Monday, May 14, 2012

Painted Mailbox (Shoebox)

I am the most unorganized person when it comes to mail.  I seldom open usually don't open my mail until weeks or sometimes months after picking it up from the post office.  Of course this causes all kinds of problems, several of my bills that I pay annually, almost lapsed, i.e. life insurance & home insurance.    When I pay my utilities on line I always guess what I owe, I never know the exact amount until sometime after, once when I checked a bill I had a $120 credit!   However, another time I didn't realize my son's health insurance had been increase by $30.  I had to rush to bring the payments up to date to keep a claim from being denied...you can imagine my headaches.

What's the problem?  When I go to the post to pick up mail I take it home, stack it neatly in or on top of my desk and I leave it there.  Because I'm at a desk all day in the office, when I get home, my preference is to sit my weary behind on my sofa, I never remember think about my mail until later.

To make a long story short, I was talking to my younger sister Sharon about my mail dilemma; she listened for a sec and said "Why don't you paint a box, and put your mail in it and keep it in your Family Room.  On Saturday's when you're relaxing drinking your tea, you can take time to open your mail."  Duh, why didn't I think of that???

Luckily I had just purchased a pair of tennis so I grabbed the shoe box








I base coated it white; used brick red for the top coat






I transferred the letters MAIL BOX on top of it








Then painted in the letters and added stencils













Took my shiny gold clip-on earring (that I never wear)







And dirtied it with paint






It took me a while to decide on how I wanted to line my Mail Box.  Initially I was going to use some lining fabric I had, then I changed my mind and decided on burlap.  But then I remembered my older sister Teresa had sent me some items in a Whole Food Market bag.  I had been meaning to throw this bag away, but kept holding onto it.











It was Perfect! 







Boy am I glad I held onto the bag!

I didn't want the box to be glossy so I finished it off with a  matte varnish and then added a belt just in case I wanted to carry Mail Box around from room to room.





































Going forward, every Saturday, I'll be in my Family Room, resting my butt, while sipping my tea and opening my long overdue mail.







You wanna see all the mail I gotta open?






Even when you LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW you gotta get organized!

54 comments:

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

Another amazing transformation. I adore the birdie.

Perfectly Printed said...

Sherry, this is a really cute idea. I am pretty sure you are not the only one who struggles with mail and how to deal!!
Enjoy your Monday,
chris

Perfectly Printed said...

Sherry, this is a really cute idea. I am pretty sure you are not the only one who struggles with mail and how to deal!!
Enjoy your Monday,
chris

Anonymous said...

Very cute idea and so much fun!! I need to make one for my husband...boy does he need one;) Pinning this fun idea!

Maysem said...

I'm not sure if my comment went through the first time around... I tend to have issues leaving comments with my WP account for Blogspot blogs.

I love this idea.. it's so adorable and so much fun!! I need to make one for my husband because boy does he need something like this;) I will be pinning this!

Maysem @ odetoinspiration.wordpress.com

Maury @ Life on Mars said...

That looks great! I would never know that it was a shoebox... I love your design!

Gypsy Heart said...

Sherry, I love that you shared this! A dear friend and I are the only ones I've known that have a "Mail Disorder". LOL Seriously, I just hate to open mail! I pay most all my bills online or they are automatically deducted each month...car insurance, health insurance, etc. If I receive a card or letter, of course I open those! :-) Your box is adorable...great job. I hope that you'll let me know if you find it's working for you.

Pat

Anonymous said...

Hi Sherry! Have I told you, you are truly the smartest one? I think I have but I'm saying it again! This is a wonderful idea! Now the idea is great but look how you embellished that shoe box! It looks wonderful!
I really appreciate your visits.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

JoKnows said...

You are a genious Sherry! I hope this is the motivation that will help with your mail sorting! Joann

The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥ said...

you are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO awesome!!!! LOVE this project!!!!! sending tons of hugs your way!

Unknown said...

Really cut idea Sherry!
Hugs,
Loretta

Unknown said...

Sorry Sherry, I meant a really cute idea. Guess my finger slipped! Luv

Brandi said...

Sherry, WOW! This is such a neat idea! I have a few shoe boxes that I could use too.

Patty said...

Sherry, your projects are amazing, and to think you are turning a shoebox into such a masterpiece! I love it! This summer when I am off work I want to paint some things and may be consulting with you. :)

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

Great repurpose of a shoebox! I hope it works. :@

Roisin said...

Great idea! Mind if I steal it?

Unknown said...

What a fantastic project! It looks wonderful, love the clip on, and all the little extras. Great way to recycle! I'm now a follower!

Rhissanna said...

Wow, Sherry, I think this is my favourite of all your things. What a brilliant idea and anything that makes a tedious chore fun to do is a good thing. The earring as a knob for the front? Amazing!

And that's a lot of mail! Fan mail, huh? I get a lot of fan mail, too. The light people, the cell phone people, the internet people...

Debbiedoos said...

You are so funny Sherry. Who would think a creative gal with all your energy would forget to open the mail! Love your little red box and I hope this helps your dilemma:)

Unknown said...

fabulous post as usual
good blog

check my recent post and comment
http://glamorousgirlblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/beauty-uk-urban-jungle-nail-varnish.html

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That looks fabulous, Sherry! First of all, that was very smart of your sister to suggest that. It sounds like a great plan of action. Secondly, I just love how you dressed up that box! You'd never know it just held sneakers days before. : ) Great job!

Karah @ thespacebetweenblog said...

Sherry!!! This is so absolutely fabulous. Seriously awesome and creative. Love it!! :)

ღ Jans Life According To Milo ღ said...

I love your box, that is so great, if only the people who said to recycle that bag could see how creative you were with it! Your crafts really are amazing!

Erika said...

Wow! really nice, vibrant color, I love the red in contrast with the black, very good idea to recycle items, and it came out pretty well, I love it and the detail of the belt is awesome. Really beautiful.

Kammy's Korner said...

oh my goodness gracious, you are the best!

Karla Do More said...

I love this Sherry! It looks like an old painted wooden box. Don't think I could have guessed it was just a cardboard shoe box.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

On wow! Now that is one creative box. It's beautiful and a great way to keep track of your bills :)

Dee

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

Darn girl....you almost made getting bills fun!! What a great idea and a great project! Thank you for visiting my blog and following. I'm following you right back and looking forward to more! You go!

Vanessa said...

Hi, Sherry

This is a great project to keep your mail organize. Awesome

Vanessa

Nancy Elizabeth Carey said...

great way to recycle! love the wholefoods bag on the inside!! my husband works for wholefoods :)

xo nancy elizabeth

Claudine from ReStory.ca said...

LOL Sherry!!!
I ABSOLUTELY HATE MAIL, LOL!!!
What I do is to get it and separate immediately the junk from whatever else that needs to be read,. The junk goes to recycling at the same time. The bills go to a spot in the office and are all opened the same time: end of the month, when I pay them all online. The notices or letters or crds that need to be read go to the kitchen counter where I read immediately and toss or leave them there for "action" to be taken. But I am like you, it takes me a while to take them out of the mail box because I don't want to do all the steps above!Also once the bills are paid They are filed in an "accordion style" file labeled with the month.
I LOVE your mail box! What paint do you use? I don't understand how you can make show boxes look like wooden boxes!!!! Brilliant!

Unknown said...

OMG! I love this! What a cool re-do... I happen to have a shoe box in my sewing room... Following you back from Seams Sustainable. Thanks!

Jenn Gray said...

http://bythewayjenngray.blogspot.com/2012/04/telephone-table-chatting-bench-complete.html

Eclectically Vintage said...

This is definitely a "why didn't I think of that" moments! I'm in the same unorganized mail boat as you! Need to rummage thru my closet for the solution!

Love the liner too.
Kelly

Tina said...

Oh How cute your mailbox is! Great idea!

Beth said...

Sherry! That is such a cute box re-make! I don't think it would work for me, but I have finally found a system that works for me as long as no one else in my house touches the mail.

Even if I didn't need this for mail, it could still be used for some other purpose! The design and color is really pretty!

PAT said...

Cute idea!

Thanks so much for stopping by the Back Porch. I am clicking to Follow.:-)

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Sherry, thanks for stopping in at Quirky Vistas. So love that you gave yourself this little inspiration piece and the idea of a cup of tea to open mail by. Taking something you don't want to do and making it extraordinary is incredible. The little clasp and other details on the box, made this into a keeper. So cool! I'm following you now!
Liz

thistlewoodfarm said...

What a cute project! I love the lettering on the mailbox. I am not the most organized when it comes to bills, too!

blessings,
karianne

Small Holdings Farm said...

Thanks so much for your comment...your mail box is a great idea. I am now following you back. Sherron

Rose Jesky said...

I just love this idea. You have done a great job on that box, there is no way I would have guest it was a shew box. Thanks for inviting to you wonderful blog. I'm now following you back on GFC and Linky Followers. Also if like I would love it if you shared this at The Sunday Round Up linky I host every weekend.
Thanks again,
Rose @ http://www.arosiesweethome.com/

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Hi Sherry! After perusing many of your posts I have to say you are a very creative and talented lady! So many lovely ideas and projects. I have had a great time stopping by to visit with you!

Kindly, Lorraine

Unknown said...

I can't believe that started with a shoe box. Wow! Great idea on moving the mail where you hang out. Just popping in to let you know that Freedom Fridays is up and running, I would so love it if you would link up again this week. Looking forward to see you there!

Irish Italian Blessings said...

What a creative idea! I love it, Im also following you back now too!

Barbe @ Beez Rental Designs said...

Lady, you are by far the most imaginative person I've ever seen. There is no way you'd know that was a shoebox! The paper bag took it over the top. And how exactly did you attach the belt, I couldn't tell from the picture. I love looking to see what you'll come up with each week. -_*
By the way, Frugal Treasures party is still going on until Sunday. Hope you make it back.
Barbe

Mandy said...

Fabulous idea Sherry! It looks like a REAL WOODEN BOX. Thanks so much for sharing at Project Queen's Link Party.

Mary Neumann said...

Wow, what an AMAZING transformation - so darn CLEVER!!! LOVE THIS!!! So glad you stopped by my blog (sweet little bluebird) ~ I'm your newest follower! Cheers, Sherry - Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

maarnietvangrijs said...

Wow, great job!! Thank you for visiting my blog, I follow you back!

Jill @Two Yellow Birds Decor said...

What a cute idea! I love it!!! Great job! Thanks for inviting me over! I am a new follower of yours as well!
Jill
twoyellowbirdsdecor.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

What a great project! I need to make 2, one for me and one for D! I would love it if you would share it on my linky party Tout It Tuesday! http://www.claimingourspace.com/2012/05/tout-it-tuesday-7.html

The Kim Six Fix said...

What a great makeover. I never would have guessed that was a shoebox!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for sharing on Tout It Tuesday!

Unknown said...

Looks awesome! What a great idea. I always hang on to shoe boxes, jars, etc. in hopes of turning them into something amazing. Great use! Thanks again for stopping by my blog. I am following you now! :)

http://ofbabiesandbulldogs.blogspot.com/

AngieOuellette-Tower said...

That is so totally cool! - It really does look like a wooden mailbox!! Thanks for sharing on my celebration blog hop!
Angie
godsgrowinggarden.blogspot.com