As my mother tried clearing out some old electronics in the office this morning, a slew of cards that she has in a messy pile fell all over the floor. IDEA! I had packaged a gift to my dad in a big cereal box from Costco which has thicker cardboard than regular cereal boxes, and is a nice big size. I also appreciated the confusion on my dads face as he unwrapped it, of why I had given him cereal for Christmas, then someone told him to look inside the box (for a spring coat which was the actual gift). Anyways, the box held yet a third life of storing this messy stack of birthday and Christmas cards.
I originally thought to use the bottom of the box only, but after I cut it, I realized both ends of the box could be used. I used an exacto and a ruler to cut it apart. I thought about using scrapbook paper to cover the box, but it would have a lot of seams. I thought about painting the outside, but I did not have my craft paints here, so I dug around the craft closet at my parents to find some wrapping paper that I had saved about 15 years ago off a gift that I had received, but I loved the paper so much, I knew there was a future use for it, and me, the pack rat, stored it for ALL that time.
I just had enough of the paper to do the outside. Otherwise I may have wrapped around the inside edges too. I spread white glue thinly all over the box, then laid the box onto the paper, and decoupaged the wrapping paper on. I trimmed the edges, and here it is. Cards are no longer in danger of sliding off the table all over the floor (or my mother swearing as she realizes the mess she just made!), and they are easy to flip through to find the perfect card for someones birthday. I was impressed the cereal box was the perfect width for these cards. I go through a lot of cereal (my other addiction) so I will be making a lot of these storage containers!
I am always looking for good ways to store cards, great idea and nice to know that is the perfect size.