Picnic Caddy Tutorial - March of the Ants

Hi friends... Its Katie here today after a little break :)  I hope you enjoyed all those great sneak peeks - Wowee, lots of fabulous new stamps to choose from. 

     As you know... we are in prime picnic time and that is the theme that I went with while creating this caddy for you.  I love how this turned out and I have to be honest with you and say that this one little tiny ant stamp ( only $1.00 ) made the whole project.  BUT, there is a lot of potential with this one.  I love the fact that this is "real" and totally usable for just about any occasion and just depends on the theme you want to use it for.

So here we go!

Adhesive
Scissors
Paper Cutter
SU Punch
Ink
Clear Dollar Ant stamp
Copic Marker
Cardstock
Ruler
Scor-pal
Scor-tape
Corner Rounder

Start with a 12x12 piece of cardstock and score all sides at 3 1/2"

Fold up into your basic box.

Now its time for the fun part.  I didn't have any "picnic" table cloth looking cardstock so I created my own.  I grabbed a copic marker that matched up to the red cardstock I was using and got out my very neglected quilting ruler.  I liked this ruler because it is clear and will give you perfectly straight lines.  I have a smaller one somewhere but couldn't find it, so I used my larger version.

Trick is to start in the middle or so and line up the edge of your cardstock to one of the lines of your ruler.

Use the chisel end of your Copic Marker, narrow side down to create a thinner line and then turn to create a thicker line.  Just keep moving your ruler your chosen amount of distance.  I moved mine over 1" at a time.

You don't have to have the perfect distance every time as you can see from my sample.  I created a 12x12 sheet, but you could do smaller pieces individually if you wished.

Now, its just a matter of cutting all your sides and mats.

4 Black (base) - 4 3/4" x 3 1/4"
4 Red (middle) - 4 5/8" x 3 1/8"
4 Plaid (top) - 4 1/2" x 3"

Then I took that little ant stamp and stamped them in a "marching" line formation.  Make sure to number your pieces of cardstock  so you know what order you want to put them on your caddy.  This is to assure that your "line" of ants stay in line.

 

Then adhere all your pieces together.  Again, remember to transfer your numbers to each completed section.

 

Now adhere to the sides of your box.

 

Now for your handle.

Cut 2 pieces of cardstock measuring 5" x 8 1/2".

Score both pieces in at 2 1/2" along the 5" side.

 

Now this is the way I created a mark to guide my punch for the handle.  I used my Scor-pal grooves to create scores and center my mark so I would then have a guide to my punch.  You could do the same with a ruler and pencil, but since I had the scor-pal out anyway... I used the 1/2" mark on the scor-pal and went 1/2 way down.  You don't have to be precise here.

I then turned so that the top of the handle is upright.  This is where you create the exact center intersection point.

 

Now, I have my guide.

 

Once one piece was punched, I just layered that piece of my second piece and punched again.  Remember to use your corner rounder at this time just at your handle corners.  I then placed both pieces together and glued them leaving the "feet" flaps open.

Next, you will apply adhesive to your "feet" ***Remember to do a dry fit though since there is always a little bit of difference between cardstocks***

Then just insert and press down firmly.

 

Now time for the inserts.  You will need 2 pieces of cardstock measuring 3 7/16" x 7 1/2"

Score along the left and right (long sides)  1/2" in.

Along the shorter side, score at 1/2", 3 1/2", 4" and 7"

 

Fold and cut away all small square flaps AND apply adhesive only on HALF of the flaps (as shown in picture below)

Fold over and press. 

 

Cut 2 small strips of your picnic cloth paper measuring 2" x 1/2" and stamp your ants.  Adhere to the top of the 2 boxes.

 

Wrap some Scor-tape along the sides and bottom of your inserts and position where you would like them.

 

 

And there you go!  Final measurements for your picnic caddy are 5" deep, 5" wide, and 3 1/2" tall.  This is seriously a generous size and it may be hard to tell from the picture, but there is plenty of room for more plasticware in each compartment.  Its very sturdy since I layered the cardstock on the sides.

I hope you are inspired and would like to thank you for coming to visit!  Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday! 

This is Katie signing off for Clearly iStamp.

Comments

[Yuri]

I love it... thinking of making this for my son's birthday party and just change the theme... Thanks

[Cindy Close]

I truly love this caddy, but what I love bestest was the plaid paper you made with copics. That idea rocks....

[Mary]

Thank you so much for developing and sharing this tutorial! What an awesome idea. Can hardly wait to try this one! I can think of tons of uses for a container like one.

Blessings!

[Trisha]

I just discovered you, and this is so cute and so versatile. Thank you for making this tutorial and sharing this idea. I'm going to make this in a fall theme for the dessert table.

Trisha

[Cindy]

Thank you so much for doing this for us! I love it and am going to use your template for a Frappuccino carrier....may have to adjust the dimensions a bit.

You are too sweet!
Cindy

[rebecca]

this is such a versatile caddy....thanks for sharing...

[diane mcvey]

That is absolutely FANTASTIC!!! I LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing the directions...you are amazing! :D

[Michelle H]

This is adorable! Thanks for the great tutorial too.

I've awarded this blog the Lovely Blog award. You can view it and the details here: http://mhoffman-atimetostamp.blogspot.com/2009/07/lovely-blog-award.html

Have a great day!

[Janice Webb]

Katie, I just wanted to let you know that I made a picnic caddy following your instructions.

My caddy can be viewed at:

www.sunnysideofcrafting.com

Thanks for such a fantastic tutorial!!!!

[Nancy Grant]

Amazing tutorial. Thanks so much!!!
:-)

[Sheila San Martin]

Oh My Goshes! I can't wait to make this for all my parties. The theme possiblities are endless! I look forward to seeing what treat you have created is waiting for me in my inbox every morning! Thanks for all your fabulous creations!

[Kelsie]

That is the most adorable container - and that little ant!! - wowzers!! I would never have thought to put straws in it! Thank you for another great idea!

[Mel M. M. M.]

WOWza! This is amazing. I'll be in ANTicipation until I can make one myself. heehee. Thanks so much for sharing all the great details of how you made this. What a work of art! :O)

[Karinn]

Wow! Each time I think you've created the cutest thing ever, you go and make something else just as awesome!! This is too cute! I totally love the way you made the plaid paper and (and showed us how too!) and that ant stamp!!!

[Debbie Fisher]

This is soooo cool! I am definitely making of of these today! Maybe even two. I have 36 people coming this weekend for a BBQ and I was trying to figure out what to put the table service items in! Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial!

I don't have the ant, but will figure something out. Ü

[Lisa Lara]

Katie, this is adorable. Wow. Super tutorial. Thank you. You do an awesome job.

[Jamie S.]

that is so cute, TFS. i may have to do it for our 4th of july BBQ

[Stacy SCS Twinshappy]

Totally cute! I am so making one of these! Awesome job!

[Tammy]

Fantastic!

[Heidi Reed]

This is soo cool!

[Ryann Salamon]

This is fabulous Katie!

[Tricia T.]

Katie!! This is fabulous! Thanks for sharing. I've bookmarked it to try later!

[Shawna]

How cute is that?!?!?! I love the little ant. Great project Katie!

[Cassie]

Great tutorial, Katie! I may have to give this a try ;D

[Stephanie]

This is SO fantastic!!! Hmmm...I might change the theme up and create a pencil caddy for on the tables in my classroom. TSMFS!!