DIY Chipboard Magazine Holder

Hi All!!!

Today I challenged myself to make my own magazine holder instead of buying one. I had to plan it out in advance so that I could wrap my head around it. (Thank you Cricut Design Space!!!) I designed it there and then modified on my paper when I realized that I didn’t have the 12×12 chipboard I was expecting to use. I think it still turned out great!!

Here is the design that I started with and all measurements are in inches:

1. Left Side – 11 H x 10 W (top is 5 W and small side is 5 H. I marked both at 5 and then made the diagonal line to connect)
2. Right Side – 11 H x 10 W (top is 5 W and small side is 5 H. I marked both at 5 and then made the diagonal line to connect)
3. Back – 12 H x 4.5 W
4. Bottom – 12 W x 4.5 H
5. Front – 5 H x 4.5 W with a circle cut to be able to easily pull out of a bookcase

After realizing I didn’t have the 12 x 12 chipboard, I modified to use the 8.5 x 11 chipboard I did have. I have those measurements below the video along with written instructions on how to put it together.

1. Left Side – 8.5 H x 11 W with a 1 inch fold on the taller side (top is 4 W and small side is 4 H after the fold and adding a piece of 1.5 x 8 piece to be attached at the top. I marked both at 4 after the fold and then made the diagonal cut)
2. Right Side – – 8.5 H x 11 W with a 1 inch fold on the taller side (top is 4 W and small side is 4 H after the fold and adding a piece of 1.5 x 8 piece to be attached at the top. I marked both at 4 after the fold and then made the diagonal cut) ***Hint: score all on the side you want to be the outside of the box if using a knife or Exact-o knife to cut the score line. It will fold cleaner. This is why I specifically made a right and left side. I also cut a piece for the inside where I added the 1.5 tall piece to reinforce it from a piece that was left over that was 11 x 4 pictured below (there is 1.25 on the left and then I used the other pieces to fill in.
3. Back – 11 H x 4.5 W
4. Bottom – 11 W x 4.5 H
5. Front – 4 H x 4.5 W I didn’t end up cutting the circle out

Supplies:

• Chipboard (whichever of the 8.5 x 11 or 12 x 12 that you have)
• Rulers (I used the 12 x 12 Cricut self-healing mat pictured above and the Cricut 18 inch metal ruler)
• Pencil or pen to mark with
• Knife/Exact-o knife/Cricut handheld Knife blade (I used the Cricut one)
• Hot glue and hot glue gun
• Contact paper/paint/cardstock/vinyl (however you plan to finish the outside, I used contact paper)

Instructions:

1. Cut out and score pieces listed above for the chipboard size you are using.
2. Glue the middle of the frame together first. Hot glue the back to the base and the base to the front.
3. In retrospect, I should have then hot glued both of the side pieces to the back (in the 12 x 12 design or the combination of the 2 pieces to make up each side in the 8.5 x 11 design) and then both to the base to the sides and then the front to the sides. Instead in the video I did all of one side and then the other. I think this may have been a better option, but you can do it either way. ***One thing I don’t believe I mentioned in the video is to make sure to press the pieces you are gluing together on a flat surface to get the best hold.
4. In the 8.5 x 11 design that I made in the video, I added another reinforcing piece to each side as mentioned above.
5. Now it’s time to decorate! I used contact paper, but paint, cardstock, or vinyl would also be lovely. Now in listing these possibly a decoupaged napkin or 2 would look really nice as well. 😉 Have fun with it! When applying the contact paper the adhesive didn’t want to stick to the chipboard very well, so I hot glued the edges down. ***Word of caution: If using the hot temp allow glue to cool slightly before adhering since it will melt the contact paper. Low temp is recommended if possible. I learned the hard way, please learn from my mistake.
6. Optional – You may want to add your finish to the insides of the finished product as well, but since it’s just for me, I’m not gonna bother. 🙂

Until next time, may this inspire you to create!!! Now for me to go and make 3 more for my shelves!