Binder Clips and Drawer Organizers

Made for Math Monday #made4math

Project 1: Scrapbook Covered Binder Clips.

The first project I did this week was to make scrapbook paper covered binder clips.  I'm a sucker for binder clips and pretty things. This was a natural combination.  The first time I saw this was when my principal gave me a giant one as a gift a few years ago.  I also pinned a few on Pinterest this week (here and here).


So the first thing I did was raid the desk downstairs to find that I am a hoarder when it comes to office supplies.  I had a ridiculous number of binder clips!  I had two sizes, I think they are medium and small.

Then I raided my scrapbook supplies. Again, I have a ridiculous amount of stuff given that I transitioned from paper scrapping to digital scrapping somewhere before I had my second child.

Supplies: Binder Clips, Paper, Scissors, Mod Podge & a paint brush

I cut the scrap paper into rectangles of 1.25" by about 2" for the medium size and .75" by about 1.25" for the small size.

Then using a small paint brush I coated the binder clip with Mod Podge.  I carefully applied the paper, tucking it into one end and then the other.  I smoothed the middle part last.

I now have a bunch of pretty binder clips!  The container is a reused medium apothecary jar from Kringle Candle.

Project 2: Drawer Organizers for my Desk.

So, this is a picture of my top left desk drawer before.  I was going to only do this drawer, but then I decided that the center drawer must be done as well. I forgot to take a picture of the center drawer, but believe me it was WORSE! (I found a keyboard for my Palm m500 which came out in 2001ish)  

Supplies: Cardboard boxes (cereal boxes, copy paper box, K-cup boxes, etc), Packing tape, Scissors, Wrapping Paper, Mod Podge, & Scissors

I started by measuring the dimensions of the two drawers.  Using those dimensions I created the outside box.  The deep drawer was made from the lid of a copy paper box and the shallow drawer was from an Ikea box that held a slipcover.  

Then I laid out my stuff in the boxes. Onces I liked the arrangement I made compartments from the assortment of boxes.  I used the packing tape to attach them to each other and to the larger box.

The last step was to cover it up and make it pretty.  I used a roll of wrapping paper from the dollar store and Mod Podge.

Organizers Covered

Organizers Filled

I must say that I enjoy opening the drawers to see how tidily arranged all my things are.  I don't know that I'd do this project again; it took way longer than I had anticipated.

Still in the works for next week is some digital organization.  I don't know what I'm teaching yet, but I'm hoping I'll know by then so I can tweak my organizers.