{back 2 basics} tater tots and jello

 I just love Jen.  She is one of the first people that started reading my blog, and was so encouraging and kind. Not only is she the nicest girl around, but she's incredibly creative and talented.  It's an honor to have her here today!

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Hi there!! I’m Jen from Tatertots & Jello. I’m so excited to be here at Brown Paper Packages. I have loved hearing all of the great ideas in Kierste’s Back to School series.

I am not a naturally organized person. So one of the things that’s hard when my kids go back to school is keeping track of all of the papers and notes that come home in their backpacks. There have been many times that some “crucial” papers have been accidentally swept into the garbage in one of my efforts to tidy up my kitchen. And the kitchen is where everything seems to get dumped after school.

I have a desk in my kitchen that was the catch-all for everything that came in the door. Plus, the area right above my desk was full of outlets, a very unattractive intercom system thing-a-ma-bob and phones. Very ugly.

So I tried to come up with an idea that would take all of those papers, plus make the space a little prettier.

here’s what I came up with. I scored a big old frame at a garage sale for $1.

So I spray painted it white and then I found this adorable Bicycle Fabric at Spoonflower. Have you heard of Spoonflower? It’s a really great site that lets you print your own fabric designs or buy some that from artists all over the world. I love this fabric – it’s playful and it matches my new Kitchen Remodel colors.

{Let’s Ride}

I took a piece of sheet metal and trimmed it to fit over the original painting. Then I covered it with this fabric. I fitted it back in the frame and voila – a pretty magnet board that covers up all of those unattractive cords and outlets – yay!!

Then I found a clear file folder from Office Depot. I covered some manila file folders with scrapbook paper and printed off labels for everyone in the family. I attached the file folder holder to the wall with some 3M Command Strips. So if I ever want to take it down, my painted cabinet will not be ruined.

And directly under the clear folder, I put a tray from Ikea. I put some vintage jello molds inside of an old bread pan with paper clips, rubber bands and other office-y things. Plus I put a couple pot-it note pads so people can take down messages when people call.

So now I have a place to put those important school papers that are filed away, but easily accessible. And best of all, hopefully nothing important will end up in the trash this school year!!

Thanks for letting me come by!! I’d love it if you came over and said hi sometime over at Tatertots and Jello!!

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Okay, I have that same darn ugly cord thing going on!  I'm so happy to have some inspiration!  Thanks so much Jen!  Don't forget to stop by Tater Tots and Jello for even more of her fabulous projects and ideas!