Covering boxes

My girls were surprisingly impressed with this, so I thought I would post it. I'm a box-oholic. I have so many collected bits and pieces that I have to order them in some way, and as I have "More Sense than Money", I collect any nice boxes that I see. Sometimes I cover them nicely and elevate their status. Here's a bit of how-to.

Use found boxes that are sturdy to make your efforts worthwhile.
Little dividers inside are useful, so everything isn't all in a pile, depending on what you are storing, of course. I use scrap cardboard cut into strips and cut little slits halfway into it, along its length.
You get the idea. (?)

I wanted to be able to see into the box without having to open it, as I have a lot of similar boxes so I cut windows into the lid. Mark windows in pencil:

Cut them out with a craft/Stanley knife.

When it comes to decoration, I tend to cave as far as the recycling thing goes, and use new materials. I like using sticky-backed vinyl paper (called Contact here in South Africa) because it's easy to wipe, stays clean, sticks by itself and is long-wearing.

Cut out a piece of Contact big enough to go over all sides and into the lid. Stick it on top.

Make holes in the windows and cut out enough to it can be folded over. Fold over every flap.

Cut out a piece of clear, stiff platic or acetate. I use laminating waste from our Graphic Services Unit - they have a big box they throw their waste into, which people are welcome to come and pick from. I collect rolls of the stuff: it's clear, very strong and a fantastic craft material. It's also a good book cover to protect school books that get re-used every year and get VERY worn. It is VERY transparent in the photo below and you can only see it because the light from the flash reflects off it.
Glue the laminate onto the inside of the lid, covering all the joins. I use Bostik clear glue for this, as I find glue sticks aren't generally strong enough for this.

Weigh it down for a short while, to make sure the glue touches everywhere. Not too long, as there may be unwanted glue seepage!

And there you are - a beautiful box in which to keep your treasures, for the cost of the Contact and a bit of glue.