Laundry Scoop Boxes

For a long time I have been looking for ideas to use those laundry scoops that come with every box of laundry detergent. One day inspiration hit and here is the result.

Materials

laundry detergent scoops
Styrofoam trays (lid)
sponge
sanding block
craft knife craft paint
water-based varnish
decorative edge scissors
catalog, magazine, etc.

Creating Lids

scoop lid sideways

scoop lid underneath

plain scoop

Turn the scoop upside down and put on the Styrofoam and trace around it.
Cut out with a sharp knife (I used an xacto knife).
Cut out another lid exactly the same size.

Making the Lid Fit

Now measure on the second lid about ¼ of an inch in from the edge and mark it.
Take a piece of paper and hold it over the handle part of the scoop. Hold the this up to a light and trace where the handle ends and the scoop part starts.
Cut out this smaller lid and adjust it so that it matches the scoop (hollow part of the scoop) exactly.

Assembly

Glue the two pieces together like in the pictures to the right.
Now the lid will stay securly on the scoop.

Customizing the Scoops

I started out with the plain white triangular front scoops, but any kind of scoop works.

Green Scoop Box

Green Scoop

This is the first one I've created.

I'd roughed up the surface of the scoop with a sanding sponge and put a coat of primer on and then sponge painted it with various shades of green.
The flower's come from a seed and garden catalog. I just cut them out and glued them on.
Then I covered it all with a couple coats of water-based varnish

Brick Scoop Box

Brick Scoop

This is my second variation.

After sanding and priming the scoop, I base-coated it and then used a piece of sponge to create the brick design.
The finished piece is coated with a couple of layers of water-based varnish.

Flower Scoop Box

Flower Scoop

For this scoop I went back to my gardening catalog.

I cut out strip of flowers the height of the scoop.
As the scoop has angled sides I cut the strip into sections.
I used my decorative edge scissors (wavy edge) so that when the pieces overlap they blend together nicer.
The finished piece is coated with a couple of layers of water-based varnish.

Gallery Glass Scoop Box

Gallery Glass Scoop

For this scoop I used a clear, see-through scoop, but the lid is still made from styrofoam.

The scoop is leaded with liquid lead and then painted with Gallery Glass paint.
The lid is made with Styrofoam and the design from the scoop is copied and painted with water-based acrylic craft paint.
The finished piece is coated with a couple of layers of water-based varnish.

Money Scoop Box

Money Scoop

I created this one to have the money for the paper carrier handy.

I base coated the scoop red and then cut out coins from the 'Canadian Mint Flyer' and glued them on with collage glue.
To give the lid a handle I cut a small slit and glued a penny in it.