I've seen these ALL over the blogland and LOVE them:
(From Rifle Paper Co.)
Here's the specs from the maker's website.
"Our heirloom recipe card boxes are made by local craftsmen from locally salvaged hardwood (trees that were destined for landfills). All of the boxes are unique and hand-crafted during a 3-month-long process (a month for the mill to source the salvaged wood, a month to build in the workman's studio, and a month for the hand-rubbed finish to dry). The lids are then screen printed with two different design options.
Each box is unique and is made from a variety of woods depending on availability. The type of wood used is listed on each box. Our primary woods are Sweet Gum, Magnolia Bay, and Laurel Oak.
We only have a limited number of boxes available on our first run and expect to begin shipping in about 4-6 weeks. We do not expect another batch of boxes to arrive until the Fall.
- Solid wood, hand-crafted boxes
- Size: 7.5"x5.5"x6"
- Includes 12 dividers & 24 recipe cards (4"x6")"
I didn't have the moola to fork over, so I raided my closet and was reminded of this little gem I was saving for a rainy day:
I've had this cigar box sitting in my closet, YAY! I picked it up a couple of years ago at a liquor store that sold cigars. (You can also check out cigar shops and the likes to get yours.) I asked what they did with the boxes when they were done, they said they threw 'em away. AH! I snatched one up and took it home. It's been sitting in my closet since.
The Heirloom Recipe Box retails for $120 and you can get it here. Mine was free. So if you don't want to wait 4-6 weeks and you want to save money, let me take you to my DIY cigar box. Save yourself $100. Sorry Rifle Paper Co., these are tough times, but LOVE your work!
You will need: A wooden cigar box, Goo Gone, Murphy Oil Soap, Old English Wood Polish (in similar shade of wood), scrapbook paper or decorative paper, Elmer's Craft Bond Spray Adhesive (or any similar spray adhesive), non-yellowing clear glossy spray paint top coat, paper towels, newspapers and Q-tips.
Start off by laying down newspapers on worksurface. You may want to do this outside. Spray the labels on your cigar box with Goo Gone. I noticed it helps to wait a minute or two before you start peeling.
I ended up spraying and wiping with paper towel until all the Goo was Gone. Just make sure that you get everything off that you don't want stuck on there permanantly.
Next, I took a wet paper towel and put a little Murphy Oil Soap on it to clean the Goo Gone off the box. Make sure to go back with a clean wet towel to remove any bubbles. Then, wipe dry.
Now, be sure to take off all rings and anything you don't want to stain. Better yet, use plastic gloves if you don't want your fingers various shades of wood. Then, pull out your Old English and start polishing away. The inside of my box wasn't finished prior to this project, but I stained away. We'll put a clear coat over it all later. Smart Tip Alert: Use your Q-Tips to get in all the nooks and crannies of your cigar box.
Once you've covered your entire box with Old English, buff (vigorously rub) the cigar box to shine and remove excess polish.
Now for the decorating!! Think about what you want this box to be for. My husband bought me a jewelry box for our 5th Anniversary (yesterday!!! still excited!!!), so I decided he needed a box for his 'man things?'. Whatever, he needed this. So I went through my stash of scrapbook papers and found the manly-est pattern I could. And I found a giant 'd', which was in a really girly pattern (note the picture) so do this:
{Paper by thePaperStudio "Black Brown Random Lines" (Great name huh?) and the 'd' is Cosmo Cricket - from their paper packs, I think all the fonts are the same(?)}
I lined up my 'd' where I wanted the colors to be on my cut out 'd' and put my finger there as a marker. Then, flip over your paper, while still holding your place on the pattern and line your 'd' up on the back side of the patterned paper. Get it? Then trace it and cut it out.
Spray your craft adhesive on the back of you letter and let it set for about 5 minutes. While we're waiting for the paint to dry, here are other options of what to do with the top of your cigar box.
Vintage Picture: I wanted to use the one of my great grandparents, below, but I don't think the husband would find any sentiment in that.
Maybe do your own little flat collage of images. Find a postcard or vintage picture at thrift shops or in the family vault. Maybe a handwritten love letter? Let your mind soar. OOH! I wanted to do a treasure box! You can get metal trinkets and letters at craft stores. I would probably use Gorilla Glue to put those down. BUT use a SMALL amount because Gorilla Glue expands!!
Sorry, I was on overload. Anyways, back to the man box.
Place your object on the box, now that the back is tacky.
Then, take this big bag man box outside and clear coat the heck out of it! I used about 3 coats because I wanted it to shine. Plus, the inside wasn't previously unfinished. So here it is!!
Enjoy this easy-cheesy, inexpensive, ultra-cool project!!
♥ Ashley
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