Vintage desk set in 4 easy steps

I recently got a hold of a papercrafting pack from Graphic 45, I love love love their papers! They have the most beautiful vintage styling and detail to their products and presentation. Here’s a quick and easy project that is both form and function. Using the Graphic 45 papers, various recycled containers and some glue I created a desk set for my husband’s office. Thank you Graphic 45 for these fabulous designs!

Vintage themed desk set
Vintage themed desk set by Jen Goode

I used papers from the “A Proper Gentleman” collection which is full of wonderful textures, patterns and vintage imagery with a classy male focus. Vintage golfers, vehicles and a touch of architecture (which of course my husband, the architect, really liked) is all a part of this double sided paper pack.

Here’s what you need to make this desk set:

  • Various recycled containers, clean and dry (soup cans, small boxes, etc.)
  • Paper, various patterns
  • Aleene’s tacky glue
  • Rubber bands
  • Straight edge
  • Pencil
  • Scissors

How to make this vintage desk set:

Make a pencil/pen holder using a soup can, measure paper to cover leaving 1/8″ space on top and bottom of can for edges to show. Make sure to allow a little overage to overlap when wrapped.

Graphic 45 paper for desk set pencil holder

Using the edge of your scissors against a straight edge, score the paper and then fold and tear so you have a nice rough trimmed edge.

Liberally cover back of paper with glue and wrap around can. Wrap rubber bands around can to hold paper in place.

making a recycled soup can pencil holder

To line inside of can, repeat the above steps to trim then place paper carefully inside the can. Hold in place for 30 seconds to ensure the paper adheres well.

line a soup can with paper to decorate

Continue to measure and cut paper to cover and line additional containers for each item you’d like to create. Because this is vintage inspired, rough cut and torn edges along with weathered corners are ok, it adds to the feel of the piece.

For the business card box, I mixed and matched different papers for the inside coverage.

decorated box for business cards

For the clippy tub I used a cut out of an image from the same paper set to cover a gap where the paper pattern was short.

vintage decorated desk accessory container

You can get a hold of Graphic 45 products from a variety of outlets including:

Scrapbook.com

Two Peas in a Bucket

Buy.com