Switching It Up with Sew Many Ways

Switch plates are the covers that you put on electrical outlets or light switches. They also come in "Blanks". They are the solid plates that you might use to cover the electrical boxes that aren't being used any more. They come in white, black, off white and so many other colors and materials from metals to plastics, including these, galvanized metal ones... and they were on sale too!

This is a very old wooden box that came from my grandfather's woodworking shop. I left the finish just the way it was so many years ago.

I placed the switch plate on the front of the box and centered it, then marked the screw holes for drilling

 

Don't you love all the dinks in the box...I never met my grandfather. He passed away before I was born, so it's nice to have something of his.

Drill the 2 holes from the pencil marks.

Here are the 2 screws that come with the switch plate (flat tips). 

 They worked fine for this box, but if you have trouble with another surface, you might want to use pointy (technical term) wood screws.

Now just screw the plate to the front of the box.

and here you have it all finished!

Here are some different ways to use them:

Put your favorite herbs in the box and label the switch plate with a dry erase marker.

How about all my quilting friends out there!!! I know you have fat quarters, scraps, squares or strips that need organizing.

Remember the "Crap Baskets" on my stairs? Well, instead of the name badge holder for the names how about a switch plate!!

I used the dry erase pen here again just as an example, but you could paint the names on or use a stencil or vinyl lettering or even a picture of the person Mod Podged on!

How about in the mud room over each person's coat hook.

And last, but not least, on the front of a fabric covered box. I used the same method as the wooden box. Mark the holes, but I just used a pointy awl to pierce the fabric and the cardboard box. I screwed in the flat screw and it stayed, but you could use a little nut to secure it on the back.

So ladies, visit your local electrical department and "switch" it up a little. 

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I just love this and so many other tutorials from Karen. To see more of her creative-ness, please visit her site Sew Many Ways.

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