I need help with an arts and crafts project!  

Where can I find paper paste? Is there a way to make it? I think when I was younger I used to mix glue and water and use a brush to apply it, but I don't remember if that worked as well as I want it to!

Im not sure where you would get it from? in new Zealand we would go to any shop that sells wallpaper. Might even be at a warehouse store! such as k-mart or the warehouse! Not sure of the names of your stores. A shop that sells all sorts of odds & ends. Or you could try this one Plain flour mixed with water, we use to use these to make paper mache as children. Paper Mache is newspaper pasted to balloons etc... then you pop the balloon when its dry and the shape stays. Its good stuff. Its similar to glue.

I used to do this when I was little, too, but the only problem I have with using the flour is the texture afterwards and that it may make the pictures look a little faded. On some of the boxes though, I think I might try to make them look faded and a bit old and "vintage" if you will, so I will probably end up using this method. Maybe paint it with a glue and water mixture afterward just for the extra hold? I'll let you know how my project goes!

Good luck with it all :o)

Thanks! I appreciate it! I am going to work really hard on my project!

Damn it turned out wrong

__________________
| |
|S S |
|S S |
|S S |
|S S S S S S S S |
|_________________|

I hope this turns out correct.

Haha. Don't worry, I see what you are saying. I don't really like that idea though, no offense. I want to make a huge collage on these boxes so that I can store my old things in them and they can represent who I am,. My problem with collages is that I get really intricate, I use about 100 little tiny cut outs from magazines, and those won't stay in place in a plastic pocket.

Ohh ok .. yeah if you wanna have collages and stuff then my idea isnt so good.

Hmm ... for adhesives you can try stronger adhesives like Fevicol or something....

I am not sure what that adhesive is? Could you explain it to me? Maybe it might be something I should look into.

Go to pidilite[.]com you will find "Fevicol" as one of their products

The problem with this method is that I don't want the edges of the pictures to rip after a while, which is what I will get if I use this method. I could probably do this to initially put the pictures on the box, but I need some other sort of adhesive to coat the whole box with after.

well then try sticking the tape to the edges of the picture so that it looks like a frame. Try it :)

I have done that before, and the part of the picture that isn't part of the frame will fade after time. The only way I could do this with tape would be to tape the ENTIRE box.

I like the cloth idea! I would have to use that on a little bit sturdier of boxes - I was just thinking of doing this on cardboard boxes in order to maintain my mess of an apartment. I was also thinking about using wrapping paper on the boxes, so I can customize them and mix and match patterns or ribbons.

If I decide to go the "collage" route, I want to be able to put something OVER all of the pictures so they don't tear at the edges. But using a glue stick underneath them is definitely a good start to the project.

I want to do a few boxes for myself, then eventually start creating some out of recycled boxes and magazines to put on etsy (after I get a few REALLY cute ideas out, that is!)

Get some plastic wrap, wrap the cardboard and pictures then use a blow dryer on a medium or high setting to warm the plastic up just enough to get the wrinkles out and make for a smooth finish. The heat will also slightly bond the plastic on the backside of the cardboard to keep it intact.

Hah, I'd have to buy a hair dryer in order to do this! But I need one, anyway, so it may not be out of the question. The plastic will adhere wherever I blow heat on it?

That kind of sounds off. I'd have to try that one. I'm not sure if it's wise to heat the plastic wrap not to mention the possible stinky smell it'll give off. It's still worth a shot though let me know if you do try it and it works.

I haven't tried it yet, but I will definitely let you know when I do! I have seen something similar to this on tv before, but I thought it was a special kind of plastic wrap, so I will have to make myself a "practice project" just in case it doesn't work out as planned!

Where do I get this kind of stuff!? It sounds like exactly what I need!

Probably Walmart or something simple like that. You can get elmer's brand or something it's pretty good. And as far as the blow dryer goes, the plastic won't melt onto your pictures, it will just cover it and stick so that it provides a protective cover.

I will have to try that and see if it makes the same end product as I am hoping for! Thank you for your response and input! I will let you know how my project works out!