designer
Bettina Pedersen
cost
Free
time
15 minutes per box
difficulty
★★★★
materials
Rectangular or round cardboard boxes
Maps (Bettina’s included maps of Denmark and Europe from an outdated school atlas, a Miami street map, and a tourist map from Africa)
Scissors
Pencil
Brush
Mod Podge
instructions for rectangular boxes
1 Measure the perimeter of the box bottom and the box height (without lid). Add ½ inch to the perimeter and 1¼ inches to the height. Cut a piece of map with these dimensions.
2 Brush an even layer of Mod Podge on the back of the map and wrap it around the box sides so there is ⅝ inch extra at top and bottom.
3 Miter the corners and fold the ⅝ inch of extra paper over the top edge and onto the bottom and glue to secure.
4 Measure the height of the box lid. Place the box lid over the image chosen for the top and trace around it with a pencil. On each side of the resulting rectangle, add the height of the box lid, plus ½ inch. Cut out the piece of map.
5 Brush an even layer of Mod Podge on the rectangle you drew on the map and attach it to the top of the box. Add glue to the edges of the map and wrap the box top like a present. Miter the corners and fold the ½ inch of extra paper over the top edge of the lid.
instructions for rounded boxes
1 Measure the circumference of the box bottom and the box height (without lid). Add ½ inch to the circumference and 1¼ inches to the height. Cut a piece of map with these dimensions.
2 Brush an even layer of Mod Podge on the back of the map and wrap it around the box so there is ⅝ inch extra at top and bottom.
3 Cut slits ½ inch apart all the way around both top and bottom. Fold these pieces over the top edge and onto the bottom and glue them to secure.
4 Place the lid over the image chosen for the top and trace around it with a pencil. Cut out the circle just inside the traced outline.
5 Cut a piece for the edge of the lid in the same way as for the box bottom. Cut slits, fold, and glue in the same way. Finish by gluing the round motif on top.
For those of us with limited access to nature, finding ways to bring the outdoors in can be crucial. Amy Merrick decided to press and frame some simple vines and ferns, found in an abandoned lot in her neighborhood, to create the look and feel of fancy botanical prints. Using heavy books to press the specimens flat, Amy used found frames and kraft paper to create an antique look that cost less than $25.
designer
Amy Merrick
cost
$20
time
1 week
difficulty
★★★★
materials
Several fronds from ferns or other flat-leafed plants
Frame
Scissors or knife
A large pile of heavy books, including a phonebook
Rubber cement
Kraft or decorative paper
instructions
1 Locate and clip a few different varieties of fern fronds or other flat-leafed plants and bring them home. These can be from your garden or something found growing in between sidewalk cracks!
2 Hold each frond or stem against the background of its frame and trim the specimen, stripping some of the leaves to fit, if necessary. Decide on the basic layout of your specimens. Should they curl to the right or left?
3 Place each frond vertically or diagonally between the pages of a heavy phone book. Warning: Now is not the time to get out your lovely art book collection, as this process will leave the pages bumpy. It’s best to use a book you don’t mind getting a little messy! Once your specimens are in place, lay several heavy books on top of the phone book and leave alone for a week.
4 When dry, add a few small dabs of rubber cement to the back of each stem or frond, attach them to the decorative paper, and place the specimens in the frames.
Few memories of mine are as vivid as when I would stick clover between book pages as a child. I loved finding it months, even years, later—flattened and perfectly preserved in time. Design*Sponge editor Amy Merrick created this do-it-yourself flower press as a way to preserve the art of pressed flowers without leaving stains on your favorite book pages. Whether you’re saving a flower from your wedding or a buttercup that reminds you of summer picnics, this easy press will make framed botanicals a quick and simple process.
designer
Amy Merrick
cost
$20
time
2 hours
difficulty
★★★★
materials
2 rectangular wooden boards, about 6 x 12 inches
Measuring tape or ruler
Power drill and ⅜-inch drill bit
Several cardboard boxes
Watercolor paper (to absorb moisture during pressing)
4 bolts and 4 nuts
instructions
1 Measure a 1-inch square at each corner of each board and drill a hole at the interior corner of each square. Corresponding holes need to line up exactly when the boards are placed on top of each other.
2 Make a template for the sandwiched layers that will separate your flowers, ½ inch smaller on all sides than the measurements of the wooden boards. Cut the corners of the template at a 45-degree angle to accommodate the bolt holes. Cut out 5 sheets of cardboard and 4 sheets of watercolor paper in this shape.
3 Alternate cardboard and watercolor paper in a pile and sandwich the stack between the two wooden boards. Line up the holes and insert the bolts into each corner. Screw on the nuts to tighten.
4 Decorate the cover, if desired. Now let’s all get out and collect some flowers to press!
NOTE: To press your flowers, place them in between the watercolor paper (which has cardboard above and below it) and screw the press tightly into place. Set aside for at least two days, then unscrew to reveal your pressed flowers.
Every summer a new battle wages between backyard parties and the seasonal mosquito invasion. Kate decided to take matters into her own hands by creating citronella candles at home. Using inexpensive tin cans as decorative holders, Kate used citronella from her local health food store and a mix of old wax candles and crayons to create a custom candle that will keep the bugs at bay when the weather gets warmer.
designer
Kate Pruitt
cost
$25
time
1–2 hours
difficulty
★★★★
materials
Old pickle or jam jars or tin cans
Container for melting wax (a saucepan with another heat-safe container inside will be fine, or you can purchase wax containers at a craft store)
Wicks (available at craft stores)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Thermometer
Old wax candles, or any type of safely meltable wax
Crayons (optional, for color)
Stir stick or spoon
Citronella oil (available at health food stores, online, and at some specialty hardware stores)
instructions
1 Clean out your jars and tin cans. Dry completely.
2 Place a pot with 2 inches of water in it on the stove over low heat, and place the wax-melting container in the water.
3 While the water is heating, attach the wick bases to the bottom center of the jars and tins with a dab of hot glue.
4 When the water is 140 degrees, add the wax and crayons to the melting container. Stir every once in a while as it starts to melt. When all the wax is melted to an even liquid (it will be the consistency of olive oil), add a few drops of citronella oil and stir (2 or 3 drops of oil for every 8 ounces of wax). Then remove the melting container from the water and pour the wax into your containers, leaving about ½ inch of wick exposed. Let cool.
Tip
If you want to give the jar candles as a gift, cover the lid of the jar with some pretty fabric and screw it back onto the jar. Wrap the tin can candles with a little kitchen twine and finish with a bow.
