I had an idea for a crafty project early this morning and on my way through the garage to my studio to grab some Mod Podge, I nearly tripped over an old box I’ve kicked around for years. I used to think it was some kind of ballot box because of the slits in the lid, but when dusting it out this morning I found a nail wedged inside. Hmmm, possibly it was some kind of nail sorter/storage. Either way, it wanted to be a part of the crafty action, so I grabbed it, the ’Podge, an old tattered book and my trusty X-acto knife.
Before starting my original project idea, I went to work on the box and lined the back of each compartment with a page piece glued down with Mod Podge.
Now, as you may know, if you collect enough stuff, eventually things just start to partner up.
I was observing spools and labels sitting together on my coffee table just this morning; some of the spools from my old thread stash and a few I bought for ten cents yesterday at The Legacy…
and vintage cigar bands, part of an Etsy order that I found in my mailbox when I returned home with the spools.
I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with the bands when I ordered them, it was an impulsive add-on to another purchase, but thought they would be a nice addition to my cigar label collection. And by the way, these fantastic cigar labels and wraps, found on eBay and Etsy, are very innexpensive.
After staring at them long enough over coffee, I had an Aha moment. The next thing I know I’m wrapping spools with cigar bands.
The wrapped spools fit nicely into the old compartment box and I added some cigar box labels to the piece as well. I wrapped a few other spools that still had their thread and the whole project created a really cool general-store-like display, especially exciting for the graphic designer in residence. 
Very nice. And very creative!
I love it..I would have never thought to do this. I wished I could come up with alpha moments like you do.
i love the look it looks so vintage!
That's a whole lotta awesome. Kudos to your "connect the random dots" brain!
So cute! My jaw literally dropped when I saw the finished product (I don't think that has EVER happened to me). Awesome! You rock.
Cathe,Isn't it great when the ideas just form from all our stuff? Reminds me of the day last week when the project for the bunny dominoes happened to me.
Linda K. in Kansas
http://grammylkk-unlimitedpossibilities.blogspot.com/
Cathe! You never cease to amaze me girl!!!! What a fab idea!!! Looks so wonderful and of course the graphics are all wonderful ~ what a great way to display the labels! xxoo, dawn
these are awesome and very creative…
Wow, I love it! I am attracted to cigar box graphics, too… wasn't aware that you could get the cigar bands though. I wish I had your start-to-finish capability. And all in one day, impressive!
What a great vintage look ~ kudos to you on that inspired Aha moment!
Awesome! It's got such visual interest – I love it!
Hello Cathe, That is so cool! As a quilter and life-long needlewoman, I am totally drawn to threads and spools. Great idea.
Emanda
Check out my blog for a giveaway!
http://ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com
Great project; very clever and such a nice display!!
This is such an awesome project.
Very cool, Love the colors of the graphics… great idea, xoxo~Kathy~ @ Sweet Up-North Mornings…
Okay, not only are you brilliant enough to come up with this stuff, but you're also generous enough to take the time to document it all and report back to us…
We love you for this!
Molly
i love this, very crafty! I'm diggin' the spools!
Oooh, I love anything that looks old timey, and I think this hits the nail on the head!
Beautiful!
N i c e….this is awesome…it's amazing how things come together and your mind is just full of creative stuff that you don't know where it comes from. Those spools in that terrific case are fabulous!!
drooling over how lovely this is 🙂
This is a very cool project! I love it when it just all comes together from nowhere!
Those are really cute!
PussDaddy
Do you remember those little fake gray plastic cans that came with the "pretend dishes" and "pretend food" when we were little? The cans had a wrapper that identified them as corn or peas or something. That's what these remind me of! I had the nicest memories come flooding back of playing house with my sister. Thank you! Very cute!
This is right up my alley! My pulse actually quickens when I see things like this!
Love this idea! Old packaging and labels are so inspiring and this looks amazing. It's surprising what can be done with a few old spools and vintage labels. Great job! You're so creative.
Mmmm, don't you love serendipitous moments like this. It all worked out so well and looks so darn great. That's an awesome box you have there.
LOVE. Must repost as a project of the week.
I love it! It looks like something out of a vintage country store!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Fantastic idea…it really does look just like an old store display, I love it!! What a little creative genius you are!
Smiles, Karen
oooh, Cathe those look GREAT!!! I LOVE it!!!
~TidyMom
You never cease to amaze and inspire me. This is a awesome project – totally a great way to put something random together and make an eye catching display. Cool, cool, cool!
I love this idea. My husband has a photo album full of cigar bands. I'm going to show this to him.
TWO WORDS….AWESOME, and INGENIOUS!
Loved the progress…thanks for sharing….
I loved how your finished project looked. I have a large collection of wood spools…..now I will be looking out for cigar labels! Thanks for sharing your great "aha" moment.
I just found your blog by following a link from Artsy Momma.
This is a GREAT project! I have two glass case boxes that I got at the thrift store. You've given me some creative inspiration.
~elaine~
I wish that I could sew just to organize everything exactly like you do! haha
~Aly
Cathe, you are coming up with some fabulous ideas! Your spools are inspiring me to get out my Mod Podge and some little perfume bottle labels I have stored away and apply them to some little glass bottles I found (34 of them!). If I actually finish, I'll e-mail you a picture!
Mitzi Curi
oh I absolutely LOVE that!!! My husband is a cigar smoker, and I have lots of pretty boxes I use in my craft room for supplies. That would make a wonderful piece of beauty in our room.
It is called as an artistic view. What ever you look at you can see something new to create.These are just unbelievable stuffs.I have wasted a lot of my cigar bands which i buy from online Cigar Shop. I could have easily done something like this. Thanks for the idea.
Hi Cathe, this is absolutely gorgeous. love your ideas and creativity.
Pingback: Cigar band spools done with lots of stash stuff. - Mod Podge Rocks