Wednesday, March 24, 2010

DIY :: Card Holder for Travel

You've probably noticed a theme recently in my posts - travel.  With the combination of spring break this time of year and my husband's love of the Chicago Cubs (it's baseball spring training time in Arizona and Florida for those of you that don't know), we've been on the road and flying the friendly skies a lot.

My kids love to play cards, and hours of Uno and Slap Jack keep them successfully entertained on long flights.  However, the cardboard boxes in which cards are packaged these days don't agree with the prying fingers of my 2.5 year old.  He tears into the box once and it is rendered unusable for holding cards anymore.


I found a quick and easy solution to this problem - travel soap containers.  Those plastic boxes that you can purchase at the grocery store, the Dollar Store or Target for less than a dollar, are the perfect size for holding a deck of cards.  They close tightly, keep the cards from exploding all over the bottom of my carry-on bag, and the curved lids are even tall enough to hold an entire Uno deck.

Here are all 108 cards safely held inside the box:


I wanted something to dress up all of these cards boxes that accompany us on trips.  Here are the supplies you'll need to complete this easy project:


I picked a roll of wrapping paper that I had in my closet with colors that corresponded to the color of the box.  Use your Exacto knife to cut a piece of paper that is big enough to cover the bottom of the box. Make sure to include extra on each end so that you can wrap the paper up the sides of the box.

Cover the bottom of the box with a layer of Mod Podge and carefully apply the paper.  You can smooth it onto the bottom and wrap the ends up the two long sides of the box (front and back).  **Warning: wrapping paper is tough to work with in Mod Podge projects.  Because the paper is so thin, it easily bubbles up when wet.  Smooth out the wrinkles slowly and meticulously (or use a slightly thicker paper).


Once the bottom and sides have dried, you can wrap the paper up the short sides (left and right) and smooth it down for a continuous pattern.  Repeat the process for the box's lid.  I cut the paper slightly smaller than the lid and smooth it down gently.  I make small cuts in the paper and overlap it slightly to ensure that it will conform to the box's contour.

Finish everything off with a second coat of Mod Podge, pop in your cards and you're ready for the road.

2 comments:

  1. I LOVE your ideas!!! I recognized the containers- spices and card box, right away. I think I'll borrow your spice container idea for my husband the chef so he can bring his homegrown herbs to work!! Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails