Wednesday, September 5, 2007

When Aliens Invade—Make Something



We are beset with allergies at my house and boxes of tissues have become beloved pets. We’re thinking of naming them.

I’m convinced allergens are little alien creatures gleefully sharpening their claws in anticipation of wreaking havoc in our wimpy Earthling bodies. They certainly do so at every opportunity and are ever so prolific. As such, I have a slight concern our house will be quarantined by the military as a sort of Area 51 site.

In my mind, this creates a need to make something—inspiration comes from sometimes odd events. Having recently made a tissue box for myself, I decided my husband needs one. Invoking his inner maleness, he declined anything “frou-frou.” Being me, I invoked my inner woman and advocated pretty. The photo depicts our compromise (my “girly” box is in the background).

I’m not super proficient with paper crafting but here is how I made our tissue boxes.

Honesty Moment: you could just use tissues in their store-bought format without doing all this or you could paint the wood boxes instead of papering them, but then I wouldn’t have anything to make and share with you.

Materials
  • Unfinished wood tissue box (both Michael’s and Jo-Ann’s Fabrics carries these).

  • Enough scrapbook paper, wallpaper, or whatever material you choose to cover the sides and top.

  • Glue ((I used a product called Yes)

  • Disposable foam brush
Instructions
  • Trace around each side of the box on the wrong side of the paper. I penciled a tiny number on each box section and a corresponding number mark on the paper pieces. Cut these pieces out.

  • Using a foam brush, paint each box section with an even coat of glue.

  • Start with one side (save the top piece for last) and, moving around the box firmly stick the applicable numbered paper onto its corresponding box section. As you move to each new section, match or overlap edges to keep things nice and tidy.

  • Stick your tissues inside.
And there you are—a simple tissue box cover to place strategically in your house to confuse and ward off alien infestations.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is what we like to see. Tutorials by Junie Moon. Your the best. I will have to try and find the boxes first.
I have made a note about your new blog on my old blog.

Unknown said...

Hee hee. I'm imagining little aliens and little UFOs. The boxes look great, I'm sure the aliens will keep away!

Ali said...

I ilke the boxes. My snotty little ones are responsible for at least a trees-worth of tissues each!

And it is so good to finally have you in blogland - you're my favourite Flickr commenter and now I can come and visit you whenever I like. A good thing.

a pink-bee said...

Wow ! Another great project, was just thinking the tissue box in the craft room needs to be put in something nice- Thanks Junie:)
crystalx

Anonymous said...

Cute blog~ and I like your darling little tissue box! Can I ask..where you buy the "Yes" glue? Thanks! Tina

Junie Moon said...

Thank you all for visiting me--I am truly blessed!

Tina, I found the Yes glue in the scrapbook section at Michael's. It's in a fat white plastic jar.

Lena said...

This is a great idea June.
I'm not a fan of tissue boxes at all, and have an especially hard time finding ones that look nice in my son's room. He has allergies too. This is a good solution. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Wow - you are really great with the tutorials. What nifty boxes!

jessica said...

oh this is a great idea. can design my own tissue box.
thanks.