Duct Tape Cooler Inspiration!

{Happy Sunday Y’all! Patti Wallenfang, designer of all the cool duct tape projects in our Just Duct Tape It! and Go Crazy with Duct Tape craft pattern books from Leisure Arts, is back again today as a guest blogger here on Everyday Life at Leisure! You’ll love her design for a really cool, duct tape-embellished cooler!} 

It’s me. I’m back. Diva of Duct Tape with another really dope duct tape idea for ya.

Here’s how the whole event unrolled.

Once you get stuck on duct tape, everywhere you go, everything you see, you think “Hey!!!! If I put duct tape on that it would be so much cooler!”

And COOLER it is! No joke. Read on...

My idea for a duct tape makeover happened when I least expected it...I had to run into the discount store (which shall remain nameless except that it has a blue sign with a groovy yellow kinda flower on it). Just as I walked in the door, I saw all the latest, greatest stuff lined up to so as to catch your attention and...THERE IT WAS! A folded up cardboard waterproof box that unfolds to become a picnic cooler! COOL! A cooler! Get it? Ok, ok, ok, I know you do.

What a really great idea for taking to the beach, or the lake or anywhere outdoors where some fun can happen with your friends. Here’s a picture of it in its boring condition before duct tape became involved.

What potential! This thing had everything going for it. Cheap (oh yeah! #1 on the list), lightweight, easy-to-carry, alllllll that except for ONE thing. You know where I’m going with this, huh? It was screaming, “SAVE ME, oh crafty one! COVER ME WITH DUCT TAPE AND TAKE ME FUN PLACES!”

And, “oh, crafty one” did just that (That’s ME in this story. It’s my story, so hey, I can be anything I want to be here!). Anyway, am I the only one hearing these voices or do you hear them, too, when you get around duct tape? Maybe the voices are somehow connected to the stuff that makes the duct tape sticky! Kidding, ha! Onward...

So, I followed the directions on the side of the cool COOLER box to pop it open. Then I proceeded to cover the outside of the box, which is now looking like an ice chest, with horizontal strips of duct tape around the box. I used lots of different colors of Duck brand duct tape, but I know you will get creative and come up with some great design ideas of your own ’cause you are just like that! Once the cooler is entirely covered with duct tape, trim away the extra tape around the top edges using a scissors or exacto knife (Careful!! Duct tape doesn’t make a very good bandage for cut fingers!). Cut the handles, fold in place n ur ready 2 go! 

Usually I like to make stuff with all the girly, girly duct tape patterns, but guys, this one’s for you! I used the Duck brand flames duct tape, digi camo, the checkered flag duct tape and even got in the new, really cool, blue Hawaiian print duct tape. Girls, I know you’ll make your own version. Use that Duck brand hot pink with the leopard print, and you’ll be duct tape styling as always! Don’t forget to add some bling and fur to your cool COOLER. That’s what I’m talkin about, girlfriend! 

Done!!! Here’s a pic of the finished project. The coolest cooler EVER!

Soooooo, put on ur duct tape flip flops, grab ur duct tape coozie, pack some food and drinks in that fab cooler and have some summer fun, kids!!!!!

Be safe and duct tape on, my creative friend...

Hey, another thing! Next weekend I’m goin to represent Leisure Arts with the Duck brand folks at the 9th Annual Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival in Avon, Ohio. Am I a lucky duck (ha!) or WHAT?!!! Follow my blog and my adventures in duct tape land as I meet "tapers" from all over America. If ur goin, let me know. I’d love to meet ya. I’ll be taking pics of the craft tents, the parade, and the festival goings on and posting them. You know there will be some great duct tape outfits and crafts. I can’t wait to eat all that food-on-stick that makes a festival fun! Whoooohooo! I AM SO-O-O-O READY!!!! Check back for all the action....:-)

And don’t forget to go take a look at my duct tape craft pattern books from Leisure Arts—Just Duct Tape It! and Go Crazy with Duct Tape! You can get up to $8 free shipping if you buy both books on our Leisure Arts site using Promo Code: DUCTTAPE! Offer ends June 30.

Oh, and something else cool, Go Crazy with Duct Tape is now available for download on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iBooks and on your computer with iTunes. Check it out!