This, my friends, is what I like to call a “Post-Christmas Christmas Project”, if that makes any sense. It all started with this little vintage picnic basket that I found on a thrift store shelf. I thought it had the cutest shape (like a briefcase) and I chuckled over how dainty it seemed…compared to normal picnic baskets.
Isn’t he a cutie?
It was in decent shape, structure-wise, with the only real blemish being bits of glued-on paper on one side- as if packaging had once been glued on and then ripped off hastily.
Like a little suitcase!
Without a specific project in mind, I sat on it for a few days (not literally), mulling over how I could use it most effectively. I couldn’t stop seeing it as a little suitcase in my head…and then I had a revelation. I had a stack of holiday magazines in my craft room that were usually in my way and needed a different place to live. What if they fit in the picnic basket? What if I could repurpose this vintage picnic basket into DIY Christmas magazine storage?
Well, well, well…
They. Fit. Perfectly! And I could safely tuck them away in the picnic basket until next year, which I loved. Sure, I could have left it at that…but I decided to give the picnic basket a wee little makeover before stowing it away until the following December. This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience.
So, I just wanted to do a couple of things to the picnic basket- give it a bright, clean paint job…and then use Christmas-y ribbon to make it even more vintage suitcase-esque. For the paint job, I used painter’s tape to cover the existing handle, hardware, and locking flap.
Makeover time!
I painted it a satin white, allowed the paint to dry, then then removed the painter’s tape. There- now they stood out more than they did against the straw color of the basket. And I didn’t do a perfect job with the tape, which was fine- just enough to keep most of the paint away.
Good enough for me!
Now for the Christmas ribbon! My plan was to attach two strips of ribbon across the front of the picnic basket as a throwback to straps on a vintage suitcase. Totally an optional step (as was painting), but since I was going to use it for Christmas magazine storage, I felt that it needed to look a little festive. I grabbed two rolls of wired ribbon from my stash- but which one should I use?
Now for some vintage suitcase-esque straps!
I decided the plaid/velvet ribbon was a touch too wide, so I went with the muted plaid ribbon instead. Using my favorite mixed media shears, I snipped off a length of ribbon, folded over one end, and slipped it between the front and back of the picnic basket. After lining it up against the now-white hinge, I hot-glued it inside the front cover.
Quick and easy faux (but festive) straps…
I did the same at the other end, again hot-gluing it in place. I also added a few beads of glue underneath my ribbon “strap” along the front cover to keep it in place, and that was it!
Perfect- just the look I was going for!
After doing the exact same thing to the other side, it was done! My Christmas magazine storage case was all ready to go.
Voila- festive and functional!
It’s hard to believe that Christmas is over…but at least I have a fun new place for holiday magazine storage! And I’ll definitely smile next year when we go into the loft to retrieve all our Christmas décor…and there it’ll be, cheery and festive, filled with all my favorite magazines.
Love. It!
Plus, there is room for more mags! So I think I’ll be adding a new Christmas magazine or two for next year.
Farewell for now…until next year, that is!
Before you go, please check out my full collection of repurposed/upcycled storage and organization projects here! Start off the new year with fresh inspiration that will help get your home in order.
Craft on!
S
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That’s a nice little suitcase. I love the storage and how you decorated it with ribbon. Plus, it keeps all of your Christmas-y idea magazines all in one place. Super nice project!
Thank you!
Brilliant, and so creative. I have Christmas magazines I like to save for ‘someday’ projects!! One of these days I’ll actually get around to doing the projects, but this year I didn’t get to a single one. Happy New Year!!
I understand that problem all too well, Carole!! Happy 2018 to you, as well!
I love white wicker; it is my go-to color when wicker needs an update! The ribbon adds such a nice touch without making it too busy! How nice to have all your mags in one place without them getting all dog-earred.
Exactly!! Thank you so very much.
really sweet! I also store keeper magazines in a small picnic basket. Never thought of painting it though. I’ve seen so many baskets that had peeling paint, and I don’t want that to happen. don’t know how to avoid it either.
Hmmm, I’ve never had that happen with spray paint on baskets- but of course, I haven’t had any spray-painted baskets for more than 4-5 years.
I love this idea! There are a couple of these baskets in my stash. I see one more Christmas related project in the near future.
Woohoo!!! 🙂 Happy New Year, Sharon!
The little basket-suitcase is so cute I love your redo for it. I have seen similar in the past but not known what to do with them. So now I’m thinking in my craft room it could be used for keeping craft magazines, or die cut pieces or ribbon or even a pick up and go craft carrier-put your glue gun in, shears, tape, markers etc. Or it could hold bits and pieces of projects that you are working on. I’m still thinking—-:) Guess what I’m going to start looking for? And the more the cuter than plastic boxes!
So many possibilities!
Hi! I just discovered your blog and I adore it! Just thought I’d let you know. 🙂
I sincerely appreciate that, Bev- thank you so very much!
Super cute and clever idea, Sarah! Pinned to share 🙂
Thanks, Marie!!
What a clever use for this little basket suitcase! I am so awful about keeping the magazines I read that they really pile up and get disorderly. Maybe I will look for this type of thing to get them organized. I love the make-over with the paint and ribbon.
Right?? And I had Christmas mags in several different piles…SOOOO not helpful at all, LOL. Thank you so much, Naomi!
Oh, oh! Better start looking for a few more little suitcase-type baskets! Or maybe an old trunk. That’s what I think I will need to look for! Oh, wait, I have one of those in my basement! Wonder what’s in it. Ha, ha! Happy New Year!
Hahaha, happy 2018!!
Love it! I try to keep my favorite magazines sorted by season – this is a great way to do so! And it will look pretty. Now I just need to find the right containers…thanks again for great inspiration! Happy New Year!
Thank you, Cecilia- cheers to a wonderful 2018!
That is really a cute picnic basket and I love the way you re-purposed it! Perfect fo4 the Christmas mags!
Thank you so much!
Sadie I found a picnic basket; kind of a half round, about 5″ deep altogether. Chalky, dusty white with leather straps inside and a cloth lining. Right now it is holding my thrifted “fun fur” and eyelash type yarns–the small skeins fit perfectly stood on end! $3. I really like the idea of using thrifted/vintage containers to store supplies!