Spring Organizing
Spring is around the corner and we have been busy around our house trying to get started organizing things around here after the long Winter. For us right now this means organizing some new bookshelves we painted for our office. These mostly hold John’s books, and he has been moving some off of my bookshelf which is in the entryway of our house. I came across some inexpensive clear file folders which I thought would be wonderful for holding all of my photocopied music and loose scores which I have a LOT of, not to mention all of my favorite magazines that I want to keep in which I have been published. So this prompted me to think about how to make these Plain Jane plastic holders more appealing for my space. I could have gone and bought the new designer ones in the store, but…
#1: They are expensive
#2: They are great for now, but what about when they go out of style?
#3: Will I get the “perfect” colors I need?
So come with me as we explore a great way to use your stamps in your home, and something you can change out easily when you get bored…oh and how much fun would this be to hold your cardstock?!
You will need the following supplies:
Stamps: Damask Designs
Paper: True Black, Stamper’s Select White, Spring Rain cardstock
Ink: Spring Rain
Ribbon: True Black Stitched Grosgrain, True Black Twill
Punches: Marvy Super Jumbo and MegaCircle Scalloped Punches
Other: Plastic FIle Folder (Preferably one with a flat front. This was from Rubbermaid. I bought it at Wal Mart. Fiskars Cutting Wheel With scalloped blade, favorite adhesive (I used red-lined tape, but you can also use scor- tape)
First cut your Stamper’s Select White cardstock to 3×11 inches. (This will cover most of the front panel, but not all of it, so you will need a coordinating color for the top and bottom of your file folder.)
Begin by stamping your Damask Designs backround stamp. I start at the bottom and move my way up. I always start on the same place on the stamp, so when the file folders are lined up on the bookshelf, it will look as close to a continual pattern as possible.
Using your cutting wheel and cutting mat, roll wheel to create a scalloped border and then cut. You will need a 3×2 inch piece for the top and a 1 inch piece for the bottom.
Before adding the border pieces, add your True Black Grosgrain ribbon (but only go slightly under where the bottom of your border is. You do not want it to look lumpy.) Add your top and bottom borders.
Then I took my Spring Rain cardstock and using the “Arial” font on my computer, typed the names of the files I wanted to create. I made sure to leave enough space around each word for punching. This is extremely important! If you are unsure, do a test run on typing paper! Then I punched the titles out using the smaller punch, and to keep my accent colors, I used the larger punch with True Black card stock. To add a finishing touch, I chose the True Black Twill ribbon to tie bows and adhere them with a large glue dot. Now I have the perfect colors to match my blue walls in the entryway. A color that otherwise may have been hard to find in a pre-bought folder, but was so simple to create using all of the Papertrey Ink colors to choose from.
I chose the black as an accent because I also have many performing folders which are black. Try and pay attention to other colors around the environment you want to enhance to aid and assist you in your color choices.
(click to enlarge all photos)
While they may not align “perfectly”, they are very close, which is why it is important to try and start in the same place on your stamp at the beginning of your stamping. The best part about this, is that it was pennies to create, and you can always start again if you choose to redo your decor! What will YOU do with Papertrey to enhance YOUR home? I would love to know!! For more Papertrey Inspiration in home decor, you can visit my sidebar in my {Hemidemisemiqauver Home} section! Have a great day! OH…and I ALMOST forgot! Wait until you see one of the new Timeless Templates coming out from Lauren this month! It will be a perfect way to complement this project!!
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March 6th, 2009 at 12:03 am
What a classy addition to your shelves. They look terrific and so functional.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:16 am
What a great idea as well as functional and very pretty! I love it!
March 6th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Awesome!! Love it and such pretty colors and design.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:21 am
I love the blue and black — so elegant. Such a custom look!
March 6th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Love it….Very elegant! Great Idea
March 6th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Only cover ONE side!! I was knocking my brain out thinking of covering the entire thing. Now my piano studio will look fabulous! Okay, if only I would actually put the music back in when I’m done…
March 6th, 2009 at 12:52 am
Beautiful and looks so sophisticated!
March 6th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Simply fabulous!
Many Blessings,
M.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:07 am
Oh my what a wonderful project!! I have some ugly old magazine holders that I’m in the process of cleaning out; was just thinking of throwing them away (old and yucky color). Not now~you’ve inspired me to make a beautiful change on them. Your label tabs are ingenious!! They really much a lovely difference and it looks so awesome to see all of them there, lined up in a perfect row. So easy to find what you’re looking for too. I am blown away by this project. I really *LOVE* it!! Thank you for this, Becky! Kathie McGuire http://www.kathiemcguire.blogspot.com
March 6th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Absolutely gorgeous! Very designer-like.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:01 am
Looks fantastic. Great idea.
Eveline.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:30 am
Beautiful! I LOVE this idea.
March 6th, 2009 at 5:56 am
These are very stylish – fantastic idea Becky
March 6th, 2009 at 6:01 am
These are gorgeous Becky, what a great idea, and as you say you can change them whenever you want to update. Fab!
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March 6th, 2009 at 6:26 am
absolutely gorgeous Becky — My favorite color combination too! These would make a great gift for anyone, I was thinking of my mom for her cookbook magazine.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:36 am
I always thought these were sensible but never purchased because I thought they were plain. Thanks for the great idea.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Great idea Becky! I love it.
Joan
March 6th, 2009 at 6:46 am
This is fabulous Becky, thank you so much for sharing. What a gorgeous AND wonderful way to store your magazines and loose papers!
March 6th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Beautiful! Thanks for a great idea!
March 6th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I love this! I NEVER would have come up with this. You rock my world!
March 6th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Wow, what a fantastic idea. You did a beautiful job on these and a great job on the tutorial too. Thanks for the instructions.
March 6th, 2009 at 8:04 am
What a great idea. Can see something like this in my future. My granddaughter would love something like this in her room for keeping all of her sheet music and it would be color coordinated and so easy to change out everytime she decides to redecorate. Thank you Becky!!!!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Very pretty!! What a great idea to match your decor. Thanks for the tut!!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Oh my! these are great, and so beautiful. Having just moved my office to my home, I could put my files in here instead of file cabinets. So, Becky, here’s what I need: Closed Contracts, Active Contracts, Buyer info, Seller info. That will do for now, you have my address. LOL!!! Really, a great idea for all those loose files and papers; Love it!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Wow! What an awesome project! Thank you for sharing.
March 6th, 2009 at 8:18 am
WOW! These are gorgeous. And what a fabulous tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing. I always wanted to know how to do something like this!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:18 am
These are amazing!! I can’t wait to try this!! Thanks for the fantastic tutorial!!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Great project. So functional and beautiful!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:25 am
These are beautiful, great job
March 6th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Beautiful Becky!! I love the blue and black – so elegant!! Great project!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:38 am
this looks super! Love the decor idea!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Very cool! Those look awesome and who doesn’t need to organize papers!! Thanks for the tips and idea!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Beautiful job, Becky! So elegant and YOU!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Thank you so much for this useful and timely tutorial! I was already planning on stocking up on these magazine holders, both for paper and the new plastic insert organizers that Stampendous just released. Now I have a quick and easy way to coordinate all my newly organized stamping supplies!!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Wow this are stunning, I wish the ones I made looked half as good! lol
March 6th, 2009 at 8:53 am
What a great idea! I have a ton on the cardboard magazine holders that I got when our library at school updated everything and have been trying to figure out a clean way to use them. This is perfect! Thanks so much!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Love, love, love this. I have a bunch of these and have always wished the were pretty, thanks for the idea.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Oh my goodness these are fabulous! Clever clever clever you!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Becky, I have been planning on getting some new magazine files, and now I know exactly what I am going to do–yall are amazing in your creativity and craftmanship. Thank you for your wonderful ideas. Best, Charlotte
March 6th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Very clever. Like the idea of storing PTI cardstock like this.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Becky these are incredibly wonderful – what a FAB idea and even more so that you shared all the details with us – I have such a “Mish Mash” (sorry Michelle) of magazine holders – now I can coordinate them all. LOVELY! Hugs n smiles.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Can you tell us what adhesive you used? In the supplies list you just mentioned “favorite adhesive” but if you found one that worked well on these plastic file folders, I’d love to know. I’d hate to go to all that work and have the front keep coming off. Thanks! I just love the idea. I’ve had some of these for years and wanted them to be “prettier” and complement my space but never thought of such a wonderful and simple solution as you!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Love these! Very classy!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:42 am
These are totally awesome! What a clever and beautiful way to store your papers!! Thank you for the idea!!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:43 am
WOW. These are AMAZING!! Looking forward to Lauren’s template too! Thanks for sharing this incredible idea!!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Gorgeous, Becky! Just gorgeous! LOVE this idea!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:53 am
LOVE the classic sophistication this brings to storage. Thanks for sharing.
March 6th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Love these! AND I love how they match up when standing closely together. So cool!
March 6th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Love this idea… I have some mailing boxes that I have decorated. I will be redoing them!! Thanks.
Clarinda
March 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Wow, very clever, beautiful and yet easy! Thanks for sharing!
March 6th, 2009 at 11:21 am
This is really cool. I love how you fixed it up. that is so neat.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Very nice, may have to get me some and give it a try.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I think you deserve a Nobel Peace Prize!!! This is a magnificent idea…especially for those of us that are OCD, lol. It’s the truth though, it brings less clutter to the eye and it’s beautiful. TFS, TFS, TFS, TFS!
March 6th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Great tip – beautiful. I have a whole shelf of these magazine holders and it never occurred to me to decorate them and turn them the other way.
Thanks for the inspiration!
March 6th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Well how cute is that??? I love this idea. Thanks!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Such a great idea to cover our “stuff” and make it look pretty!! LOVE IT~
March 6th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Love it. What glue did you use?
Barbara C
March 6th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
So darn cute!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Wow!! What a great idea, I might just have to steel your idea. TFS.
March 6th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
This is the coolest idea! Thanks for sharing.
March 6th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Beautiful AND functional! Great idea!
March 6th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Lovely way to use my favorite things…cardstock, ribbon, punches….ooo la la!! Thanks for the inspiration!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I love the idea! Thank you for sharing.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Fabulous idea. I love the damask stamp and tags. These should be featured on HGTV!
March 7th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Hey – - Terrific!
I was planning on doing the SAME thing to get a grip on all my papers – - but didn’t quite know how I was going to co-ordinate it! I plan on using large floral labels like you have, but I needed to ‘gel’ a scheme together on how to put it all together – - and this WORKS PERFECTLY!!!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
March 7th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Lovely!!!
March 7th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
What an absoluetly fantastic idea!! And they look like you spent a lot of money to get them!! Very creative!
March 7th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Thanks so much for sharing! I made some today!!
They look so classy!!
March 8th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Very attractive idea! I can adapt it for my shelves. Thank you for sharing.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Do you ever sleep? Or just sit around and think up the coolest ideas ever? I love love love it!
March 9th, 2009 at 6:02 am
THis post really inspired me. I needed to change my storage becasue it was taking up too much counter space in my craft room. What a timely blog!! I rushed to Wal-Mart, got my files and got everything reorganized in a day for under $50 (I bought spare storage for my growing collection of PTI papers!) Thanks for sharing your creativity!
March 9th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I am absolutely speechless! Would you please come to my house and help me now?
March 9th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I’m convinced there is no limit to your creativity. They look great!
March 11th, 2009 at 10:33 am
i’ts so cute and “pratique” !
March 16th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this clever idea with all of us.. My it will be nice to look at and still be so functional. Easy to follow…so good show…
Thanks
pat