recycle project no. 14 - drawer organizer

I saved a couple of cereal boxes a while back and today I used them to make a drawer organizer. Everything in the drawers of a small Ikea drawer unit I have slide back and forth and I was getting tired of that. I love the neutral colors of Muji stationery supplies and that was a tiny inspiration too.

The first thing I made was a basic box that is as wide as the inside of the drawer. The divider is made out of another piece of a cardboard and it covers the bottom of the box, which make the whole project very sturdy.



I purposefully didn't want any part of the outer graphics to be visible. I didn't take a photograph of the finished outer box but I covered the sides with left-over kraft paper I had. If you prefer something more colorful use gift wrap, leftover wall paper or scrapbooking paper.



Notice that the back of the drawer has one of my magazine bowls.



So, why did I disappear? So many things happened in the last month. Right after the hurricane it was difficult to fall back into our routine. It sounds rather silly considering we had it really easy but other friends had the same trouble. The kids were out of school for two weeks so that didn't help either. Aside from that, I had to re-shoot some photos for my book (my photographer was here last week and the house was a wreck again), revise my manuscript a couple of times, worked on some things including an illustration for the cover of a magazine (fun + unexpected), the obvious mom/wife/family-life things and then the worst of all, I had some personal health issues sneak up on me. I had several medical appointments, was poked for exams and had minor surgery on Tuesday. I had a serious reality check and several days filled with introspective thinking and I'm more focused on my priorities now. Physically all is well now, except for the ravages of the breathing tube that make my neck feel like it was run over by a car and my throat all scratched up by barbed wire.

Needless to say things have been busy around here. When I'm stressed and really busy my creativity comes to a screeching halt which ironically makes me even edgier if that makes any sense. I certainly didn't feel like giving you a daily depressing account about all this (one paragraph was plenty, right?). But I did miss being around. So today I feel like I'm really back—really.

What did I miss? I haven't read any blogs in forever and I've only been semi-Twittering. Do you have any great links to share?

16 comments:

  1. I have a few drawers that could use organizing - thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow, hope you're feeling better. what a month you've had!

    what have i been up to? well, i don't know if you were around for it, but i launched my new division of marzipan inc.: www.finandroe.com it's been really exciting. i also started a photo of the day post on my blog since i got a new camera for my birthday. other than that, just busy as usual!

    be well. -lori

    ReplyDelete
  3. Welcome back!

    Sad to hear about the health issues. In the end, that´s the most important thing, isn´t it? I guess we just forget it too often.

    Thanks for the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank everyone!!

    Lia - your trees are very sweet!

    Lealou & Momo - I have to tackle my messier drawers. This was an easy one!

    Lori - WOW! Congratulations! I have to check out your new site when I get a chance-- or maybe I was already there? I don't remember. In any case, I hope it's a huge success.

    Billy - Yes! Health is the most important thing of all. My mom has a saying about that in Spanish - I'm sure you've heard the same one too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sorry to hear about your health issues and the other difficulties. I'm just glad to hear things are falling back into place and am happy to have you back!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great idea!

    But it sure sounds like you've had a rough month! I hope things are getting better :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. The drawer divider is a great idea. Thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear about the medical issues, there is nothing more stressful than possible health problems, your own or your loved ones. I am glad and relieved to hear that everything seems ok.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow that's very useful! thanks!

    Organizers are so expensive for the materials that they are made of. I'm glad to make my own.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so sorry to hear you have been unwell. I really hope it is all cleared up for you now. after a crazy month you go and post something for everyone else...what a generous woman you are!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. i am so glad to hear you are ok, patricia. sorry that you had to go through so much! i know what you mean about creativity stopping when you are under stress - the same thing happens to me. of course, it is also the best therapy!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi,
    I like the way you organize your things. I like to keep my things to a minimum, neat and simple, easy to find when you need it. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sorry to hear you were under the weather! Hope you're on the up and up!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great gophers, when it rains, it pours! I'm so sorry all this piled on top of you at the same time, especially the worries about your health. I'm glad to have you back, and wish you God's blessings for good health. Congratulations on the shout out from Craft, it was so deserved!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Genius! I use boxes in drawers, but never figured out how to divide the boxes. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  15. these drawer organizers are really amazing. thanks for the great idea!

    ReplyDelete