Summertime Crafts

[Editor's Note:  For those of you who are reading this post in August, this is also a great idea for a back to school project!]

Yea, it's summertime!   For many kids, summer means camp fun.  Whether your children attend a sleepover camp, day camp, or even set up tents in your own backyard, it's always good to change up the routine and get into the summer groove.  Today I'm sharing an E-Z tutorial to alter a plastic pencil box into a surprise package. Fill it with camp "must haves," and sneak it into your child's duffel bag before he or she goes off to camp. 

Start with a plain plastic pencil box.  Staples usually carries these in their dollar bins.  Sometimes you can find them at dollar stores.  And they come in a variety of colors.

Mundane pencil box screaming for embellishments

Gather an assortment of colorful paper and coordinating ribbon, rub-ons, stickers, buttons, a metal label holder, and anything else you would like to use to embellish the box.

Ribbon, rub-ons, rhinestones, buttons, etc.

Measure the front of your box.  This box measures 7-3/4" x 2-7/8".  Cut two pieces of coordinating paper using your measurements.  Edge the paper with liquid chalk ink.  Punch a hole in one piece of your cut papers to make room for the snap closure.

A little edging to emphasize the border

Using a decoupage medium such as Mod Podge, coat the top of the box and the back side of the paper, and adhere paper to box. Smooth out any bubbles. When dry, apply a top coat to seal the paper.  This will keep the paper from tearing and provide a water-resistant surface.

I embellished one side of the box with a rub-on that reads, "Life's Better with Chocolate."

"Life's Better with Chocolate"

 Slide out the inside tray, and podge the coordinating piece of paper to it.

Mod Podge the interior

Now add embellishments to the front top of the pencil box. I added ribbon, buttons, and a metal label holder.  Then I personalized the box using my vintage Dymo label maker.   I also glued a flower button to the top of the snap closure.

When completely dry, add your "ingredients."  Suggestions:  a pack of gum, band-aids, chap stick, mini suntan lotion, postage stamps, playing cards, and a mini note from home!  The note can be folded into a business card-sized envelope, which fits perfectly inside the box.

And I know I just said it was the beginning of summer.  However, this cute little box can easily be adapted for a back-to-school gift.  Add new pencils, pens, erasers, sharpener, and a 6" ruler for a great first day of school surprise.  Taking it one step further, I created a coordinating note holder (from a wooden clothespin) and a tile coaster to hold a water bottle in place. There's something about a coordinating ensemble that just oozes fun!    

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