Cute little helper

In my quest to get organized my next BIG project is to tackle my scrapbooking room. It seems to get completely out of control so I need to try and get a handle on things in there. I mentioned in an earlier post that I have a complete downfall for magazines. Not only with the magz themselves but what's inside. As I look through them I tear out the pages. The pages that inspire me, projects I want to accomplish, scrapbook layouts that I need to try, scrapbook tools that I need to buy, pictures of my dream kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, porch...you get the idea. I think this all comes from having a creative mind. There are times that I NEED to create. I crave it.

To get things under control I am taking baby steps and those steps are starting with a cute little helper box I made. This is where I will be putting all of my crafting ideas.  I have 2 magazine holders that I will be putting all my scrapbook page layout ideas in and I will be making a 3-ring binder for all my house inspirations. So lets get to the cute little box. I don't have a big budget to craft with-really I have no crafting budget so anything I can find really really cheap is awesome. Which I think that is what crafting is all about.

Doug was finishing up a project on his dad's house and came across this nifty box. He said, "Will you take this to the trash for me?" "Ummm NO-I will take it right to my scrap room!" Here is what it started out as....

It is just a basic metal file box that was used for taxes. There was a very old label on the front that I tried to get off. I think I used some nail polish remover-which is NOT recommended on paint because after all it is paint and that is what nail polish remover-removes-DUH on my part. No worries though. I new I was going to cover it with paper so it will hide that blemish.  I then got out my trusty spray paint and painted away.

 Once the paint was dry I picked out some scrapbook paper that would coordinate with my room. I cut pieces to fit the front of the box. It was a little too white so I took some brown ink and "dirtied" up the paper. I then took a foam brush and painted on some Mod Podge. Next I took my first piece of paper and laid it on the wet Mod Podge and covered it with another layer of the glue. Be sure to use your fingers and smooth out all the air bubbles. Keep repeating with the remaining paper. I applied 3 coats of Mod Podge--letting each coat dry before applying the next.





I finished it off by tying a bunch of different cute ribbon to the handle! I love the way it turned out. File folders fit perfectly inside there. My next project for it will be to maybe coordinate the file folders with the box.



I am learning that organizing doesn't really have to be that hard and it definitely can be cute!!