Board Game Box

So probably everyone has seen the adorable Monopoly board turned into a box floating on pinterest at one point or another. I have it as one of my first DIY Decorating pins:

http://pinterest.com/pin/141089400796183747/

I followed the link to the website:

http://www.readymade.com/projects/macgyver_challenge_old_board_games/next_step#steps

which has step by step instructions on how to do the box. They seemed simple enough so I began to make the chalk marks on my board. Now that I have finished this let me say that using chalk WAS a good idea. I also (as pictured) went ahead and put Xs on the portions that are shown as "grey" in the diagram so that I could know what was "extra."

Now, if like me you are using some other board game where the sides are VASTLY different, you should do what I did not...LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE CUTTING. My leftovers were all the things I LOVE about Candy Land: The castle, Queen Frostine (now named princess frostine...you guys and demoting her are dumb), King Candy, and the big "Candy Land" Logo.

Ok, so, we've established you need to pay attention to what you want on the box because you're only using slightly over 1/2 of the board for the box.


Second.... have a very sharp knife that is meant to cut through thick cardboard. Get a box cutter or some other type of very sharp blade. I started using an x-acto knife and moved to a kitchen knife by Master Chef because it literally cuts through anything. However, it doesn't make pretty cuts, and I ended up with ugly edges because of it.

I "fixed" this issue by adding ribbon to the edges of my box top. Also, because of this, my box is not perfectly symmetrical and is a little gappy.

I chose not to score my lines (the dotted ones shown in the grid) and instead make folds. My board was pliable enough to make this possible. So I had to use less hot glue. However, I do not think my box is as clean looking because of this. So, it's your choice whether you fold or cut. I'd say cutting is probably a better choice if all your lines can be completely straight.

All in all, be aware that though the box looks quite roomy on the picture, it's very small. It's big enough to put 2 wii remotes in on their side. And that's about it..So while it's cute, it's not very functional unless you're storing game pieces like dice, cards, and coins. Then, it's a cute way to hide little pieces.

I still haven't decided what i'm doing with the extra board pieces, cards, and playing pieces. I will keep you informed on what becomes of them. I'm thinking the playing pieces at least are going to become jewelry. We shall see.


Don't forget to subscribe to get more pinterest trials. I tell you what works and what's a waste of time, so you don't have to do it yourself!
~Marli

Watermelon Pin Cushion

No catchy titles today, ladies and gents just pure crafty fun.

So this is a DIY project that I just created myself. So, it goes on my DIY I Have to try! board:
http://pinterest.com/marlipaige/diy-i-have-to-try/


First, I didn't have a pin cushion anymore so I thought "self, what do I have to make a pin cushion out of? And what would be cute?"

Things I found:
polyfil
red felt
green silk
pipe cleaners
watermelon gingham ribbon
Needle, Thread, Scissors

Now feel free to make your own version with different things you just have around. But, I decided to make a cute little watermelon pin cushion.


All in all, working at a leisurely pace and watching Downton Abby as I went, this took me about 2.5 hours. I could've done it MUCH quicker. But I was just enjoying it.

STEP ONE

Cut shape in felt

Easiest thing to do is double it over and keep the bottom part connected so you don't have to sew needlessly.

See? If you opened it back up it would look like a butterfly

STEP TWO

Sew everything together except the top.

STEP THREE

Polyfil!

STEP FOUR

Sew top together

STEP FIVE

If you're using ribbon for one decorative side like I did, add that.

I added a second layer,

So I had one ribbon side, and one red side

STEP SIX

Get out your pipe cleaners (I used 3)

STEP SEVEN

Braid those jokers!

STEP EIGHT

Sew one edge of the green fabric you have onto the pipe cleaners

STEP NINE

Wrap it up tight and sew the rest of it on, securing all the fabric curled around the pipe cleaner.

Look, it's a caterpillar! 

No, really, it's your rhine.

STEP TEN

Sew the rhine onto the watermelon

TADA!