This was my first ever successful DIY and upcycle. I wanted to update the final reveal pictures and share it with you as it’s been lost in the Pink Fortitude archives. Do you know those cutie clementines that come in the wooden crates? Well, they are perfect for an upcycle project. This cutie crate was upcycled into a vintage trunk. You will never believe the before and after!
We had a little basket right inside the door to catch all of the wallets, phones, glasses, iPods, etc. Does the entry at your house have something similar?
And this is where everything goes. Solidarity anyone?
How to Upcycle a Cutie Crate
We have this awesome vintage trunk in our entry in lieu of a console table. In my head, I was going to create this incredible vintage trunk box to collect all of the door clutter. The only problem – I have not been blessed with the DIY/Crafty gene. A four-year-old can craft better than I can. Hence why all of the DIY’s and upcycles on this blog are super easy.
This one is a little more complicated and took a little more time, but trust me, if I can do it, so can you!
The Supplies
Here’s what I started with:
Cutie/Clementine Crate
Pleather/Vinyl Material
Hardware
Suede and Velvet Ribbon
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The DIY
I found the pleather/vinyl material in the clearance bin. I used both hot glue and also stapled it down.
It took some careful cutting.
But I was able to cover the outside.
Then I glued some smaller pieces inside. In the places where the glue didn’t hold, I used a staple gun.
Then I added some pretty velvet ribbon with hot glue as a trim. I wanted it in leather/suede material but I couldn’t find any more of it.
Next came the hinges and hardware and tacks. Then I hot glued the handles.
Finally, I fixed up the inside… and…
TA-DA!
A lot of projects I like to do are frugal. This one was less on the frugal side of the track and more to replicate the look of our vintage trunk.
By the Numbers
4 stores to find everything I needed (craft rookie – I could have planned better)
$25.00 in supplies (hello clearance bin!)
Hot glue, scissors, and Phillips screwdriver
3 hours of labor.
Was it worth the effort? Absolutely!
Are You Inspired?
Love, hugs, and happy to have a Cutie home for the not so Cutie door clutter.
Oh my goodness, this is so stinkin’ cute! I think that you did a wonderful job with it!
Hi Becca Lynn – Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words. Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I think the crafty gene has been found! I just love this crate! I am interested to see if it works! Knowing my family members, they will toss their stuff next to the box! I am off to visit everyone else’s great boxes!
Hi Cynthia – So far, so good and it’s been over a week. I think we may actually have a keeper. Thank you for your kind words. Hugs, Holly
I don’t believe you that you don’t remember throwing down the cutie crate gauntlet! I’ll be much more careful next time you throw out a challenge. 🙂 It’s almost unbelievable that your upcycle started with the same crate that mine did. You most definitely hit it out of the park today!
Hi Susan – You are too kind and remember… you were my first inspiration when I started this crazy DIY thing! Hugs, Holly
It looks so cute! What a great transformation. Thanks for linking up to the Tips and Tricks link party.
Hi Christa – Thanks so much and thanks for hosting. Hugs, Holly
This is amazing! I can’t believe that used to be a cutie box! I would love it if you stop by the Thursday S.T.Y.L.E. Link Party and link this up. http://addicted2diy.com/2014/01/30/thursday-s-t-y-l-e-link-party-5/
Hi Katie – Thanks for stopping by and for the invite to your party. I’ll definitely check it out! Hugs, Holly
I love cutie crates. I think your craft gene just got activated. The mini-me trunk came out fabulous!
Hi Sue – You are too kind, thank you! Hugs, Holly
Holly,
From where I’m sitting your crafty gene is present and accounted for. That is creative and adorable! I’d love for you to share this at my first ever link party, DIY:Done! at FlyingC-DIY.com. Its open now through Sunday, and I’ll have a new party every week! Hope to see you there!!
Cori
Hi Cori – You are too kind, thank you. And thank you for the invitation if I don’t make it this week, I’ll definitely stop by next week! Hugs, Holly
Wow! This is quite the transformation!!! This is one of my Hit Me With Your Best Shot Knockouts this week! Thanks SO much for linking up!
Hi Shelly – Oh my goodness, thank you so much for the feature. Very much appreciated. Hugs, Holly
Oh my Lord, what a creative and clever transformation! I didn’t know I needed a Cutie crate until I saw your project. Such a neat idea, and the other ideas are clever too. Kudos!
Hi Ann – Thank you for stopping by and I have another one staring at me. Trying to figure out the next project. Hugs, Holly
How creative! I love that you saw the potential in that crate to make something so cute.
Hi Marti – Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. It was a fun craft to try. Hugs, Holly
I eat these things all the time and hate throwing away the crate. My husband swears they are trash, i say they are treasure. Love your idea. I am wondering if I could get a similar look from a thrift store purse. Well, got to go figure this out – there are three crates awaiting.
Hi Donna – Of course they are treasure! There’s a million things you can make with cutie crates – the only limit is your imagination. Good luck with your creation and can’t wait to see it! Hugs, Holly
What a great job you did on this piece, it looks so classy now and very unique. Thanks for linking it up to the Curb Alert! Trash Day Trash to Treasure Party. Hope to see you again next week!
~Tami
Hi Tami – Thank you for visiting and for hosting. I’m so glad I found your party. Hugs, Holly
I love your idea this came out beautiful i would like to try this out. The only problem that i have us that i really dont have patients
What a great idea! I can’t tell you how many times it has pained me to throw those boxes out, I always think there has to be a good use for them!
Emily
http://Www.domesticdeadline,com
Hi Emily – These boxes are the best! Although I feel like I’m in an orange eating marathon because you need to eat like 3-4 of the little ones to equal a regular size one. Hugs, Holly
Mind BLOWN!!! this is absolutely amazing! I invite you to share this and your blog in our weekly linky party and blog hop! I just came across your blog and I love it! Hope to see you there every thursday, the party is on now! http://www.thefamilyfunspot.com/2014/01/bloggers-unidas-8.html
Hi Vivian – Oh wow, thank you so much. And thanks for the invite – I’ll be by later to check it out! Hugs, Holly
How creative is this!!! Wow! Awesome idea! Found this on make it pretty monday!
Amazing! You’d never even know it was a cutie box, this looks great! Thanks so much for linking it up to Snickerdoodle Sunday, we love all things upcycle!
Hi K&M – Thanks so much, it was a lot of fun to make. Hugs, Holly
That is genius! Love it! so many ideas so little time 🙂
Hi Gracie – Thank you for your kind words and I’m hoping to make another Cutie creation very soon. Hugs, Holly
So crazy creative! Thanks for sharing on Worthwhile Wednesdays. Hope to see you again tomorrow at the link party!
Thanks again,
Allie @ http://thecraftiestallie.blogspot.com/
Hi Allie – Catch you later today! Hugs, Holly
Amazing!! LOve how it coordinates so well with your trunk – great recycling project!!
Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. Hugs, Holly
Awesome upcycle Holly!! I can’t believe the transformation! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Work it Wednesday this week:) Hope to see you back tomorrow:)
~Krista from the happy housie
Hi Krista – Thank you for your kind words! Hugs, Holly
Hi Holly,
I wanted to let you know that I loved this upcycle so much that I’m choosing to feature it tomorrow night for the next Thursday S.T.Y.L.E. Link Party! I keep seeing these boxes of cuties at the grocery store, and I think I may just try this to try to contain our “drop zone” clutter. Thanks so much for linking up this project!
Hi Katie – Oh goodness, thank you so much for the feature, you are too kind. So far it’s been working out and the “drops” have been making it into the box. Hugs, Holly
It’ fantastic! You are one of the features at The Round-Up from Before and After Wednesday at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-round-up-from-before-and-after.html Hope to see you again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Hi Kathryn – Thank you so much for the feature, you are very sweet. It was a fun project to make. Hugs, Holly
That is awesome Holly! I also LOVE the truck beneath it, much nicer than the one that I have at the end of my bed. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing with us at Best of the Weekend! Pinned to our party board! 🙂
Hi Lisa, thanks so much for visiting. The real trunk was a vintage trunk from Hubby’s family and it works perfect in that location. Hugs, Holly
I love this trunk! I will be featuring it tomorrow on Made in a Day! Thanks so much for linking up with me each week!
Kim
Hi Kim – Thank you for your feature, very sweet of you. Thanks for hosting a fun party! Hugs, Holly
So clever!! Saw this at Roadkill rescue and wanted to see the rest! Great work!
luff your version I’m featuring it tomorrow at Meet the Neighbors hope to see you there
Hi ARod – You are so sweet, thank you for the feature! Hugs, Holly
HI! I really appreciate you linking up to the Curb Alert! Saturday Trash Day Link Party last week. I would love for you to join us again this weekend and link up any Trash to Treasure projects you would like to share. Hope to see you soon! http://tamicurbalert.blogspot.com/2014/02/curb-alert-trash-day-link-party-2.html
Tami @ Curb Alert!
Hi Tami – So glad I found your party and thank you for hosting! I don’t do T2T every week, but will stop by when I can. Hugs, Holly
I love vintage trunks, this is amazing. You’ve been featured on Sunday Features {Give Me The Goods} and will be on my FB page tomorrow 😉
Hugs,
Jamie
Hi Jamie – You are so sweet, thank you for the feature. I am still shocked at how well it turned out! Hugs, Holly
How stinkin cute is that?!?!? I love the industrial look. It isn’t a quick and easy project but it was well worth the effort. Going back to pin it for later!
Stacy
http://www.anygirlcandoit.com
Hi Stacy – Thank you for your kind words and thank you for pinning! Hugs, Holly
Holy LOVE of old trunks!!! This is the cutest clementine box I’ve ever seen!!! Found you through our Monday Funday Party!! Pinning & sharing on Facebook!!! 🙂 Thanks for linking up!!
Hi Candance – Awww you are so sweet, thank you! Glad to have you visit! Hugs, Holly
Love the Vintage Trunk, you did a great job. I would never have thought to use a clementine crate to make something this pretty!
Hi Terri – Thank you for your sweet comments. Hugs, Holly
HOW can you say you don’t have the DIY/Crafty gene? That Vintage Trunk is fabulous! Love it!!!
Hi Maggie – You are too kind, I’m not sure how I pulled this one off but I really am not the born crafty type. Hugs, Holly
I think it looks great! I hate throwing those things away, but I never know what to do with them!! Now I’ve got an idea.
Hi Rabia – Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs, Holly
My cuties do not come in a crate… but now I wish they did! happy SITS day!
Hi Jean – Thanks for visiting and hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
I still love your clementine crate upcycle. You really rocked it with vintage trunk look. You cannot say you don’t have the crafting gene after creating this cutie (see what I did there?)
OMG!!! I can’t believe you don’t think you have a DIY gene–this is an incredible upcycle project! Love how it coordinates with your entryway trunk. Thanks so much for sharing–I have dreams of making a table out of one of these trunks, and that would be a cute little catchall side project. Wish me luck 😉
Stopping in from SITS Sharefest this morning and hope you have a great weekend!
I kept your email about this DIY in my inbox until I had time to look at it. I’m so glad I did! I love this! It looks fabu! I love DIY on the cheap!
Love this so much. You are my pick for this weeks Waste Not Wednesday Link Party
So very clever and cute. Thanks for sharing this with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link party. Hope to see you back again this week.