applewench

I have 4 grandkids who would love the big pillow and other things. They will be on their way to college soon enough. I might as well get started.

You can cover the entire box. While the box is still blank, put the lid on and draw a line around the bottome of the lid. This will serve as a guideline to stop the design on the bottom so that the lid will still fit. I like to be creative with the bottoms for example adding a large bead or small marble to all four corners so the box sits off the table. I too have made the jewelry and like this added concept. As for the grandmother and woodworking, I don't have any of the publications you mention but all the homestores in our are: Home Depot, Lowes, even local ones Spenard Builders Supply offer free childrens classes and even provide the supplies. Also I have almost completely stopped buying crochet patterns. If I see something I like, then I search on the internet in the free patterns and almost always find something very close or similar. Perhaps the same is true of the kind of projects you are wanting.
I really love all the recycle and reuse ideas of late.