Homemade Organizer Shelf & Cubbies September 13, 2006 Tired of the clutter laying around? Too many junk drawers? You don't have to spend $50.00 on an organizer shelf with pretty baskets, you can make your own from cardboard boxes, fabric and glue. Perfect for holding bills, small trinkets, car keys, crayons and more! What you need - shoe shelf - small cardboard boxes - fabric or cardstock in pretty, colorful patterns - fabric or cardstock in solid colors to match - ribbon, twisted paper, and/or raffia - white craft glue - large paint brush - water - hot glue gun - acrylic sealer spray, matte Note: If you use fabric for the patterns, also use fabric for the brims. Alternatively, if you use fabric for one, use fabric for the other. Don't use fabric and paper, use one or the other. What you do Decorate each cardboard box by decoupaging the outsides with patterned paper or fabric. To make your own decoupage medium, use equal amounts of white craft glue (Tacky Glue) and water. Squeeze some white craft glue into a small container or cup. Add water and mix until this reaches a milky consistency. Mixture should be paintable, but not too thick. To decoupage, dip your paintbrush into the decoupage medium, your paint brush should be wet but not dripping. Paint a layer of decoupage onto the box and begin putting on your fabric/paper. Paint over the fabric/paper with the decoupage medium, smoothing out with your brush. Work in sections until entire box is covered. Set aside to dry and repeat with each box. Cut out strips of solid fabric/paper for the brims of the boxes. Repeat the decoupage process to apply the brims. Use alterating colors and compliment the patterns with your choices. Allow to dry completely, about two hours. Make small bows out of ribbon, raffia and/or twisted paper that has been untwisted. Hot glue the bows onto the fronts of the boxes. Alternatively, you can use ribbon to make a border line between the brim and the rest of the box if you like. Simply hot glue in place. Spray entire surface with acrylic sealer spray and let dry overnight.

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Jeff Radel, CRS 'Make a Smart Move' House of Brokers Realty, Inc. 1515 Chapel Hill Rd. Columbia, MO 65203 Phone: 573-446-6529 Fax: 573-446-5408 jefrealtor@aol.com Website			Donna Adams, GRI, ABR 'Make A Smart Move!!!' House of Brokers Realty, Inc. 1515 Chapel Hill Rd. Columbia, MO 65203 Phone: 573-446-6530 Fax: 573-446-5408 dadams@houseofbrokers.com Website