Easy Breezy Wood Box

A few days ago I shared how to transfer an image from freezer paper to fabric.  As I had explained in that post, you can also transfer images to wood.  Therefore, I thought I'd share this project with you.

I started out with an old wooden box that looked like this...



I sanded it to removed the roughness and then added a coat of dark walnut Danish Oil...

I then mixed my "Sand Bar" paint with a bit of water, just to thin it slightly, and applied a coat to the box.  Once it was dry, I used my palm sander and 220-grit sandpaper to remove some of the paint to expose the wood grain.

I found this image when I did a "google" search for vintage laundry labels and I loved the colors so I thought it would be perfect for the look I was going for...

Next...I printed this image (remember to select "mirror image" on the printer) and printed it onto the waxy side of my reusable sheet of freezer paper.  It looked like this...

I then wiped the wood box surface with a damp rag and then placed the image face down onto the box.  Using the back of a spoon, I burnished the entire area until I thought the image had transferred.



I wanted the image to look like a worn label so I was very happy with the results.  If I wanted the image to be "solid" I would not have sanded the painted surface so heavy.

I then decided to add jute handles to the sides of the box, so I measured and drilled holes in the sides, cut two pieces of jute to length and added knots.  Thread and secured the jute in the holes.  Handles!

I liked the box, as is, however I wanted to "soften" it a bit so my final addition was a canvas liner which I made from some leftover painter's canvas.  I added the trim from leftover fabric I had used in my laundry room.

I don't know what I'm going to use this box for...all I know is it's new home will be the laundry room. 

I hope you will give this a try and, if you do, I'd love to see what  you come up with!  Thank you for stopping by...have a great weekend!

Lesa