DIY Storage Boxes from Recycled Pallets

DIY Numbered shipping pallet crates

Wanna make cool DIY storage boxes from old shipping pallets?  That is what you will find here.  This project came about because I have never really loved my tapered bookshelf and decided it was time to make it lovable.  I found these DIY storage crates from pallets at Ana White, and came up with a plan to make small, medium and large ones to custom fit to my shelves.  During the process of getting the numbers on there, I found a cool, accidental image transfer to wood technique.  I finished the three boxes over 2 days, including letting stain sit overnight.  Keep reading to see how.

reclaimed wood storage boxes

SUPPLIES:

Wood from shipping pallets – (There are 1000 ways to break down pallets.  I use a pry bar and circular saw.  Google it to find videos.)

Kreg jig and screws (My wood was .75 inches thick so I used 1.25 inch Kreg screws)

1×12 board for bottoms of crates

Wood Glue

Clamps

Mod Podge (I used Antique Mod Podge)

Wood Stain and Conditioner or preferred finish

Scrapbooking Attitude or materials for your preferred transfer technique

TUTORIAL:

How to make a storage box from recycled wood pallets

Based on my 3 shelf sizes, I decided to make three boxes sized as follows: 12×12.5 inch, 13×12.5 inch and 14×12.5 inch.  To do this, I cut 6 sides from pallets, each 11 inches for the box sides.  I cut a front and box in 12, 13 and 14 inches for each box.  The bottom of the box I cut from 1×12 board to 1.5 inches shorter than the front/back pieces of each box (to account for the width of the sides).  See all the pieces above.

Use Kreg Jig Pocket holes to join pallet wood

Here you can see that I drilled pocket holes on each edge of the inner surface of the side boards for each box (to see how to use Kreg Jig and join wood with it, go to my Pallet Sign Tutorial)

Drill pocket holes in the bottom of the box

Drill pocket holes in the bottom of the box for attaching it to the front, back and side box boards as pictured.

PalletCrates7

Start by attaching side to bottom using holes you drilled in bottom.

How to screw in kreg screws in tight space

PalletCrates12

Here it is with all the boards attached.  I used wood glue in addition to the screws.  I always do.  I learned that from Ana.

Sand before wood conditioner

I sanded with 80 then 120 grit paper.

How to use Minwax Wood Conditioner

Clean away debris from sanding with damp lint free towel, then apply wood conditioner.  Let sit 15 min, wipe away excess.

Stain wood after wood conditioner

I stained with Minwax Classic Gray Wood Stain.  I did an extremely quick and dirty finishing job on these since the wood is rustic and uneven anyway.  That is one of the many things I love about pallet wood projects.  I get to move quick and messy fits right in with the look.

How to image transfer onto wood

I used these free cool vintage numbers from The Graphics Fairy.   To get them filled in, I just pulled them into Photoshop and painted the open spaces black.  I flipped them backwards and printed them onto Scrapbooking Attitude, an image transfer product you can read all about in my Image Transfer Halloween DIY using the product.

How to use Scrapbooking Attitude for Image Transfer onto Wood

Cut out around number. Set aside and go to next step.

Apply Mod Podge to area for image transfer

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge where the image will be placed.

How to transfer images onto wood

Peel film away from backing and place image, ink side down, onto the surface.  Smooth out any wrinkles and press into Mod Podge/wood with fingers.

How to make a wood pallet storage box

O.k.  Here is where the happy accident starts.  You can see the transfer film where you cut out the number and the clear “paper” around it.  At this point I would just mod podge over everything, hoping that hid the edge of the film to an acceptable degree.  What happened here was I realized I accidentally put the 2 on the largest box, where I really wanted the three.  So, I tried to remove it, and the film came away leaving the ink behind!  Yay!  I did sanded it off the box so I could put the 3 on there, but removed the film for the rest of the numbers.  I love how it looks!

remove film, leaving ink behind for the image transfer

PalletCrates24

Here you can see me removing the film, and the ink staying behind!

Seal with Antique Mod Podge

Brush a coat of Mod Podge over the entire surface, and the entire box to seal.  I used Antique for an aged effect.  Let dry and you are done!

DIY wood pallet storage boxes

DIY storage from wood pallets

So, they are awesome, am I right?

Wanna make everything under the sun from wood pallets?

Check out our 50+ Wood Pallet Project Round-up!

We also have 50+ Image Transfer Projects to inspire your creativity!

Halloween Decor With {Scrapbooking} Attitude

Scrapbooking Attitude Halloween Decor DIY at savedbylovecreations.com #ScrapAttitude #Halloween #Fall #Crafts

I had the opportunity to try out a cool new product called Scrapbooking Attitude, and am excited to tell you about it.  This is a printable, transparent film you use with your inkjet printer for endless creative possibilities.  Being a huge fan of image transfers, I was thrilled to give this a whirl.

50+ Image Transfer Techniques

Image transfers are done onto glass, wood, paper, polymer clay, ceramic and more, using a variety of techniques, from acrylic mediums to packing tape.  What I love about Scrapbooking Attitude is that it is simple to use, the results are fantastic (even on the embossed, textured surface I used in this project), and it requires an inkjet.  In my experience, inkjet transfers techniques compared to laserjet are not as abundant, are more difficult, and don’t come out  as nicely.  This is bad news since most people, myself included, have the less costly inkjet printer at home.  Scrapbooking Attitude is a fantastic solution.  My only problem was focusing in on a single project.  You will be seeing me use this product more in future projects.   For this post, I went all Halloween on you.

Scrapbooking Attitude Halloween Decorating

The following step-by-step photo tutorial shows you how I transfered “EEK” and spider graphics I created in Photoshop (available for you use as a free Halloween Printable) onto die cut, embossed paper for the banner.  I used the same steps to transfer the spider web graphics onto an old book with a solid orange cover.

SUPPLIES:

Scrapbooking Attitude

Die Cut, embossed white cardstock  (I used this Tim Holtz die for Sizzix, and this Tim Holtz embossing folder)

Antique Linen Distress Ink Pad to ink the raised areas of the embossed cardstock

Mod Podge

Foam brush

Twine

Tiny white clothespins

Black Cardstock Die Cut Scalloped rectangle (I used a Sizzix scallop rectangle die)

Antique Linen Distress Ink Pad

Scissors

Inkjet Printer

Mod Podge 3D foam mounts

TUTORIAL:

Scrapbooking Attitude Halloween Decor Tutorial

 Once dry, I layered the transferred image and shape onto a black cardstock scalloped rectangle cut using Sizzix.  I used Mod Podge 3D foam mounts to adhere the layers.  Then I just clipped them into place on the twine with my tiny white clothespins.

I just love how this transferred into the grooves of the texture.  It looks like it is one with the paper and you can see the background through the image.  You can achieve the transfer with a lamination machine, an iron, or a glue stick, or use Mod Podge like I did here.  The instructions with the product are extremely detailed, and my craft blogging cohorts are posting their techniques, tips and tricks as well.  At the end of this post is a gallery of other blogger’s creations usiing Scrapbooking Attitude for you to see more of what is possible.

To purchase Scrapbooking Attitude packs, visit the website linked. While you are at it, join me in following them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for the latest tips and projects.

 

*I wrote this post as a part of a paid campaign with Scrapbooking Attitude and The Blueprint Social.  All opinions are mine and honest.



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