Park your stuff!

Project nineteen is a great gift for anyone, man or woman- a valet! If you don't know, a valet is simply a box you put your jewelry, wallet, change or anything that might come out of your pocket at the end of the day. We did two different styles. Let us know which one is your favorite!

Here's what you'll need to complete this project:

• Wood box
• Paint
• Water
• Plastic cup
• Paint brushes
• Scissors
• Glue
• Fabric
• Safety lighter

First, make sure your wood box is clean and dry.

Blend a small amount of paint with enough water to make a thin mixture.

Spread thinned paint on top of box, making sure to fill any indention.

Once the top is covered, use a dry paint brush to dab off any excess paint.

Allow to dry completely before going on to the next step.




With a long, safe lighter, burn the top of the box to accent.

Here is how the top looks completed, now on to the inside.

Fit your fabric to the inside of the box.

Cut off any excess fabric before applying glue.

Carefully, one side at a time, apply multi-purpose glue

to the inside edge of the box and hold in place to secure.

This is our first completed valet box!

Now, here's what you'll need to complete our next valet:

• Regular white glue
• Multi-purpose glue
• Scissors
• Paint brush
• Fabric (for the inside)
• Plastic cup
• Wood cigar box
• Tissue paper
• Utility knife
• Scrapbook paper
  

For a change, we decoupage the exterior of the box.

Mix white glue with a little water.

The mixture should be thin.

Cut your tissue in pieces small enough to cover the sides and top of your box.

One piece at a time, paste on to the box.

Once you paste on the last piece, allow to dry completely.

When the box is dry, use a utility knife to carefully cut

along the edge so you can open the box.

For the inside, we repeated the fabric inlay and did a custom

framed quote on the inside lid.

Here's our completed cigar valet box...

...and what we spent on this project:

• Multi-purpose glue (Walmart, $1/tube, about a quarter used) - $.25
• White glue (any store) - $.25
• Boxes: cigar (recycled)- free and carved (Dollar Tree) $1.00
• Fabric: scraps (recycled) - free (approximately $1.50 value)
• Tissue paper (recycled) - free (approximately $1.00 value)
• Scrapbook paper: approximately $.25
• Household items: scissors, utility knife, lighter, paint brushes, plastic cup.

Total of our 2 valet boxes: $1.75

Many times, it is hard to come up with a practical men's gift that you can make, but the valet box is a grand slam! It can be customized for the man (or woman) in your life so that they think of you every day. Park your stuff here, mister...