Hanging File Boxes Repurposed from Cardboard Crates

I have a ton  had a ton of these cardboard crates from my food storage in my basement (I threw a bunch away because I couldn't figure out what to do with them).  Then I was unloading a case of green beans and thought, "there has got to be something useful I can make with these."  These fabulous and very cute hanging file boxes were the finished product.  I LOVE THEM (and am so wishing I hadn't thrown away at least a dozen and a half of these a few months ago).
Here's what you need to make these:
2 cardboard crates per 1 hanging file box (make sure they are the same size or if you are going to make a matching set them make sure you are using all the same sizes of boxes.  These are not all created equal so pay close attention.)
Spray adhesive
Black spray paint (or whatever color you want.  Black is nice because it has good coverage)
Black masking tape (I found mine at Walmart but that was years ago-not sure where to still find it.  I have the standard 3/4" width of masking tape but actually a bit wider would be easier).
Decorative paper (2 12x12 sheets per hanging file)
Ribbon
To begin find your matching boxes.

You want one to be able to fit inside the other like this (it should be able to stick out at an angle).

The bottoms should fit together perfectly then pull the inside box out at an angle (how much really depends on you.  The part where the boxes no longer overlap but there is a space, is where you are going to cut the front (inside) box. 

My front box (the one that fits inside) I cut 6 1/2" from the end that fits inside the other box.

On the outer box the only pieces I am going to cut off are on the sides above my mark (which is where the boxes overlap) which I made at 6 5/8" and off the top (which will create a flat back piece).

Notice my mark, then I have the sides above that mark and the top of the box to cut off.

It should look like this.

So here are my two pieces now.

When I put them back together it should look like this:

Now I spray painted both pieces.  I didn't worry as much about the part that would be inside the angled piece or the back of the folder.  Let that dry.

Next I taped off both of the sides of the front box piece at an angle from the back edge to the front.  I did this because this is the part that will be exposed once these are put together and I don't want sticky spray adhesive on those parts.  Now spray the bottom and untaped sides of this piece with spray adhesive.

Reassemble the hanging file and hold the sides in place with an extra piece of tape and I used a clothes pin as well.  I left it like this overnight, though spray adhesive works quite quickly.  I did find the clothes pins to be very handy to hold the top of the sides while they dried.

Here is what it looks like when it was done drying.

Now I taped all the cut edges with black masking tape.  I think this gives it a finished look.  I also taped along the sides where the two pieces overlap.  I actually used two pieces on each side because it wasn't as wide as I wanted it to be.

You can't hardly tell that it is there.  I like how the masking tape blends in really well.

Finally I was able to decorate them.  I cut pieces of scrapbook paper to cover the front and the inside of the file.  I attached them with doublesided tape (because I use it for everything).  I cut the paper so that there would be an 1/8" of the black still showing around all of the sides.

Finally for the hanging ribbon.  Measure in from each side 3".

Punch a hole using a hole punch. (can you see the arrows pointing to the holes?)  I went down as far as my punch would reach.

Thread a piece of ribbon through from the front. 

Tie it together in a loose knot and you are set.

I decided after the fact to add a label to the front of each one.  I printed these on the computer. 

I think these are my favorite project I have made to date.  Watch out friends and family-everyone might be getting a set (gives me a good excuse to get my food storage more organized).

As seen on:

Make Ahead Monday-Chinese Cabbage Salad

This makeahead is perfect for summer.  I am not a cabbage fan-in fact this is the only way I eat cabbage.  A friend gave my mom this recipe and it has been one of her signature dishes ever since.  It is perfect for any summer meal.  But the best part is that you can totally make this into a make ahead.  Here's what I do.

#1.  I chop up my cabbage, carrots and celery and put those all in a bowl.  This can be refrigerate to use within the next couple of days.

#2.  I mix all my crunchy topping ingredients in a bag that can be sealed and stored.

#3.  I mix up my dressing in a container so that it can be refrigerated. 

Now it can be used two ways.  If you have only a few salad eaters you can just dish up a single portion size of salad, add crunchies and a bit of dressing (saving the rest to use for another meal or tow).  Or you can dress the whole salad but leave off the crunchies and they can just be added to each persons plate.  Or if you don't want to have this as a make ahead just make the salad, dress it and toss in the crunchies (they just won't stay crunchy for very long).

Here's the recipe:

About half a head of cabbage chopped fine (1 bag of coleslaw mix works perfect too).

2-3 carrots shredded

2-3 stocks of celery chopped

Crunchies:

1 pkg Ramen Noodles (chicken flavor-with seasoning packet taken out) crushed

3 cups chow mien noodles

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds (salted)

Dressing:

1/2 cup canola oil

1 seasoning packet from Ramen Noodles

1 tbsp sugar

3 tbsp soy sauce

3 tbsp white vinegar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Introducing "Project Zucchini"

Our garden is beginning to produce zucchini in abundance.  After last years "zucchini fiasco" with 4 ever bearing plants I decided to plant only two this year.  They however are zucchini producing machines.  My husband suggested that we keep track of just how many we get over the summer.  That sparked a fabulous idea for:

This week:

PICKED-9

GAVE AWAY-1

ATE-3

RECIPES-Marinated zuc on the grill and zuc brownies.

ROLLOVER-5

Let the games begin.  (p.s. if you have any fantastic zuc recipes please share them with me.  It is going to be a long summer :)

I love Watermelon T-Shirt

Our little town has a huge watermelon celebration in Sept.  I am getting ready with stuff for my booth.  Here is my latest project.  There are always official Melon Days t-shirts for sale but nothing that fits little kids very well.  Perhaps I can help meet that need.
Let me know if you want one (leave a comment or send an e-mail).  The t-shirts are $5.00.  The sizes available are: 0-12 months (onesies) 18 months-4T (t-shirts)

Clothespin Holder

I am not sure if I am ahead of or behind in the clothesline revolution but I have finally got a clothesline in my backyard and I LOVE IT!!  I wanted to make something that was cute and functional to hold my clothespins.  This project was inspired by Martha Stewart.  She had made a laundry bag similar to this.  Here is how to make the clothespin version.
Materials:
1 embroidery hoop (both pieces).  The size does not really matter (not too big, but big enough to get your hand through it). Mine was 7 1/2"
1 piece of fabric (to figure out how much fabric you will need measure the diameter of the hoop and x that by 3.14  This will give you the length of the fabric).  The width I used was 12". 
1 3x9" strip of fabric
2 sets of snaps

To begin fold the long piece of fabric in half width wise and sew a 1/4 " seam.  Because this is going to be outside I decided to serge all my edges first to prevent unraveling and fraying in the wind.  If you don't do this I would suggest pinking the edges or zig zagging.

On one end sew a basting stitch and gather the end like this:

Now stitch with a regular stitch across this same end to close the end.

On the opposite end, make a small 1/2" hem.  If you have done some treatment to the edge to prevent fraying then just fold once, if not fold twice.  Stitch in place.

Fit the pouch to your hoop.

Tighten the hoop so that both pieces fit snug around the fabric.

Next take your strap piece (3x9") and fold it in half lengthwise.  Sew a 1/4" seam.  Turn this piece right side out and press it so that the seam is in the middle instead of on the edge.

I happen to have had one already done out of a fabric with coordinating colors.  Notice the seam is in the middle.  I think it gives it a cleaner look this way.

Tuck a 1/2" in on both ends of this piece and stitch closed.  Next attach your set of snaps.  I used two snaps for extra durability.  If you don't have these kind of snaps you could use a button or velcro would work probably.  ( I wasn't sure if velcro would hold up with the strong winds we have here).  You can buy a kit to attach these kind of snaps for around $10.00.  They are pretty easy to attach (just follow the directions instead of thinking you can figure it out on your own...I know from experience).

The strap with close like this.

Now put your hoop back on and attach it to your clothesline.  This works perfect.  It slides along the line as you hang or take off clothes.  It stays open so it is easy to get your clothespins out and it doesn't spill (and it has been tested in some strong winds).  Cute and functional-just what I wanted.

Easy Peasy Job Chart for Kids.

I have recently been thinking that it is time for Small Fry to have a few more jobs and I wanted to create an easy, kid friendly job chart for her.  I found this one at Target in the dollar section.  I made some simple job pictures (the jobs are targeted at a 3 year old level).  I printed them out on printable magnet paper but they actually weren't strong enough to hold through the chart so I reinforced them on a sheet of magnet with a sticky back (I ordered that on line a while back but you might be able to find magnet sheets in a office supply store).  These were much stronger.  I made a few extra jobs so that I could change them up from time to time.  I added extra magnet to the back of the chart as it only had one small piece. 

 The idea is-she looks on her chart and sees the jobs and then when she has done one she can put a smiley sun beside it.  At first I told her when they were all done she would have a reward but that actually was causing me more stress than having the chart be helpful.  So now before she can go somewhere or do the next fun thing I remind her she needs to get 3 jobs done, or 4 jobs done, or 2 jobs done (depends on what time of day and what activity) or she will ask if she can have an M&M and I tell her when she has 3 jobs done.  That way I am not stressing over whether or not the jobs are getting done.  It will probably change over time (how I use it) but I like have a visual list of things that she can help with in a place where she can see it.

And to make it even easier for you to make one here is a link to the job's and smiley suns for you to download and print.