Recycling Shoe Boxes

I love to do paper crafts of all kinds, cards - scrapbooks - mini albums - bookmarks - whatever!!!!  I also love to recycle things in order to save money and make my space look really neat!  We have talked a bit about organizing - if you check out this post here, you will get a bit more about what I am working on personally to make my space more organized and get more done!   

Back to the recycling things...I have a few shoe boxes that were just dying to get altered LOL - and altered they did get!!!  I found the PERFECT papers - along with Mod Podge glue and created 2 of the cutest containers to put things in!  One has ribbons in - the other, simply has everything I am using for my Project Life!!!  I can't wait to get the other one done I have right now - they really hold a lot of items in one!!!   

This one hold ribbon and such!

Supplies needed:
Shoe box
Mod Podge glue and brush
Papers of your choice (see below for sizes)
Paper trimmer
Ruler
Scissors 

Directions:
Step one:  Find the shoe box you want to use - measure the papers you want to use for each piece!  I used 12 x 12 papers for my boxes, 2 coordinating sheets. 
 
Step two:  Trim your papers to fit the shoe box - if you are using a standard size for adults, cut the following papers.  2 sheets 6 x 12, 2 more sheets 6 x 12 to coordinate with the other sheet (see above) 1 10.5 x 12 (for lid) 2 pieces 2.5 x 12 (for lid).  **TIP - some lids have longer tops - you might need to add an 1" or so to the lid pieces for it to work**

This one holds my Project Life stuff!

Step three:  Start to add the glue to the sides of the shoe box first - and then add the front piece after that.  When you get to the back of the box - start at the bottom adding the paper to continue to the top of the box.  Add the final piece from the top down to the front of the lid to finish it up. 

Step four: Add the Mod Podge glue to the entire piece to finish it all up!  I started working at the top first, then working my way down from there.  **TIP - to hold open the lid as you work on the bottom half - use a ruler!!!  
 
I really love how they both turned out, the colors matching everything else I am doing for my storage space!  Each piece I create and re-purpose, helps me as I am organizing my stuff!!!  I put like items with like items, and as I look at everything, I am either keeping it or adding it to my pile of things to get rid of!  It is the re-organization process that is fun right now for me - finding things I have wanted to do for a long time now!!!  

As you go shopping this year - look at the things you normally would throw away - the inserts, the boxes, the cans...and look at what you can do to organize your own items just like this!  Adding other fun baskets and things, your space will truly be YOURS!!!  I hope you join me!!! 

Thanks for stopping by,

Lynda Jeffs

Memories in Tyme