessary.

9. Use the scrap paper as patterns or templates to cut the felt. It will work better if you pin the paper to the felt, but it should work fine without pinning it.

10. Lay the felt pieces in the box and lid where they’re supposed to go to make certain that they fit properly.

11. Remove felt from box and lid and lay on more scrap paper. Spray glue to the back of the felt (if not using spray glue, spread the glue directly on the box and lid with the brush).

12. Quickly place felt in place and smooth to the edges before glue dries.

 Follow the directions on the glue bottle/can to make certain that it’s thoroughly dry before you try to close the lid or place anything in the box.

I love pens.  I mean, really, you set me down in the middle of an office supply store and I’ll be happy for hours just looking at the pens, notebooks, and post-its.  I’m what you might call obsessive. 

I like my pens to have a bit of personality, but I also go through them really quickly so the only options to me are: pricey pens with refills, or make my own.  Yarn pens are particularly nice because in addition to being attractive, easy to make, and comfortable to write with, they’re dirt cheap to make given the price of the materials!

Supplies:

Pen/s

Charm

Yarn

Craft double stick tapeScissorsElmer’s or other craft glue 

1. Slide charm onto the end of the yarn. Tie this end into a loop with the charm in the center and 1/2-1″ of yarn extending from the knot.

2. Cover pen shaft in double stick tape. It’s better to overlap with tape than to leave spaces. Make certain to cover the end of the pen. Remove protective cover from tape.

3. Set the knot of yarn (bottom of the loop) into the center of the end of the pen. Press knot tightly against the tape and drape yarn end straight down pen shaft. Press tightly onto tape.

4. Working in spirals, wrap the long end of the yarn around the pen, starting at the knot, until entire pen shaft is covered.

5. Cut yarn just past the final wrap. Put a drop of glue on your finger and smooth yarn end against the bottom yarn wraps. The glue helps to prevent the yarn from unraveling.

Alternative- You can make the loop first, then add a charm using a split ring.