I don’t really hate winter. I actually don’t mind winter so much because of how great our spring, summer and fall are around here. What I don’t like, however, is when the snow doesn’t melt in between storms and it just piles up and piles up. There is nowhere for it to go! We got at least 12 inches yesterday – on top of the 4 or 5 from Saturday night. It was crazy.
Seriously Mother Nature. There is no more room. No. more. room.
.
Note the Mardi Gras flag!! Partay this weekend 😀
The thing I dislike most about winter is the really cold days and now we are going to be really, really cold for the next few days. So this snow is going nowhere for a while. Just no more, please.
Anyway, on to the fun stuff. I am starting the process of lining the inside of the trunk. A lot of times you see these trunks with just the exposed wood, which is fine, but I think this is a good trunk for storage and having a cloth liner will keep from catching blankets or clothes on any splinters or nail edges. I can see why people don’t line them as it is a little time consuming.
First, get some fabric and thin poster board. I used 3 of the big pieces of posterboard at Joann Fabrics (79 cents a piece). I also used 3 yards of fabric.
Measure the sides of the trunk and cut the posterboard 1/4 inch shorter than that (to account for fabric). You do need to be fairly precise with measurements unless you put a border around the corners (which would look cool with a contrasting fabric).
That notch on the side is for the tray support. Now take some spray adhesive and lightly spray one side of the posterboard. Do spray lightly. If you get wet spots, that will show through on the fabric (ask me how I know). Then lay the sticky side down on the reverse side of the fabric:
Now you need to fold over the edges and glue them down. I find it is easier to cut the fabric in sections so it folds over without getting bunched up. I used tacky glue for this part. The spray adhesive would be too messy for this.
Now you have a nice fabric panel!
The nice thing about the posterboard is that it gives support to the fabric to make it easy to work with, yet is really flexible and thin:
Now spray the inside of the trunk with spray adhesive *and* the back of the panel and press it into place. Be careful to line it up well before letting it touch as it is hard to adjust after the fact.
I also put in some small tacks (about 8 of them) along the top edge of the fabric panel. Even though it is glued in place, lifting the tray in and out might cause it to come apart at the very top over time. So, I put in the tacks to secure it forever. You can’t even see them with this fabric, either. Anyway, you will do the other sides and then the bottom. My advice is to not cut out the posterboard for the bottom until you have all 4 side panels done. That way you will get a more accurate measurement since the panels will make the inside dimensions ever so slightly smaller.
I am liking how this looks so far. Once the lining is done, I will be attaching the original lithographs, which I was able to save:
There are 2 of these, which I refer to as ‘the ladies’ and I kind of have been calling the trunk “The Lady”. I need to start naming my trunks because there are now 3 in the house!
You are turning into a professional trunk restorer.
That is way too much snow!!!
I love bringing old things back to life!
Great step-by-step instructions for the trunk – thanks! I may just turn ours into a usable object…well, I pile comforters on top of it now, but getting to store things inside would be pretty sweet.
Dang, that is so much snow! Too much.
It’s not that bad lining the trunk. I think you could use a regular glue or just tacks and not use the spray adhesive. I think I might do that next time.
That is so cool that you were able to save those labels. I’m wondering if all your wallpaper experience helped you with that?
I don’t know if that helped or not LOL! I took patience to remove the lithographs, but I really wanted to try to save them. It involved getting the wet and slowly lifting them up.
very cool! (and I see now it’s gray & black or navy blue, not black and white. You could even make cafe curtains out of that fabric!)
It is black with a grayish blue. I think my camera brings out more of the navy than is really there.
wow THE LADY is awesome!!!
I need to tap into your craftyspirit and motivation here as well.
Ive stagnated in the redos already.
Those ladies are very cool. It’s neat to be able to keep them as they are over 100 years old!
I don’t curse on blogs nor do I much in real life but when I saw your huge pile of snow, I cursed without speaking loud. You got so much snow, unbelievable for me nor did I ever (for I can remember) see so much snow myself. I sure hope warmer days without snow are on it’s way. Hang in there and stay warm.
The trunk starts to look good, can’t wait to see the finished product.
That made me laugh. I swear enough in real life for both of us, Fran – so you are covered 😀
The trunk is looking so nice. Amazing work!
It’s funny how you have so much snow, but your city can function and we get a dusting and it shuts everything down. I’ve lived two places that aren’t prepared to remove snow, because it doesn’t fall often, and it’s almost vexing to have snow because life has to stop for a few days while roads get cleared slowly.
Hope you get a break from th snowfall.
Well, we are used to snow up here and they do a great job to keep us functioning, really. It’s just problematic when there isn’t anywhere to put the stuff.
Awesome work on the trunk, Lori. The shadows on the pictures made me think that Batman is watching over you as you work. Sorry, that’s where the mind goes when you’re mom to two geek sons who just happen to be art teachers and graphic artists. Then again, can it be bad to have Batman watching over you? Or maybe he’s been watching over “The Ladies”. Vigilante’s beware–this trunk is monitored and protected. 😉
Well, I am working in the basement, so who knows what (or who) is lurking down there 😀
The things you have patience for amazes me. I guess some of that comes with the creativity/craft gene that I do not have.
This is that creative outlet that I need. I love bringing things back to life. I feel kind of protective of things that are unloved and want to show how they just need a little attention. Is that a life metaphor, maybe?
You and Boston – craziness!!!! I remember one winter like that from my childhood & would could not get out for over a week!
You need our own DIY home show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE the lithograph! And the trunk overall! And Mother Nature, knock it off! (think she’ll listen to me?) Have a good day Lorie!
I’ve always wondered if Aleene (of glue fame) is fabulously wealthy now, or if she sold out too early. 🙂
Maybe she and Elmer ran away together…
That lithograph is amazing!
That trunk is turning out amazing! You should really start an Etsy shop!
The lithograph gives a sense of the story behind the trunk.
Can you say bbbrrrr to those cold temperatures?
These cold temps coming? Ridiculous!!