HANDY HELPER

Construct a tool caddy that’s as adorable as it is convenient. “I really wanted to come up with a cute garden tote idea,” René shares, knowing from experience that a trip out to the garden often means carrying various tools and supplies. A well-worn cutting board purchased at a thrift store for $2 set this plan into motion. To craft your own garden caddy, paint and distress a cutting board and a wood base as desired. René employed scrap wood as the base and applied chalkboard paint to the cutting board for notes. When dry, predrill holes in the bottom edge of the cutting board and the centerline of the base. Enlist a helper to hold the pieces while you drill. To assemble, ask your helper to hold the cutting board flat on the edge of a workbench while you position the base and drive in screws from the base’s bottom. Experiment with different sizes of metal cans to hold supplies. René discovered that three 24-ounce food cans fit well on each side of her carrier. Empty and wash the cans, smooth out any sharp edges, and then coat the metal inside and out with spray paint. Once dry, adhere washi tape or decorative decals to the cans and to the caddy itself. Secure the cans to the base with construction adhesive.

To see more clever ways to decorate with metal cans, turn to “Verdant Moss Vase” on page 101 and “Birds on a Wire” on page 103.