After just coming off of a long holiday weekend, it can be hard to get back to a normal grind. Sometimes though, I’m aching to do a project and it isn’t long before I’m back at just to get it off my mind, and assure myself I could do what I was scheming.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, everyone needs a stash – a veritable selection of materials to “play” with, whether it be things like fabric, yarn, paint, furniture, or wood. You get the idea. I have a little of each, and this time I headed back to my wood stash.
I have plenty of spare furniture legs I mentioned here, pallet wood from here, barn wood from here, and new wood from Home Depot, my second home. This is only a small sampling of my collection, but plenty for me to play with.

One pile of wood in particular has been calling to me, and that is because my husband can’t stand it’s chippy-ness. A couple of years ago I sent him on an errand that I have somewhat regretted. I asked him to go take the siding off an old garage wall that was left after a lady paid some demo guys to complete the job. For some reason the left one wall laying on the ground and this door was there too.
I sort of regretted asking him to do that because it was a PAIN to remove. Not only that, but it was covered in chippy white paint (which is why I wanted it) and that drives him crazy. Isn’t he awesome for going to get it anyway?
Well, I was originally going to use it to create a planked wall somewhere and make crafts, but baby came along and put a hold on that. So it wasn’t until last summer that I found this wooden tote at a garage sale for a couple of bucks. I chuckled to myself, ” tsk. I could build this, easy.”
I purchased it and stuck it in my shop where it sold in no time. So ever since I wanted a go at it. Thankfully, this holiday weekend afforded me that chance.
After grabbing some barn wood, siding and a few baby crib rail spindles I recently scored out of the trash, I set to work.
Just to show you that you don’t need a whole lotta tools to make this wooden tote, I only needed my drill, jigsaw
, and brad nailer (you could even use a drill or hammer and nails too, if you don’t have a nailer).
Since my handle was going to be the crib spindle, I set my measurement to be the length of the spindle. To create those peaked ends like my inspiration tote, I first folded a piece of paper in half lengthwise, and cut a domed shape in equal sides. Then I traced it onto cardboard so I would have a sturdy template to use over and over – I have a bunch of that siding and spindles!
After cutting the sides out of barn wood, I cut the siding to length. (Can I just say I am so stinkin’ excited it’s summer and I can work OUTSIDE!! Yay!)
Since the crib rail spindles are already set to go into a hole, I just mark a centered spot of the end pieces and drill the same size hole so the handle will go in snug. You can also just use a piece of wood like the inspiration tote and either nail or screw it on.
So rustically chippy, and ready for anything you can dream up – a centerpiece with flowers, a utensil holder for a wedding or party, art supplies…the possibilities are endless!! Can you tell I have a thing for totes and caddys?
I had fun creating this versatile project and know that you can do this too. All you need is some basic wood. And just so you know, even new wood and a dowel works – use a sunbleached stain to create that time-worn feel, then give a wash of white paint to create texture.
And if you’d rather not, you can have one from my shop, ready-made.
There’s other custom goodness available in my shop too…
Pottery Barn Knock-Off Trunk
Bathtub Trays
Rustic Bench
Farmhouse Soap Holder
I hope you enjoyed this sweet project and would love it if you shared so others can find it too!
More rustic goodness for you:
25 Comments
The tote is adoable. The crib spindle is a great idea.
July 6, 2015 at 8:09 amThanks! I have so many ideas for my stash, it’s just a matter of finding the time. sigh… 😀
July 6, 2015 at 10:19 amLarissa, you were supposed to be enjoying your 4th and not brain working! lol but alas, I have been doing the same!
July 6, 2015 at 8:29 amGreat caddy and tutorial!
Hope your 4th of July was great.
Have a fantastic Monday!
Hope
Girl, I need a break for sure, but it’s also therapeutic to work with your hands AND be in the sun. 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
July 6, 2015 at 10:18 amAhh, I love everything about it! Perfectly chippy, no matter what Mr. Prodigal Pieces says. 😉
July 6, 2015 at 8:44 amHe’s so funny and gets it, but doesn’t like it as much as he likes glitter or bubbles. tee hee.
July 6, 2015 at 10:18 amReally very rustic and nice and handy… should I go on?? Now what about those great tools of yours, can I borrow them? 😉
July 6, 2015 at 8:49 amAbsolutely! My motto is “Tools over jewels.” 😉
July 6, 2015 at 10:17 amlove the handle especially!
July 6, 2015 at 9:19 amSo funky fun, isn’t it, Gwen? Thank you.
July 6, 2015 at 10:17 amSo perfect! And millions of uses!
July 6, 2015 at 11:03 amThanks, Ellen! Yes, there are so many uses for totes in general and I think that’s why I love them so.
July 7, 2015 at 7:13 amLove it Larissa and yup, the chippy goodness adds so much character to the tote!
July 6, 2015 at 11:57 amCan’t go wrong with chippy! 😀
July 7, 2015 at 7:13 amI love this Larissa! I couldn’t believe when I saw it because I just finished making one of my own 🙂 http://charmingimperfections.com/2015/06/shabby-chic-tool-crate-diy.html
July 6, 2015 at 10:06 pmI love how yours turned out!
Your crate is awesome! Any wooden storage does it for me. 😉
July 7, 2015 at 9:53 amLarissa., I couldn’t be more in love with our scrappy toolbox if I tried! Glad the hubby was so resistant to the wood! haha This project is perfection and is being featured on Party Junk this upcoming weekend. 😉
July 16, 2015 at 6:11 pmHee hee…yes, he still shakes his head when he looks at the pile, but I’ve got more planned to convince him it’s a gold mine. Thanks for the feature, Donna!
July 17, 2015 at 7:02 am[…] Laurel made some great use of picket points to create some pretty cute arrows. But she didn’t use a stencil… read how you can instantly make these too! Reclaimed wood toolbox by Prodigal Pieces […]
July 17, 2015 at 10:01 pmI love all your projects! This is so delightfully chippy and just perfect!
August 2, 2015 at 9:45 pmThanks for stopping by, Jill. You and I know chippy is best! 😀
August 3, 2015 at 6:40 amThat is great idea to use crib spindle and it must have saved your millions of hours and energy.I am sure you can use tote in many ways and with these simple instructions you can make out one easily with no time at home in an economical way.
March 15, 2016 at 2:41 amThank you, Richard!
March 15, 2016 at 10:02 amNice job I love using spindle handles too… the chippiness is perfect 🙂 You have some great stash of wood in your garage!
April 22, 2016 at 7:35 amThanks, girl! I just pulled a Jenny Lind style crib from the curb during city cleanup, so it looks like I won’t be running out anytime soon! 😉
April 25, 2016 at 3:19 pm