Cereal Box Magazine Holders DIY
I've been wanting to make some recycled cereal box magazine holders for years, and at long last I found a little window of time to give it a try. And I have to say, I just love the results, and this is the perfect way to freshen up your desk area or bookcase, and to use up some pieces of wrapping paper, wall paper, contact paper or even fabric that you just love and don't know how to use! Once you get the hang of it, this DIY is so simple the only thing you'll be lacking is enough cereal boxes! So let's get crafting:
You’ll Need:
- recycled cereal boxes
- patterned wrapping paper, contact paper or even thin cotton fabric
- mod podge or diluted white glue
- a pencil, scissors, a large paint brush
- hot glue gun or very high tack glue
Step 1: Carefully open the side and bottom seams of the cereal box. Don’t worry if the box gets torn a bit (as mine did) it really won’t show. Using a pencil and a ruler or even a straight piece of cardboard, accurately draw cutting lines on the non-printed side of the flat cereal box.
Step 2: Cut a piece of wrapping paper that is slightly bigger than your box. Apply an even coat of diluted white glue or mod podge to the printed side of the cereal box. Starting at one end, lay about 2 inches of the wrapping paper down on the glue and burnish with your finger. Then working across the width of the box lower more and more of the paper, burnishing as you go to avoid bubbles and wrinkles. Depending on the weight of your wrapping paper, wrinkles and small bubbles may be unavoidable, but don’t worry about it the pattern hides most of the imperfections. Set aside to dry.
Step 3: Cut off top tabs and along the cutting lines marked in Step 1. I did this with scissors, though one can also use a craft knife and a metal ruler for greater precision.
Step 4. Fold the box on its original fold lines and use hot glue or very high tack glue to carefully secure seams. Add an additional piece of cardboard to the bottom, from the inside, for additional strength if desired.
That is it! Now go make a whole bunch in your favorite colors and patterns, and while you are at it, cover a tin can in a piece of matching paper to complete the look!
Note: Regarding using contact paper or light weight cotton fabric: contact paper is the same steps except minus the glue. To use fabric you may want to use mod podge fabric, or I have had great luck using white PVC glue (woodworker's glue) slightly diluted. Quilt weight fabric is the only weight I'd use for this as cereal boxes are not generally thick enough to support heavier fabric, or the amount of glue it would take to saturate the fabric. Simply brush glue onto fabric and follow same steps. Drying time will be substantially longer, and box will more likely warp, but it is worth a try.
