DIY Cardboard Christmas Lights Organizer

Don't throw away those Christmas boxes just yet.  You can tear down a couple and turn them into inexpensive Christmas lights organizers.   

Materials:

• Scissors
• Pen or Marker
• Rectangles cut from cardboard boxes

Directions:

Fig. A

Fig. B

Fig. C

1. Use the scissors to cut the box along the creases.  You should end up with several rectangular pieces.
2. Then use the scissors to make about of 1 inch long cuts at points 1 and 2 (See Fig A).
3. Then insert one end of the wire in slot 1 (See Fig B).  Then start wrapping the Christmas lights around the cardboard working yourself from left to right.  Make sure you leave about 2 inches of space from the edge (See point 3 in Fig A).
4. After you are done hook the end in point 2 (See Fig A). 
5. Now label point number 2 with "Unwind Starting Here" and at point 4 you can label the Christmas light description.  For example, "Christmas Tree Lights, 1 of 2."
6. Store lights away in a container for next year!

Reduce Your Magazine Clutter

Photo: Magazine Binder

If you subscribe to several magazines like I do, you know that those magazines can easily pile up.  Perhaps this would not be such a bad thing if you actually read those magazines again, but let's be honest --- we rarely do.  So let's tackle that clutter in a smart way.

How to Create a Magazine Binder

Materials:

• large 3-ring binder (Note: You could always upgrade to a larger binder later, but I like starting big)
• dividers with tabs/labels
• ordinary binder paper (college-ruled or wide ruled)
• scissors
• Elmer's school glue or glue stick (Note: I prefer using Elmer's school glue)
• Stapler (for keeping multi-issue articles together)
• High-quality 3-hole punch (optional)

Directions:

1. I use a binder for each major subject that interest me.  For example, I have a binder just for "Home & Garden" related issues.  Then I use dividers to divide the binder into subjects.  For example, I have a section on each room in a house, and the front and backyard.  
2. As I read magazines, I tear out images or articles of interest and just glue them (or staple them if it is a multi-page article) to a piece of lined binder paper.  You can also use a three hole punch on full page articles.  Sometimes I jot quick notes next to the item or article.  Then I file the paper under the appropriate section.  
3. After I am done reading the magazine, I am left with a magazine full of advertisements or articles that did not interest me so I just put it in the recycling bin.  

Seed Organizer

I harvest and store seeds from my existing plants.  In the past I blogged about using photo albums as a way to store and organize seed packets, and take gardening notes.  This worked well for seed packets that had small to medium-sized seeds, but I had so many seeds that I ended up with ziplock bags full of half used seed packets and loose seeds.  Tired of the mess, I found another way to store and organize all of my seeds.  

Photo 1: Shoebox/Photo Storage Seed Organizer

• Seed Storage Box.  You can transform a shoebox or photo storage box into a seed organizer.  I bought these decorative shoe box/photo storage box at Marshalls for about $3.  However, you can transform an ordinary shoe box or photo storage box into a seed organizer.  Just place an object inside the box to act as a bookstand to keep your seed packets upright (See Photo 1).

Photo 2: Seed packets for the new seed organizer

• The Seed Packets.  Instead of throwing the seed packets into the box, I created new seed packets out of envelopes to give it a uniform look, and to keep the seeds from spilling out of their packets (See Photo 2).   You can organize the seed packets alphabetically or by category (e.g., herbs, flowers, vegetables, etc.).  You can also create a box for each category or for each new year.  

• How to Make Seed Packets
• Materials
• Envelopes (that fit inside the box)
• Pen
• Scissors
• Elmer's Glue
• Old Seed Packets (optional)
• Individual Photos of Plants (optional)
• Funnel (optional)
• Directions
• Place the seeds in the envelope or if you like you can wait to put them in at the end.  If you do wait to put them in at the end, use a funnel to assist you.  
• Cut a small (1.5" to 2") slit on the folded line of the flap.
• Seal the envelope.
• Cut the seed packet so that you have a front and back side of the packet.
• Paste the front of the seed packet to the front of the envelope (See Photo 2).  Alternatively, you can glue a photo of the plant, and then label it with a marker or pen.   
• Paste the back of the seed packet to the back of the envelope (See Photo 2).  Alternatively, you can write down planting instructions and other notes on the back.
• Repeat this process to make more seed packets.  Make sure that the photos and writing are facing the same direction so that it will be easier to catalog and look-up the seed packets.

Plastic Knife Plant Labels

Photo: Early Corn plant label made out of a plastic knife

Have you ever wondered what to do with those plastic knives you get with your take-out orders or have leftover from a mixed plastic cutlery set?  Turn them into plant labels!

You can make simple plant labels by using a plain permanent marker (not the fine point kind) to label the knife handle.   Alternatively, you can dress up your plant labels like I did with a little paint and creativity.  Keep reading for instructions on how to make your own weather-resistant or weatherproof plant labels out of plastic knives.

Directions on How to Make Plastic Knife Plant Labels

Materials

• old clothes or smock
• newspapers
• masking tape or objects to weigh down newspaper
• sand paper (220 grit)
• plastic knives 
• paint brushes
• artist palette or old plate
• acrylic paint (I used Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint)
• cup to hold water (I used the bottom half of a plastic water bottle)
• paper towel (moistened) 

Directions

Photo: Prepping the work area

Photo: Finished plastic knife plant labels

1. Preparation.  Change into old clothes or put on a smock.  Then find a comfortable place to paint.  Prep your work area by laying down newspaper to prevent paint from accidentally ruining your furniture.  Weigh down or tape the edges of the newspaper to the table.  Then gather the rest of your materials.
2. Sand the Plastic Knife Handle.  Roughen up the surface of the plastic knives with sandpaper.  Then wipe down the knife with a moist paper towel.  Allow the knife to dry.  This will create a better surface for the paint to adhere to, and prevent the paint from peeling off the plastic.               
3. Prepare a Design or Dive In.  Acrylic dries quickly so I like to think about what I will draw and what colors I will use prior to painting, but feel free to dive in and start painting.  
4. Paint.  Start painting.  I painted in layers.  First, I mixed blue and white on my palette to create a light blue paint.  Then I painted the knife handle and about 3/4" past the knife handle a light blue.  It is not necessary to paint the whole knife because the serrated edge of the knife will be beneath the soil line.  While I waited for my first layer to dry, I cleaned my paint brush by swirling it in water and drying off the excess moisture.  Then I painted a picture of the fruit or vegetable (also in layers).  Lastly, I used a fine brush and black acrylic paint to "write" the plant names.  
5. Stick it in the Ground.  Place the knife in the ground so that the painted handle is exposed.  Now you have a unique, inexpensive, weather-proof plant label!          

Double Duty Wall-Mount Jewelry Armoire

1.  Wall-Mount Photo Frame/Jewelry Armoire

Worthington Antique Walnut Photo Collage

Sick of the clutter on my dresser, I decided to chuck my eclectic collection of jewelry boxes and opt for a jewelry armoire.  I chose a wall-mount jewelry armoire that doubles as a photo frame, and I am very happy with my choice.  By utilizing my wall space, I freed up space on top of my dresser.  My jewelry is still organized, easily accessible, and neatly tucked away.

 

2.  Wall-Mount Mirror/Jewelry Armoire

SEI Wall-Mount Jewelry Armoire with Mirror, Walnut

I have a friend who has a wall-mount mirror/jewelry armoire.  She loves it.  Her wall-mount armoire stores all of her jewelry, and she can easily try on her accessories in front of the mirror.

3.  Wall-Mount Photo Frame/Mirror/Jewelry Armoire

Wall Mounted Jewelry Armoire with Photo Frame in Antique Black

Here is a wall-mount jewelry armoire that combines both photo frame and mirror.