How to turn cereal boxes into a cute paper organization area

Piles of papers.  Everywhere.  They are organized piles of papers that only I know what is in them.  If someone would come and shuffle them together my system would be lost.  Sound like an effective system to you?  Me either.

We recently extended the board and batten into our kitchen desk area.  I will be revealing the finished area in a few posts after I show some of the projects that it involved.  Today I'm showing how I took two cereal boxes and turned them into a cute way to deal with your paper piles.

I only wanted my paper center to handle mail and school papers.  You could make this any size and with as many paper holders as you need.

I started with a piece of foam board and fabric.  Easy peasy.  Cut the fabric to fit the size of your foam board and hot glue the fabric to the back of the foam board.  Just like you are recovering a chair cushion.

Next I used some packing tape to reinforce the cereal boxes.  I just felt like this would make the project a little more heavy duty.

I measured out what I would like the opening of the box to look like.  And then when you have an opening you like, just poke and cut.

Here is what I thought to be the hardest part of the project--covering the cereal boxes with fabric.  I wish I could tell you exactly how I did it but it was pretty much trial and error.  Start by measuring a piece of fabric you know will cover the front and sides of the cereal box.  You don't need to worry about the back because it will be attached to the foam board.

I started by working from the bottom and moving up the front of the box and then pulling it all tight on the sides.  You'll see, if you try it.

So it's pretty smooth sailing from here on out.  I wanted a label holder to dress up the front a bit but it still looked pretty plain.  Always to the rescue is a little ribbon.  By pulling the ribbon through the two holes on the label holder it just adds a little extra detail.  Oh, and I covered the inside with grey scrapbook paper but for some reason I have no picture of that.  Blogger still in training!

I attached the cereal boxes to the foam board with hot glue.  I also wanted to add a decorative element to the foam board.  In the Ballard catalog I ogled a burlap pin board that had furniture tacks around the outside.  That was my idea but I wanted them to stand out.  But how?  Paint them yellow!

I love how my paper organizer dresses up the corner but is a functional wall hanging.  Share your pictures on Pinterest of your mail organization and message centers.

Linking to:
Organize Your Stuff Now
The Thrifty Home
DIY by Design 
Today's Creative Blog
Uncommon Design Online 
Oopsey Daisy Blog
Tutus and Teaparties 
Handyman Crafty Woman 
Southern Lovely
Itsy Bitsy Paper Blog

Somewhat Simple

House of Hepworths 

One Artsy Mama

Motivate Monday

Craftomaniac

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