By the end of this series you are all going to think that I am ridiculously cheap. Like, I'd rather spend my afternoon gluing my fingers together with spray adhesive than shell out 12 bucks sort of cheap.
But it's true, I am.
Especially when it comes to things that are essentially a cardboard box covered in fabric and paper. I can do that. You can do that. And 12 bucks is a lot of money for fabric covered cardboard, right?
I won't bore you with a wordy tutorial because the photos kind of speak for themselves. And because I am more than confident that you can all glue fabric and paper to cardboard. In fact...maybe I need some of you to give me lessons on how NOT to glue my fingers together with the spray adhesive?
If you recognize the fabric, maybe that's because it's left over from this project. You know, the one where I let my 3 year old pick out the fabric, ahem. And she just happened to pick a lovely teal flower-y design that I love...
The insides are lined with card stock. The labels are self adhesive scrap booking embellishments.
[Thanks for stopping by The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking. This is day 21 in a series called 31 Days to an Organized Home. Come back tomorrow for some more organize-y goodness!]
I am totally that cheap as well. Why pay money for something you can make yourself?! I love your magazine holders and the fabric is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I'm in love with everything that you do! You are my hero, for reals. Someday I'm going to grow up and be just like you!
ReplyDeletelol! I feel the same way about her
DeleteBrilliant. I mean, seriously. I don't know I would have thought of making one of those myself...and I'm pretty frugal! Way to go! :) BTW--new reader, and I'm really liking your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteI just found you today.....and I am in bloggy love!
ReplyDeleteThese turned out really pretty! I have a bunch of cereal boxes piled up in the guest room to do the very same project...dragging it
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog, love your ideas, love how you acknowledge they can be tweaked and how you repurpose!!! May I humbly suggest... cheapo purple latex gloves. For the fingers/glue issue, I mean.
ReplyDeletebetweenyoumeandthefencepost.blogspot.com
I would much rather spend time gluing that spend money. Love the fabric!! I would love for you to stop by and link up to More the Merrier Monday. It is open through Wednesday so you have plenty of time to link up. http://diyhshp.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I'm that kind of cheap too. Thank you for this series. I can't believe you have more people than us sharing one bathroom (we have 6)!
ReplyDeleteI have seen some cute mag files but these are amongst my all time favs! Love how amazing these turned out! So pretty!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Jen
Cereal boxes work well for this as well! :)
ReplyDeleteLove.
ReplyDeleteLove.
ReplyDeletegenius. one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments, lol
ReplyDeletewhat you called cheap I call industrious... I simply believe we should not, cannot be completely dependent on already made stuff! Being able to do what you need, using resources you already have is perfect!
ReplyDeleteLove this project! Those organizers are super cute.
ReplyDeleteYou should link it up on my blog: http://thriftmeblog.com/lets-organize-2012-kitchen-countertops-recap-link-party/. I know my readers will love to see it {and be inspired!}.
My office was going to throw away some old, grungy file holders shaped exactly like the cardboard you used. I remembered this post and immediately grabbed them up! Can't wait to repurpose them as magazine files using your tips!
ReplyDeleteI've done this as well, but I repurposed Cereal boxes and simply covered them with dollar store wrapping paper. Big ones like cornflakes and Chex are just right for mags, but I also used the small ones like Grapenuts and Pebbles for my kids' books and to corral flimsy recipe books (the kind you pick up in the checkout line, etc). They may not hold up forever, but they're pretty much free, so making new ones every couple years isn't too painful.
ReplyDeleteI am about to go through my craft/ recycle/ junk storage room to find the perfect box. Then again my husband has way too many priority mail boxes in all sizes! Free to a good home! Saw somewhere an idea to use shoe box tops as canvas or cover w/paper or fabric. I'm not above paying for stuff, but I take my time price comparing. There is just something rewarding about doing it yourself.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh....I was looking for magazine holders and was not pleased with the flimsy plastic ones they had! I am going to make these for cheeeep!
ReplyDeleteI need some wordy stuff to tell me how to make the cardboard box?!
ReplyDeleteKate
I need some wordy stuff to tell me how to make the cardboard box?!
ReplyDeleteKate
I don't know if you found something, but I saw this one awhile back: http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2009/11/tool-time-tuesdaymore-like-recycle.html
DeleteI just found your blog! You have some really great ideas! I especially love this one since I always want to buy these when I see them at the store, but I never do because I feel it is a waste of money. But this looks so simple and easy! I'm going to the craft store tonight after work and am so making this! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI love this
ReplyDeleteLove it! Magazine files are kind of a bother for me so I threw away all the magazines. But if you can make one instead of buy one... then the money for your magazine file can go to the magazines now ;) Perfect
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for appliance manuals also. I have them stacked in my pantry and have to sort through all of them when I need to look up how to use my timed bake on my oven or how to reset the clock on the microwave. HaHa. This would be great to sort all the manuals in one & be able to find them faster and cute material is just fun. Gonna do this. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Maybe I'm gonna make this one :)
ReplyDeleteCheers,
http://hasu--hana.blogspot.com
This is great I used free boxes from the post office and scrap fabric so mine were 100% free yay thank you for sharing
ReplyDelete