Day 10 - Easy Wrapping Paper and Craft Tool Storage

I have found a solution for storing my wrapping paper and vinyl rolls. First I screwed cup hooks into the back of the cupboard (with a bit of help from Hubbie), then I cut string to various lengths (so that my rolls would hang at varying heights) and threaded each piece through the centre of the rolls, I made loops at both ends of each piece of string, then simply hung the loops on the cup hooks. I also used an idea I saw on pinterest and cut some toilet rolls down one side to place around my paper to keep the ends tidy. Now my wrapping paper is nicely out of the way and I can access it easily.

Materials and Expenditure
Cup hooks (2) - 4p each from Hursts
String -  I already had in the draw - 0p
Toilet Rolls  - from my Junk Store - 0p
Total cost - £0.08p

The top part of this cupboard - where the wrapping paper is now stored, used to contain a wine rack full of alcohol (mainly spirits) that Steve had received as presents from customers over the years, most of it had never been opened so it's been boxed up whilst we decide what do do with it.  Alongside the alcohol was some of those free wine carriers that you get from supermarkets. I realised that one of these would be perfect for storing all my craft tools and bits and pieces. So I took one with nice square compartments, gave it a couple of coats of acrylic paint to strengthen it, hot glued in some boxes and pots from our junk store and there we are - a new craft caddy/trug.

Materials and Expenditure
Cardboard wine Carrier - free from Tesco's  - 0p
Small amount of acrylic paint - from my craft storage - I guess I may have used 10p's worth.
Recycled pots and boxes - from junk box - 0p
Total cost - £0.10p

Craft Cupboard List

•  Empty and paint inside. 
•  Decorate door panels with cherry blossom  artwork.
•  Create new height chart - cherry blossom?
•  Make paper storage files and organise paper and card stock.
•  Make pen/craft caddy/carousel. 
•  Green and Pink play rice could be stored in glass jars and used as decorative item?
•  Make or buy shelving to make compartments for organising paint, beads etc.
•  Come up with a way to store wrapping paper. 
•  Make spice rack type storage for inside doors to store paint etc.
•  Make caddy for glue gun and other craft basics.
•  Make a tape dispenser.
•  Decide on a way to store ribbon.
•  Collect and decorate jars to store embellishments/glitter etc.

Days 8 and 9 - Diy Cereal Box Files

Here is my new storage system for our Craft papers etc.. Made from Cereal boxes (large,stores own rice crispies or cornflakes boxes work best for A4) and wrapping paper. I designed the labels to go with the boxes, (http://craftylittleblossoms.blogspot.co.uk/p/free-printables-and-downloads.html) then simply printed and cut them out. I know they're not all nicely lined up, but in my quest to let go of perfection I'm trying to except that and am fighting the urge to redo them all.

Total cost - just £1, which was for the wrapping paper bought from the pound shop, one roll covered all 4 boxes with some to spare.

Craft Paper, Card, Foam and Felt - Before

Craft Cupboard List

•  Empty and paint inside. 
•  Decorate door panels with cherry blossom  artwork.
•  Create new height chart - cherry blossom?
•  Make paper storage files and organise paper and card stock.
•  Make pen/craft caddy/carousel. 
•  Green and Pink play rice could be stored in glass jars and used as decorative item?
•  Make or buy shelving to make compartments for organising paint, beads etc.
•  Come up with a way to store wrapping paper.
•  Make spice rack type storage for inside doors to store paint etc.
•  Make caddy for glue gun and other craft basics.
•  Make a tape dispenser.
•  Decide on a way to store ribbon.
•  Collect and decorate jars to store embellishments/glitter etc.

Day 7 - Craft Cupboard Organization

I've decided to get started on organising the craft cupboard. I'm going to be needing to use my craft supplies a lot as the house improvements continue, so it makes sense to get it done as soon as possible.

I'm afraid I got a bit carried away and forgot to take a before picture with all the stuff in it, but this is the cupboard in it's bare and original state.

This is everything that came out, it doesn't look too inspiring like that, but there are some lovely and very useful things in there, honest!

And this is Mollie (with her dinner still round her face - what a terrible mother she has, poor child) having a wonderful time in what she thinks is now her den - hopefully she'll get over the disappointment when it turns back into our crafting haven!

After a good clean, a bit of sanding down and a lick of paint, it's looking fresher and ready to house some (hopefully) well organised craft equipment. I'll be starting on that project tomorrow  by making some diy paper storage files!

Craft Cupboard List

•  Empty and paint inside. 
•  Decorate door panels with cherry blossom  artwork.
•  Create new height chart - cherry blossom?
•  Make paper storage files and organise paper and card stock.
•  Make pen/craft caddy/carousel. 
•  Green and Pink play rice could be stored in glass jars and used as decorative item?
•  Make or buy shelving to make compartments for organising paint, beads etc.
•  Come up with a way to store wrapping paper.
•  Make spice rack type storage for inside doors to store paint etc.
•  Make caddy for glue gun and other craft basics.
•  Make a tape dispenser.
•  Decide on a way to store ribbon.
•  Collect and decorate jars to store embellishments/glitter etc.