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Monday, September 14, 2009

Desk organizer


I thought I would do a quick post about a desk organizer that I made from an old book. An old hardback Readers Digest works great. Making it is really simple and fun and it hold scraps of paper, notes, really anything flat very well. First, make sure your book will lay flat. Sometimes you might have to break the spine by opening the book as far as you can. Then decoupage or glue the inside cover of the book with the papers of your choice. This is where you can be creative. Just remember, you'll only see the outer half of the inside cover. Now fold all the pages in half. This is a little time consuming but pretty mindless, so you could do while watching TV or something. Last, I added decorative twill tape to each side. (You could also use ribbon) I like to use Gel Medium as my glue. It really holds great. Just fold your ribbon over about 2 inches on the other side and glue down.


That's it!!! I use mine to hold business cards, paint swatches, notes I don't want to lose, etc... Have fun making one!!!



47 comments:

beautifullybrokenme said...

What a great idea Karen - just beautiful!

:-) Molly

bobbie said...

I love this idea!! TFS!

Vicki ♥ said...

I love this idea...very clever and looks so pretty! hugs
Vicki

Tilo said...

It looks very interesting! Nice work!

BellaRosa said...

Karen what a pretty idea! Thank you for sharing it..be well..be happy..be loved, Rose

Anonymous said...

That is so clever! I can't part with old books, even if they are falling apart. I'll try this idea soon!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That is very clever, Karen! You are so creative ~ I would never have thought to do something like that with a book.

Sheila Rumney said...

What a wonderful idea!

The French Bear said...

Wonderful idea, thanks!!! How did it go with your tags? I am positive they loved them!!!!! It will be exciting to see them published!!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Pat @ My Tattered Elegance said...

Very clever idea. It looks so nice and useful. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Pat

Oliver's said...

Wonderful idea!!! I mentioned you in my latest post...finally got my lables on my jars. Thanks for all of your great ideas, Paula

Lisa said...

What a fabulous idea! It's so shabby cute...and useful.:)

Deborah said...

This is ever so Clever! I am working on a redo of my home office and this is PERFECT! I cannot tell you how much I LoVe it!!! **blows kisses** Deb

Mammabellarte Rita Reade said...

It's bellissimo and practical. Ciao Rita

vintage girl at heart said...

LOVE this!!! So fun and functional!!! Thanks for sharing it with us!

The Green Pea said...

I love this idea, thank you for sharing with us. sandi

Connie said...

That's darling, sugar. I think I'll make one for my "notes" here at my desk. Perhaps a small book though. I have MANY of those around.
xoxo,
Connie

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, I love it! I would love to do this to hold all my paper scraps!

Unknown said...

Karen this is just perfect!!! I am so in love . Anything with old book totally rock for me . thanks for sharing!!

Ana said...

Hi Karen,
What a clever and fun idea plus it seems very easy to make. I like it! You are so creative! Thanks for sharing this great craft idea with us. Have a wonderful day.

Smiles,
♥Ana~A Petite Cottage

Robin Ennis Willson said...

What a great idea! We used to make christmas trees from old reader's digest magazines, folding the pages a little differently, then standing bottom up.
In fact I got in trouble for teaching others how to do it during Mass one time. I think it was during Lent. We were in Catholic School and had to go to Mass every day. I knew how to do "busy work" to sit quietly, and thought it was a good way to spend my time...plus good to teach others...LOL The Nuns didn't think so!!!
Thanks for the idea and for bringing back the memory :)
Robin

Debra said...

What a great book idea so unique.

Enjoy,
Debra

The Feathered Nest said...

Karen!! This. is. WONDERFUL!!! I love it...I love recycling and love books as well ~ excellent idea, xxoo, Dawn

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

Karen, what a wonderful Idea, I was just thinking about getting a rolodex, but this is too cute.

Thank you, Cindy@stitches

Pam @ Frippery said...

Wonderful and creative!

kana said...

Great idea....functional and pretty! Thanks for sharing.

Vana said...

it's a great idea and very useful! i will definatly try to do the same!

Lisa said...

Karen,
You are too clever! Send that one to Stampington. Lisa

EMBELLISH said...

How clever. I love it!

Marilyn Miller said...

What a perfectly, clever idea.

Charlene said...

What a clever idea!!!! You are such a crafty girl. So nice to see fresh ideas & THANKS for sharing them with us. Has your weather started cooling down yet? We finally have gotten a break & some much needed rain. Have a great week.

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Karen, this is just super cool!! I must try this..thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
Stephanie

Debbi said...

wow, what an inspirational idea! Amazing repurposing of an old book!

Artsy Fartsy Junkin Finds said...

Heart it to pieces, so creative!!! Hugs, Janna

Cathy said...

I love this idea! How clever! I just happen to have a couple of these books laying around--being saved to make bookmarks from, but one is going to be turned into your ever so cool desk organizer. Thank you for sharing!

Cathy ♥

Sara said...

That so cute. I made something similar awhile ago and is interesting to see how many different tings we can create with the same item. I love your idea to use it as desk organizer.

Sara

Karen said...

I love the idea! It seems like I recall making something with a book and folded pages when I was in grade school, can't remember what it was, and now you have me stumped! Thanks for sharing,Karen

Rebecca said...

Very creative Karen! It looks great and very useful.
Blessings
Rebecca

Uncanny Festoon said...

what a great Christmas card holder this could make. note to self- add readers digest books to hunt it down list!

The Rustic Victorian said...

your beyond creative!!! Great idea, well done!

Stef said...

http://blackberryquilts.blogspot.com/2010/06/desktop-organizer.html
I love this idea! Perhaps I need to go to a garage sale to find just the right sized book!!!

Elena Litvinova said...

fantastic idea! I can not understand how to make lists of books in such a semi-circle? Sheets glued to each other?

Elena Litvinova said...

Thanks! Now I understood:))

Anonymous said...

Wish I had thought of that! I have lots of Readers Digest books just waiting for me to use them, so I think I'll give it a try. Thanks!

jacirascrap said...

Que livro alterado impressionante!!!

Dortesjs said...

aww totally love this desk orgenaizer will make it for me and soon go to a shift store..have a great day

Tea in the Library said...

I was lounging on the couch pouting because I am on bed rest for a few days when I remembered I've had this project book marked for a while...perfect! I can fold pages in between naps! Where Bloggers Create 2013 will provide lots of inspiration and in a week pneumonia (in the SUMMER, can you believe it?)will be a fading memory and every time I use it I'll think of Where Bloggers Create 2013

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