Hello, lovelies!! Today, I’m back sharing an idea for how you can update a flatware box for the holidays! Y’all know I love these boxes and pick them up whenever I see a good deal on one. Except, I have passed up one twice now in the Goodwill closest to me because I already have three in this haul!
This is the neediest of them all, but it was only $1.99! Here is how this box started:
The good news is that someone already removed the innards for me, so that was lucky! You’ll see that a bit later.
Clean
This makeover started with a good cleaning with White Lightning using a terrycloth pad:
It comes in a concentrated powder form and also a ready-to-use formula. I like the powder as it goes a really long way. I just mix one TBSP with a half gallon of warm water.
Be sure to wipe down once more with clean water to remove any residue.
Paint
Since this is going to be for the holidays, I chose my favorite Christmas red, Barn Red, and paired that with my go-to white, Fluff, both from Dixie Belle:
Both colors were applied in two coats.
Sand
Once the paint was dry, I sanded all over with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface…
When deciding on a design for this piece, there were just so many options!
I knew I wanted to use this Finley mould from Redesign to add a frame to the top:
Casting a Frame using a decor mould and Amazing Casting Resin
Creating decorative pieces like this frame is so easy using Amazing Casting Resin!
1. Amazing Casting Resin comes with two liquids, part A and part B.
2. Mix equal amounts of each in the cups provided and pour into a Dixie cup. Use the included stick to stir them together.
3. Immediately pour them into the mould making sure not to overfill.
4. In 15 minutes, your casting is complete!
Seriously simple!
I cast all three sizes of frames since I had enough liquid, but I only used the largest one.
I painted that in Fluff and then highlighted the details with Gold Golding wax once it was dry:
And to go inside my cute new frame, I had a few options, but I ultimately landed on a piece from this Yuletide Nostalgia Middy transfer:
The next step was to paint the area that would be inside the frame in the Fluff:
(I traced the inside of the frame and then painted just beyond it.)
Once that was dry, I applied the transfer I chose for that area:
I chose the Santa!!
I wasn’t sure what else I wanted to do with the top at this point, so I moved on to the bottom and decided to give that portion stripes using Dixie Belle’s English Ivy, a perfect holiday green!
Seal
To seal, I used Clear Best Dang Wax, applying it with the Best Dang Brush and removing the excess/buffing using a clean, soft cloth:
Attach the Frame
It was looking pretty hokey there lol, so it was time to bring it all together and add the new frame using E6000 glue:
Shading with Black Wax
You can see in that photo above, I shaded around the outside with Black Best Dang Wax. I did that using my French Tip brush:
I applied it to the outside edge, and then dabbed most of the wax off on a rag before blending it into the unwaxed areas to create a subtle blending effect.
Once I added the frame, I went around the outside edge of that as well…
I will let this sit for a few days until it is dry and then it will be fully cured in 21 days.
It needed something else!
Wanting to add a little something more, I dug through a tub of casings that I had ready-made and came across one made from the Majestic Flourish Mould. I painted and gilded it to use on another project a while back but ended up not using it on that piece…
I cut off the top part using an Exacto knife and painted it in the English Ivy:
I thought it resembled evergreen boughs a bit. I attached that using E6000 glue as well and this project was complete!
Update a Flatware Box for the Holidays Big Reveal
It turned out so festive!
I love the traditional Christmas colors in my own home when decorating for the holidays!
What do you think about the “greenery”?
Resembles it a bit, right?
It helps tie in the green on the bottom.
I added the frame vertically on the box so it would feel more like a book…
And I just love this Santa’s jolly face!
I had this pull in my stash…
The inside
The inside was a hot mess before:
I used the same method I always do to line it.
See how I line boxes with fabric HERE.
It looks much better now!
And it’s perfect for housing Christmas cards! Do you still send cards at the holidays?
I still send them every year even though I don’t get nearly as many as I used to. I love reaching out to old friends in this way each year!
Here’s a closer peek at the lining…
This was such a fun project and a great way to make use of that old $2 box!
I hope you enjoyed it too!
The best part is crossing another piece off the list!
Many more to go!
See what I’ve completed so far:
Yellow Painted Chair
Trashed $10 Thrift Store Table Makeover
Round Wooden Storage Case
Washstand Cabinet Makeover
Vintage Mahogany Dresser Makeover
I won’t be here on Thursday as we will be celebrating Thanksgiving here in the US.
I feel so wonderfully blessed to be able to share with all of you each week in this way! I truly appreciate each and every one of you for stopping by and supporting me! ❤️
To my friends in the US, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
I’ll be back on Friday with over 25 ideas for your own makeovers!
UPDATE: Get inspired HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST
Get FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50. No code needed at checkout! Orders under $50 always enjoy $8 flat rate shipping! Most orders ship same or next business day!
Mary Kaiser says
Oh I love it so much, beautiful now! That will sell fast from your booth! love those make overs with the old silverware chest, yours always turn out so beautiful! Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and watch out because you may need to nap after dinner because it feels like there are sleeping pills in that food on Thanksgiving! LOL!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend!! We’ll see if this one makes it to my booth ha ha! And yes, the sleepy effect is real lol! Luckily, my sister is hosting this year woohoo! Enjoy your Thanksgiving too!! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, what an adorable Christmas keepsake box! Christmas cards? – absolutely! Ours go in the mail today. As you said, we don’t get as many as we used to as some friends opt for e-cards. But, it’s still a great way to stay in touch this time of year. After Christmas, I gather them up (along with other greeting cards we’ve received during the year) and send them to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children; the children turn them into other greeting cards and sell them (send front on my, no Hallmark or American Greetings brands).
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Thank you for the blessing you are to all of us who love and appreciate your creativity that you share each week. The time and heart that you put into every piece continue to inspire.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Janice! I LOVE that you do that with your cards. I didn’t even know that was something we could do! I hope you know how much I appreciate you too! Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! XOXO
Geri Ann says
OMGosh the Santa box is adorable!!! I love it, what a perfect place for Christmas treasures… Can’t wait to see what’s next…
Christy says
Thank you, Geri Ann! I really had fun with this one, and yes, it could hold lots of Christmas treasures! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Uh oh, I just checked the St Judes site for the card deadline that I mentioned and they have ended the program for a number of reasons! So sorry…
Christy says
Oh no! That was my next stop to see what I needed to do. Thanks for letting me know. XO
Denise says
Wow! Not only did you totally change that box but you make it gorgeous. I can’t get over what you always come up with and how brilliant it all is. I don’t know how you are going to part with that treasure!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Denise
Christy says
Aww thank you, Denise! I started decorating yesterday and I think that one might be staying with me lol! I hope you have a wonderfu Thanksgiving as well! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh, I love this! Traditional colors are my favorite colors for Christmas too. The “greenery” is a perfect touch. Great idea for a card holder. Yes, I still send out cards but not as many as I used to, nor do I get as many but that’s a tradition I plan on keeping up! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friend!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! My sister and I used to compete to see who got the most cards every year. Then we would cut them all up to make gift tags the following year. Now that I don’t get as many, I hate to cut them up lol. I’ll keep sending them too though! XOXO
Mary Smart says
Christy, this one is a winner! It will not last a day in your booth, if you can part with it! Such a clever idea and love the idea of putting your Christmas cards in it.
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I’m not sure I can part with it ha ha! I started decorating yesterday, and he looks so cute in my decor! XOXO
Nana Diana says
That is really adorable….and ‘olde world’ looking, I think. What a great keepsake box for little Christmas treasures.
Happy Thanksgiving, Christy- xo Diana
Christy says
Thanks so much, Diana! It’s especially nice to have new colors to play with since I don’t traditionally use those colors! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, my friend! XOXO
Debbie says
Wow, this Santa box is simply adorable and so festive! I love the stripes and the green leaves! It will not stay in your booth for long! I hope you and your family enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. We are expecting 50 mile an hour winds and snow in the Western NY area! 😮😮
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well! I think the temps are supposed to drop here, but not nearly that much! Stay warm! XOXO
Cyndi says
Sooo pretty! I love all the details! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, my friend! XOXO
Geri Davis says
I love this box, when you put the Santa on vertically I thought you made a mistake, but I love the book idea with cards inside! So very sweet, yes I still send out cards, not like I used to though.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Christy says
Thank you, Geri! I thought it would be something different to put it longways like it was a book. I wish everyone would go back to sending cards… I love to get them! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, my friend! XOXO
Darlene Spence says
How clever to overlap the castings. It turned out so great! I learn so much from you. Happy Thanksgiving, Christy! Enjoy your family time with Jack. Make some awesome memories. With love from Texas, XOXO
Christy says
Thank you, Darlene! I just happened to have that second casting already made, so it worked out nicely! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with those you love as well!! XOXO
Liz Shivel says
Hi Christy, this is so cute and it puts me right into the Christmas spirit decorating spirit! It’s lovely, and it makes me think you could duplicate that whole look with a tray, just the greenery would have to be flat and not stick up! Could be a really cute combo! Do you still have a tray to work on that could look like this? 🎄
Christy says
I’m so glad you like it, Liz, thank you! I started my decorating this week, a bit earlier than I usually do, but I am really in the Christmas spirit this year! I do have a tray, but it may be a bit deep. Great idea! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
Very nice! Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! XOXO
Lizzy says
I don’t celebrate Christmas, but I can appreciate the beauty of this. The molded frame on top is my favorite part. I can see using these ideas for any kind of decorative box.
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! You sure could use this idea for just about anything. It would be gorgeous with roses or other florals in the frame too! XOXO
Jackie C says
of course, I love the stripes, but those molds are the star. What a creative idea. It looks beautiful. Did I miss the sale? I need to head over to Etsy and see.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Christy says
I agree, the moulds really make it! Thank you, my friend! No, you haven’t missed the sale…it starts at 12:00 am EST Friday and goes through Monday! 20% off EVERYTHING woohoo!! Enjoy your Thanksgiving too! XOXO
Michele M. says
That is so cute! WOW. And I do love the greenery. And the “stashed” pull you added is perfect for it as well. That is a real cutie now. Well done.
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! There are so many possibilities for such a plain box, so it took me a minute to settle on a plan, but then it came together pretty quickly! He might be a keeper! XOXO
Caye says
What a novel idea your pretty head came up with! Excellent! How amazed I was when that frame fit so perfectly. The santa is just beautiful.
I wish you and yours a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving, Christy. You are on my list of people I am grateful for. Thank you for all you share so generously. I appreciate you.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Caye! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one…he was fun to do! And I am so incredibly grateful for all of you as well! Have a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving, my friend!! XOXO
Candace Munson says
Wow! This is really cute! Thank you for sharing and being an inspiration.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Candace! I’m so glad you enjoy what I share!! XOXO