Are you ready for an easy way to customize and beautify your workspace for dirt cheap?
For a long time, I’ve been searching for a nice desktop file holder to store and organize all of our important documents and papers. Since we use e-bills for the most part, we didn’t need something big and bulky like a file cabinet. And I didn’t want an accordian style organizer anymore. I wanted a cute, sleek one like these…
… but every one I found like this was over $25.00 and I was just too cheap to pay that much… especially when this guy did the same function and only cost me $4.50.
The downside? It’s pretty ugly, right?! Well, it sat in my craft room for a month until today, when I finally decided to do something about it.
I started with scrapbook paper, but it wasn’t wide enough and I didn’t want a piecework front. That’s when the idea of using fabric hit me. I grabbed some fabric, cardboard, spray adhesive, and got started.
I had this fabric leftover from some chairs that I recovered (which I may eventually get around to sharing with you). I found it in the clearance section for $4.00/meter. To start, I traced the sides with cardboard – leave a little edge (about a quarter of an inch) on the front and back pieces so they will sit in front of the sides.
Once your pieces are cut, start wrapping them in fabric and using spray adhesive to secure them. Leave a flap at the top to wrap over the black plastic part at the top for a more finished look.
Next, get out your glue gun and start by gluing the sides on, and then the front and back.
Once your sides are all glued on, it will look like this on the inside:
I didn’t cover the back of my sides because no one is ever going to be looking inside my file folder. You easily can though, if you are crazy like that would like to. Trim the corners of the flaps so that the width of the flaps are the same width as the panels (this will get rid of that corner bulge that you often get.) Using your glue gun, fold the flaps inside and over the black plastic part of your file holder.
I added a D monogram to the front of ours, it just needed that little extra touch, and I loved it. I simply glued the letter on with hot glue.
Not too shabby for $4.50, eh? I think I’m going to need some more desk accessories to match!
Mrs. Mama says
Such a simple yet expensive looking project…thanks for sharing!
meet.make.laugh. says
Very cute!!
Barbara Hiatt says
You are so crafty!!! Love this makeover and love the fabric Sarah!
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says
I am in love with this fabric! So cute, friend!
Meredith @ Wait Til Your Father Gets Home says
Absolutely love this idea! Trying it out soon 🙂
Ida says
Super cute Sarah! I might have to try this!
Val Fitzpatrick says
I love that print, so creative!
Rebecca @ Herons Crafts says
This is such a brilliant way to cute-up your organisation! I love it!
Chelsea @ Making Home Base says
LOVE it!!!
Desiree Fisher says
So doing this thanks for sharing.
Desiree @ YourCraftyFriend
Kelly says
So pretty! I love when a project is pretty AND functional! Thanks for linking this up to Monday Funday!
Kelly @ view along the way
Stacie says
Do you know where I could find the black base?
Sarah says
Mine is from Staples!