DIY Cardboard Desk Organizer

For the longest time, I've been meaning to find a way to organize my desk in such a way that everything I need is within an arm's reach and that I don't have to dig though my things to get something. A couple of weeks ago, while browsing through Pinterest, I saw a some desk organizer ideas (here and here) and I knew I had to make my own to replace the plastic cups and ceramic mugs that have populated my desk for years.

I salvaged some Swiss Miss boxes (they're pretty sturdy), cut them into parts and covered them with white paper. I picked out some washi tape to cover the exterior with and then I used leftover kraft wrapping paper with floral designs for the interior. Finally, I covered everything with two coats of ModPodge (I got a bottle from Deovir in SM North Edsa).

my choice of washi tape: pastel colors, lace, florals and a map

Some photos in action. Of course I forgot to take a 'before' photo of my desk. And of course, I've no 'during' photos either. LOL.

I have to say I'm satisfied with how the project turned out. My desk looks more organized and prettier now. Plus, I didn't have to buy anything because all materials are either recycled or has been in my crafting stash ever since.

I hope to keep up the desk organizing. Right now, I'm thinking my next project shall either (1) fix my notebooks and paper stash or (2) fix my drawer and be inspired by this. One at a time, one at a time. 

Coloring and Cleaning on a Saturday

I was feeling so glorious last Saturday morning because I didn't have any immediate self-imposed deadlines to finish. I had forced/motivated myself to finish all the checking [of school requirements] the night before so that I can spend the Saturday for myself.

First thing after breakfast, I brought out my watercolor and brushes. It's been months since I last painted. 

In the afternoon, I reorganized my office supplies (because I was really bothered by the mess). I simply used boxes to compartmentalize my drawer. I used to have my office supplies scattered into different places (on top of my desk, inside my drawer, in my bookshelf). Now they're organized inside one drawer and within arm's reach from my desk/work station.

Look at what I found while I was cleaning: my Geology 11 review materials. When I was an undergraduate student, I liked making my own reviewers before exams because I remember things a lot better when I write them down. :))

I spent the rest of the day cleaning my room, organizing my things and answering to students' emails (which can be a little stressful but I manage anyway). I'll probably need to spend more time during the coming weeks cleaning my room. I hope I'll do a good job!

Organizing Ribbons and Lace Trims

Two days ago, I bought some ribbons and lace because an orgmate asked me to do some costume accessories (hats, cuffs, chokers) for her and for her sister that they'll be wearing to the upcoming AME 1UP.

The next day, yesterday, I really wanted to start working on them because inspiration was there and I wanted to take advantage of it. However, my OC self was also kicking in. I couldn't start sewing unless I had all my ribbons (old and new) organized neatly.

This is how I used to organize my ribbons: the thin ribbons are kept together by paper tubes or tape while the thicker ones are simply rolled together and then I put everything in a box. It's not that bad but I knew that something better could be done and that was my goal.

I'm sorry for not showing the photo of the whole box. I was too excited on organizing that I forgot to take a "before" photo. I've already started organizing when I took the photos above. (See the cutting mat?)

Before, I've seen a ribbon organization technique that involves a basket and wooden sticks. This technique, however, is not feasible for me because I don't buy ribbons by the spool-- I buy them by the meter, depending on my needs.

photo from web

Yesterday, I felt a bit more motivated to organize my ribbons and found this site [at the top results]. Finally, I found something that will work for me.

1. I cut some cardboard (recycled).
2. I wrapped the ribbons around the cardboard.
3. I secured the roll with a rubber band (recycled too).

See, it was easy and costs nothing! I'm so happy that my ribbon box is finally organized. I should probably put some dividers inside the box next time but this will do for now. 

Organizing Closet Doors

While it may not look THAT bad in the photo, my closet door is really disorganized. It's overflowing and occasionally, the belts and necklaces get tangled. 

Initially, only the right door is installed with hooks. My dad put them when they had the closets made almost 8 years ago (at the same time, we moved to our current house). For almost eight years, all my belts, long necklaces and hats are cramped into those six little hooks as shown in the BEFORE photo. I knew it was no longer a question of organization. I really had to install more hooks.

Luckily, after months of procrastination, I was able to drag myself into buying more closet hooks from Japan Home Center in Trinoma. I got 3 boxes of hooks (containing 5 each) for a total of PhP88. 

BEFORE: the right door

I put extra hooks on the left door. I decided that this is where the hats and the necklaces will go.

I'm not exactly a hat person so I thought three hooks would be enough. One for my crochet beret, one for my old newspaper boy hat and another for a fedora that I am yet to buy. :)

Below the hats is where my necklaces went. Before, I put my short chokers in a container with my bracelets and watches and other accessories because I didn't have enough space at the closet door. However, now that I do, all the necklaces, short and long, are together now!

AFTER: the left door

All the belts (with some ribbons and the thin scarf) stayed on the right door. I think they need better organization but I believe this is alright for now. :)

AFTER: the right door

Organizing Beach Keepsakes

Admit it. When you go on a trip to the beach, you can't help gathering some sand, stones, dead shells and dead corals.

Until a while ago, my beach keepsakes are either lumped together in a bowl where my dad puts his beach keepsakes (and therefore lost with everyone and can no longer be identified) or stored in a plastic bag. Ack.

Today, I finally had time to buy some glass jars for them (at least for the ones stored in plastic).

Represent: Puerto Galera and Malcapuya Island
No Boracay because I got sick during the last day and forgot about gathering some keepsake. :(

I found the idea on Tumblr and Pinterest. I wish I had learned about this before I started college so that all the keepsakes from my field trips (I had a lot of field trips to the beach during college... don't ask me why, I just did.) got documented. But oh well, it's not yet too late. :) At least, now, I don't have random plastic bags with pebbles and whatnot inside my room. 

Maybe I should put cute labels inside the jars.

Organizing Keychains and Cellphone Swings

Cleaning makes me realize a few things about myself

1. I'm a packrat.
2. I'm a hoarder.

Yesterday was the submission of grades and today was spent de-cluttering my room and doing my laundry. With regards to de-cluttering, so far, I've only been successful with cleaning (my room attracts so much dust), taking out a bunch of papers and re-organizing my corkboard.

Represent: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Egypt, Paris and Vienna

This corkboard is the backdrop to my study table at home. This is where I pin keychains and cellphone swings. Why pin them there? Because I have so much of them! I have a number of gashapons from college (when I was still addicted to anime). Some of the items are pasalubong or gifts from family and friends. Others are souvenirs I bought from events or from my trips abroad. 

You see, it'll be impossible to attach all the keychains to my bag zippers or all the phone swings to my phone. Initially, I thought about putting them in a box (how typical haha) so that they won't gather dust but then I also thought that I didn't want to simply hide them away so I decided to pin them (on the corkboard given to me by Sty-chan a few Christmases ago) and just deal with the dust every now and then. 

Ah, de-cluttering is far from done. I have a bunch of office supplies that I need to organize. I never knew I had a lot of supplies because I haven't been buying much! Most of these are old stuff (mostly from high school, some from college) and they're scattered into different containers. Time to bring them together but first I have to figure out how to do that.

Stationery, papers, stickers, etc. scattered in different boxes

Organizing is such a challenge for me, a hoarding packrat. But I remember that last summer, I was successful at organizing my closet so I guess I can deal with this too. :)