{Just for Kids} Command Center…part two

Happy Day Friends!

I’m back with Part Two of my Command Center. Here’s Part One…Just in case you missed it!

Did you notice that the in/out boxes in my Command Center are made using cereal boxes?  I’m not kidding!  I cut them down and covered them with a drop cloth.  And…Now I’m going to show you how you can make your own too!

Go grab your cereal box, a glue gun, a few glue sticks and your fabric of choice…Yep…That’s all you need!

**Warning…There are a lot of pictures!  I documented each step!

Step 1: Find/Purchase a large cereal box.  I watched for them to go on sale for $1.47 and purchased two.

Step 2: Mark off a cutting line on the sides of the box. This is what makes the front of your box lower than the back.

Step 3: Cut only the side, leaving the front flap.

Step 4: Fold the front flap into the inside of the box.  This will give the box added sturdiness.

Step 5: Cut an extra piece of cardboard the size of the back of the box.  Slide it into place.  This will give the box added sturdiness.

Steps 6, 7 & 8:  Add a heavy duty tape as reinforcement anywhere you think it’s needed.  I used white Gorilla tape because that’s what I had on hand.

Now to cover the box…

Step 9:  Cut two strips of fabric to cover the front and back.  Lay the box on the fabric and cut a strip long enough to extend from the bottom back of the box and fold inside.  I cut mine so it would extend to almost the bottom of the inside of the box.  Then cut a strip to cover from the underside back and wrap around the front and fold inside.  make sure to leave about a half inch overhang on all sides to create a finished look on the edges.

Steps 10 & 11:  Glue starting from the bottom back and wrap around to the inside.  Glue as far as the glue gun will reach on the inside.  I used the glue liberally…I want it to stay in place!

Step 12: Fold the sides in to create a smooth edge.  If needed, trim some of the excess fabric.  It will be covered again later.

Step 13 & 14: What the finished edges should look like.

Step 15: To cover the front of the box, begin at the bottom unfinished edge.  Hot glue the bottom.

Step 16: Continue gluing up the front of the box and wrap around to the inside.  Glue as far as the glue gun will reach on the inside.

Step 17:  Create a finished edge on the sides by tucking in the overhang from the front and back and gluing in place.  Now to cover the sides…Start by cutting two pieces of fabric; one for each side. Leave about a half inch on each side.  Working with one side at a time, glue the middle all the way down on one side.  This leaves room for tucking in your edge.

Steps 18 & 19: Once middle is glued in place, fold under excess fabric on sides and glue into place.

Step 20: Trim excess fabric at the top and fold in to the inside.  Glue into place.

Step 21: Yay…It’s Finished!  Doesn’t resemble a cereal box anymore, huh!

Whew!  I know that was a lot!  It really is not very difficult, but I wanted to make sure you had a visual of how I did each step.  I think these would be Awesome in a color…The possibilities are endless with fabric!  Just use something you have on hand.

Add a fun folder {or two or three} to organize all the papers.  I had no idea how many papers come home from kindergarten!

A clip on the front is a great way to keep the important papers in sight!  I’ve been clipping the class newsletter here so I don’t forget what day is PE, etc.

If you create your own cereal box drop box, please share the picture with me!

Happy Creating!

Sharing with…The Happy Housie