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Friday, August 10, 2012

Make Your Own School Papers Organizer


It's nearly here . . . . . . can't you just feel the vibrations of the hundreds of thousands Moms jumping for joy to know school is just around the corner?!?  Okay, perhaps there are a few of you out there who are saddened to see summer go.  I'll miss it too, or perhaps miss the thirst quenching margaritas on 100+ degree days.  ha ha  (okay, not joking).

Anyway, it's important to start thinking about how to keep all the crap important papers they bring home organized. While searching my lady Ana White's site, I came across a fabulous plan for just what I needed.  I made a few adjustments and now we are in business.

Before the organizer, I stapled and roughly taped a manilla folder, naively thinking it would hold even a week's worth of papers. 


Then it was time for Haley to attend school, and I had to get making an organizer:


The free plan for the organizer is here, but I did make my own adjustments.  I needed specific size to fit in this space, and I wanted a place to hold the keys and the mail.  


And because it turned out to be so essential to my sanity, I had to make one for my friend Kristy:


I actually followed the plan more closely this time and used a super large frame I had from Ikea.  I still added the mail holder using some brackets, and then just painted over them.



Well, then I HAD to make another one for Laura.  ;)


Hey, if I can make three, you can make one, right?!?

Debbie
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14 comments:

  1. Nice look! So, please share your finishing instructions. I'm new to this and trying to learn how to get this look. Do you do a base color first and then white and then distress? Or, do you do white first, sand and then then stain/glaze? Any help would be much appreciated.

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    1. Hi Jason. Thanks for checking out the post. ;)

      You had it right the first time, although you can do both. I actually used black spray paint as the base coat. Then I had some creamy white latex paint and used that as the top coat. I probably used 150 grit sandpaper on my electric sander and went to town. It looks best to get the edges really good and a few places on the main part of the piece. I do most of my vintage/shabby look by distressing.

      I also make and sell vintage-looking signs. I paint white, sand the edges and a little on the main part of the sign, then use a glaze. You can also use stain, but you have to wipe it off really fast.

      You really can't screw up, but as you try different techniques, you'll figure out what works best for you.

      Hope this helped!

      Debbie

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  2. Fantastic! I've always wanted to make those. I hope you’ll link this up today (or anytime this weekend) at One Creative Weekend on OneCreativeMommy.com.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! And I'll try to get my butt over there. ;)

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  3. Oh My! So cute! Well done also. I hope you will link up tomorrow to The CSI Project starting tomorrow. The challenge is Back to School Projects. You just might win. Each week is a new challenge with 3 tutorials, giveaway and a fun guest judge.
    Come on over!
    www.thecsiproject.com

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  4. Sharing on my FB page too! Love it!

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  5. This is such a cute idea and looks fun to make! We need a way to keep all the school papers organized! Thanks for linking up to our Strut Your Stuff Saturday! We loved having you and hope you will come back soon! -The Sisters

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  6. So cute! I need to make one of these! Pinning!

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