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One birdie's attempt to figure things out. Oh, and crafts.

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House of Card…Board Boxes

October 26, 2010 by Michele

This is a little house made of cardboard boxes. I made it 4 years ago as a Christmas gift for my little one and I’m always surprised at how well it’s holding up and how long it’s been kicking around.
I remember being quite proud of the little Victorian house design (and I still am!) and the fact that I used only stuff from around the house to build it. I chose not to put a door on it for safety’s sake (he was two when I built it) and also because I didn’t want to deal with hinges. Lazy…
My main construction material: a couple of large cardboard boxes of course. And I recall using LOADS of my husband’s good carpenter’s glue as an adhesive. I worked in steps over the course of a week, taking my time with all the measurements. Whenever I glued on pieces, I clamped them together with painter’s masking tape – you know the kind that’s not too sticky – to let the glue set and then removed the “clamps” once the glue was dry.
I used old house paint with an eggshell finish to paint the thing so I can actually wash the walls which is pretty neat. And yes, I’ve actually washed the walls.

To make the house sturdy I did a couple of things. One: I glued “mouldings” at every joint (even in the attic). And two: I faced both the outside and the inside of the window frames with a window cut-out.
I used a thrifted piece of aqua-coloured vinyl for the floor. The leftover pieces of vinyl I cut into curlicues and glued to the walls for a decorative touch.
I used craft paper (you know the brown stuff used for covering packages), rolled it up into thin rolls and then flattened out the rolls to make a thin moulding for the outer edge of the roof peak.

The boy doesn’t play in it anymore but it still resides in his room. He now uses it as a lovely place to store his beloved stuffed animals.
I think the animals are happy in their colourful little home. It’s a nice place they’ve got there!
P.S. Here is a link with plans for an alternative cardboard house at Make Baby Stuff.

Filed Under: kids, paper crafts, reuse Tagged With: cardboard box, crafts, home decor, painting, recycling, storage

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy says

    October 26, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Love the little house with the babies inside!!!

  2. Mami Made It says

    October 26, 2010 at 9:02 pm

    Fantastic!

  3. the 30 girl says

    October 26, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    Oh my, this is awesome!!! How cool that you made that!

  4. Ariane says

    October 26, 2010 at 10:03 pm

    Oh! I'm so glad you shared this with us finally. It's one of my favorite things that you have made.

  5. Amy says

    October 26, 2010 at 10:33 pm

    I can't believe that it has survived so well! That's amazing! I have never made one that was reinforced though. It's fabulous! My kids love cardboard box creations.

  6. Saraccino says

    October 26, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    Oh, I love it! And it is one of the most beautiful play houses I have ever seen 🙂

  7. Notjustnat says

    October 26, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    omg, this is gorgeous! Specially with that crochet rug – Cutes Hugs Nat

  8. Poppyprint says

    October 27, 2010 at 1:40 am

    Holy, you make the coolest stuff! That is an amazing house. My kids were lucky if I could carve out a door and a window from a cardboard box.

  9. Zaira says

    October 27, 2010 at 2:21 am

    that's really cute! Here I thought our fridge box with a couple holes cut out for a door and window was genius! lol

  10. Mascottblog says

    October 27, 2010 at 7:28 am

    Comme toujours , une superbe création !!!!!

  11. Catherine says

    October 27, 2010 at 9:55 am

    What amazing detail you put into this cute little house! Puts my effort to shame whichb was to cut 2 windows and a door into a large box that our new washing machine came in when my eldest was 3 years. She loved it though especially as I let her draw all over it.

  12. Dixie Mom says

    October 27, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    So darling and so creative…found you on Someday Crafts…

  13. Catch A Falling Star says

    October 27, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    It is adorable!
    I love all the fun colors!
    Thanks for sharing!

  14. Carri says

    October 27, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    Very creative and kudos for putting enough time and effort into it – made to last!

  15. Robin says

    October 27, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    Very cute! I love that it is still around.

  16. FineArtPainting says

    October 27, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    here's another place to link up this little beauty on our blog's linky party! I love this. And how timely: perfect for rainy days … and snowy days… to play in this!

    Rose
    http://www.FineCraftGuild.com

  17. Melissa says

    October 28, 2010 at 5:13 am

    Holy Buckets – that is absolutely out of this world. I am glad you shared all the details of how you made it that made it sturdier.

  18. Amber says

    October 28, 2010 at 6:04 pm

    I remember the best present ever was a basement full of boxes. We played with them for months.

    If you want come on over and link this up to my reuse challange linky party it will even get you an extra entry to the giveaway tomorrow.

    Amber
    http://www.lifelovegreen.com/2010/10/green-challenge-reuse-week-4

  19. Karatootie says

    October 28, 2010 at 6:32 pm

    Seriously…this has to be the cutest thing I have seen all day. I want one!!

    Hugs! Ingrid
    karatootie.blogspot.com/

  20. Jenny @ Embellishing Life says

    October 28, 2010 at 7:25 pm

    Wow! You are creative!! I never would have thought that was made of cardboard!!! It's so nicely made and pretty! I would love plans for this if you ever have them available…my munchkins would love it.

  21. PEACHES says

    October 28, 2010 at 8:05 pm

    UNBELIEVABLE!! I can hardly believe that came from a cardboard box. WOW. OH WOW.

    We used to make forts out of boxes but they sure as heck never came out anywhere near as impressive as this. I need to try making one on a small scale for my cat. She will love it!

  22. Condo Blues says

    October 29, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    Brilliant! I love it. I'd like a bigger one for myself 🙂

  23. Samantha says

    October 29, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    That is so cute! I can't believe it has held up so well, amazing!

  24. CraftyMummy says

    October 30, 2010 at 5:08 am

    Beautiful house! I like the idea that he stills uses it to store toys in his room too.

  25. Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming says

    October 31, 2010 at 1:50 am

    Super cute! I love every little detail, especially the shingles. You have done an amazing job! Hope you are enjoying your weekend! ~ Stephanie Lynn

  26. Moe says

    November 1, 2010 at 1:41 am

    Oh wow, this is so cute! I want to make one just to have it. LOL
    popping by from m.m.m on C.R.A.F.T.

  27. creativejewishmom.com says

    November 1, 2010 at 7:57 am

    so sweet! I'm also amazed how well it has fared over time…I guess your little one didn't try climbing on the roof much! thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

  28. Kristen @ ladybug-blessings.com says

    November 3, 2010 at 7:07 am

    that is SO cute! I love it! And how long it has held up! If you have time I'd love for you to come link up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings next Tuesday! http://www.ladybug-blessings.com

  29. Katie's Nesting Spot says

    November 3, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    This is just adorable! What little kid wouldn't love to "live" there!

  30. Abbi says

    November 8, 2010 at 12:11 am

    That is adorable! Several years ago my sons and I made a cardboard barbie house for my daughter and we used similiar methods in reinforcing it and it is still holding up great too though it has been well played with. Cardboard really works well.

  31. Kimbo West @ a girl and a glue gun says

    November 14, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    I featured this at my blog today

    kimboscrafts.blogspot.com

  32. Michelle L. says

    December 8, 2010 at 12:37 am

    Hey! How did I miss this? Just found it via Peaches. This is too amazing, it has all your delicate touches of sweetness. What a lovely creation!

  33. Gośka says

    January 13, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Well, I would be interested in a printable plan for the little house:) A house is great:)

  34. ≼mE aNd mY tℎrIfTy IdEaS≽ says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    I have been reading your blog for over an hour now so there is no way that I could leave without telling you that I am so incredibly inspired after seeing all your crafty goodness and out of the box ideas. I am your newest follower and am so happy I found you today. You are awesome. Period. 🙂

  35. Anonymous says

    January 30, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    I am very interested in a printable plan for the little house! My grandaughter will be coming for a visit from Germany soon, and I know she will absolutely love this.
    Thank you so much!

    treskat428@hotmail.com

  36. Becky says

    September 27, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    What brand are the cute stuffed animals in your house?

    • Michele Pacey says

      October 6, 2012 at 1:37 pm

      We've since donated these little guys so I have no idea what brand they are. Sorry about that Becky!

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