Feeling a little Crafty

I love it when organizing can happen without spending a fortune on cute containers. Low cost solutions are great and free ones are even better! I am always looking for ways to re-purpose items around my home. My friend sent me a picture of a magazine article with directions to make your own desk organizer out of cake boxes. I knew I had to give it a try!

I don’t often make crafts at home, but this time something came over me and I was in a crafty mood. I am in the middle of reclaiming my desk and making it into a brand new workable space. I have already spent 10 minutes on a quick pen update, and I have a paint color chosen for a little spruce up. I knew this (free) organizer would be the perfect addition to my “new” space. .

I already had all of the materials at home: decorative paper, cake boxes, and a larger cookie box. (The article recommended 3 cake boxes cut at different heights, but I used a cookie box because I wanted one to be a little larger).

I cut off the top of the boxes, leaving each box 4 in, 5 in and 6 in tall.

I decided to cover the outside of the box with sturdy scrapbook paper, but fabric or spray paint might be a better option because it’s less likely to separate from the box. I had this paper that I loved and really wanted to use. I started with spray glue which didn’t work too well, then moved on to white glue with some touch ups with a glue gun.

I chose different colored paper to cover the inside, partly because I only had two sheets of the patterned one, but I like the look it gives. To make clean edges, I folded the outer paper over the edge of the box. With my limited paper supply, I also covered up an ugly edge with a ribbon.

After covering each box with the scrapbook paper, I sprayed the boxes with clear gloss to try and protect the paper. The gloss isn’t visible in the pics, but it’s on there and I think will definitely make the box more durable. I am assuming Mod Podge could protect the paper too; I just didn’t have any on hand. Finally I glued the boxes together and glued the ribbon in place.

I love the medallion charm pictured in the article, but since I was determined to make this a free project, I used a label and sticker I had at home for my own free fancy monogrammed effect.

My desk is slowly being put together and I will show the organizer in full use when I do the final desk reveal. Until then I am busily collecting some absolutely fabulous inspiration pictures on Pinterest. If you’re a pinterest fan too, click to connect, I would love to see what you are pinning!

Feeling in a crafty mood? Here is another crafty organizing project from Bon Temps Beignet to corral magazines or binders.

Have you ever made a DIY organizer? What have you been crafting lately?

Linking up with all these lovely parties!  (I don’t usually make crafts, so I might have gone a little crazy. They’re just so fun!)