I’m not really a handbag kinda girl. Well that’s not strictly true, I’ll buy a handbag and use it until it falls apart and then reluctantly buy another one.  Hey I get attached to my handbags, my life’s in there. Just recently my trusty “el cheapo” big, black bag started coming apart at the seams. Probably because I had the kitchen sink in there, but that’s a story for another day 😎

The only designer bags I’ll ever own are the ones under my eyes 😉

I think I need a new handbag

Parts of the handbag still looked good and were worth saving, like the handles.

Saving the handles

Add some pallet off cuts, a few sparkly bits and an old wire basket and you have all you need to make a picnic caddy.

Recycled picnic caddy

The wire bits on the side are from a basket that’s has been lying around in our kitchen cupboard for years. I have no idea where we got it. I just cut it in half and sprayed it black.

Cut an old wire basket in half

To make the picnic caddy, we cut the pallet off cuts into two pieces measuring 16cm x 14cm and two pieces measuring 19cm x 14cm (to convert to inches you can use this handy little app). The pieces were glued and screwed together to form a box. We also added two bits of wood to the bottom of the box so that the cutlery wouldn’t fall out and sprayed the box black.

Making the box

We used galvanized fencing staples to attach the handbag handles and we drilled four small holes on the side of the box and hammered in the wire baskets, one on each side.

Attach the handles and the wire basket

Add some bling and insert the tin cans in the box.

Add the tins and some pretty decorative bits

The wire baskets on the sides are perfect for storing condiments and serviettes.

Close up of the wire rack

And the re-purposed handbag handles make it easy to carry.

Anyone for a picnic?

Recycled picnic caddy

Okay so I’m off to buy a new “el cheapo” handbag at the China Mall.