At this time of year, we go through a lot of clementines in our home – leaving us with a ton of left over crates. Here are a few projects you can try if you are finding yourself torn, like I am, between tossing these charming little crates and saving them.
I painted the outer sides of this crate with chalkboard paint - now it's a caddy to hold napkins, sugar and a silly message.
I lightly sanded the outside and painted with a few coats of chalkboard paint.
You could also use a clementine crate as a planter. Give this gift with a stick of chalk.
Line the crate with tin foil, fill with soil, add plants, and poke drainage holes into the bottom.
These chalkboard place cards were made from the triangular posts of a clementine crate.
There are four of these pieces on each crate - you'll need two crates to make 8 place cards.
Using pliers, remove staples from clementine crate to release corner posts.
Quickly sand each post to smooth the edges.
Of the three sides to each post, one is the largest - paint that side with chalkboard paint.
Deconstructing the clementine box allowed me to use all of the parts for even more projects.
I cut an end panel in half, sanded the edges and gave it a few coats of chalkboard paint to create a gift tag that can be reused.
Just drill two small holes into the top corners and thread a piece of jute through - tie ends with knots to secure.
Left over panels were given a few coats of chalkboard paint to create a silly sentence puzzle for a fun moment at the breakfast table with my kids.
We’re listening to Bjork today.
Mariolonza
January 2, 2011 at 4:01 pm
But your great idea! I absolutely have to do it myself!
For this Christmas I have also used a clementine crates … to contain some baskets of felt that I had made to order.
If you want, you can find my clementine crates here:
http://mariolonza.com/2010/12/16/tanti-ingredienti-ed-un-frullato-dolcissimo/
Ciao!
Mariolonza
camilla
January 2, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Mariolonza -Bellissima! Grazie! Camilla
AJ Tarrant
January 2, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Camilla,
Love your newest ideas. Thanks for sharing them once again.
AJ
Molly
January 4, 2011 at 8:20 pm
I am enamored with chalkboard paint, and am thrilled to discover these new ideas of yours! I especially love the gift tag. Thank you for sharing 🙂
camilla
January 4, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Thanks Molly – I can’t stop using the stuff – it can transform any old thing into something cool and useful! 🙂 Thanks for commenting – Happy New Year! – Camilla
Charlotte
January 6, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Love love love this idea! I have one of these crates for fruit and veg – so gonna get painted tomorrow!
Blue Skies
Charlotte xo
creativejewishmom/sara
January 24, 2011 at 12:58 am
Hi Camilla, I am absolutely thrilled to have found your blog…..filled with creativity and amazing ideas that are right up my alley!. I have a weekly blog linking party that I’d love for you to join, we have a great regular group together with whomever else stops by, and there’s always tons of inspiration from the features from the previous week. I’m going to add your lampshade bowls to the party this week, but of course I’d love it if you’d drop by and link to some more great projects….the crates, the dented cans, the lightbulbs…all amazing. I had actually wanted to send you an email rather than leaving a comment but couldn’t find an address. all the very best and hope we can connect! Sara
Pet Tags
January 30, 2011 at 10:50 am
I like the idea of making gift tags. This will be super cute next Christmas. I can hardly wait.
NÃtdia
February 3, 2011 at 12:06 pm
I really love your ideas!
Posted here
camilla
February 3, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Thank you Nitdia!
Lindsey
February 16, 2011 at 9:03 am
So cool. I just posted about turning a clementine box into a coffee station in my kitchen. I linked to you!
Emily W.
February 16, 2011 at 11:19 am
I love this idea!!! 🙂
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Lori
January 11, 2012 at 11:20 pm
You have such original ideas…thank you 😉
Samantha
February 19, 2012 at 2:10 am
Happened across your blog with Stumbleupon. Just had to say thanks for the ideas! I didnt even know about chalkboard paint until now, and immediately went on Amazon to get some!