Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Wow & Updating Storage

First of all, I just have to say wow (and thank you) to all of my new followers!  I feel so honored that you all want to actually listen to what I have to say :)   Hopefully I will be able to share ideas that you all will enjoy or can use! 

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Organizing- have to admit, I am a little obsessed with it.  That is what I am focused on today!!! 

So... during the past school year,  I  really tried to update my classroom & just add some special touches.  One of the things that was driving me crazy was my organization area.  In the past, I had two of the three drawer rolling carts with all of my things inside (since I don't have a desk- my old teacher desk was about 40 years old, no joke and I never used it!!!).  It got to where it was a HUGE hassle to find anything.  So, I decided to change up things. 

First, I went on Amazon and bought these:
Big Stacking Organizer
Smaller Stacking Organizer

It took me a few weeks to decide which ones I wanted.  I went through all of my items and made a list- honestly, if you are going to buy these- it is better to buy something with more drawers than not enough.  As of this moment, I don't have any extra drawers.  If I could do it all over again, I would have bought 2 large ones (or like a girl on my team, buy one of the huge ones). 

I took out all of the drawers and gave each a light coat of the kilz white primer spray paint.  Then gave each 2 light coats of light blue spray paint.  Let them cure for a few hours (should have waited longer, but I am impatient) and got to work on the drawers.  I went in and typed up all of the items I had written down.  Then I modge-podged the labels to small pieces of scrapbook paper (from Hobby Lobby) into each drawer. 

Enough talking- here is the final result:  (Yes, this is the worst pic!!!  My plan is to try and take a better pic later to share).


LOVE it!!! It makes me smile every day.  Now I know where everything is in a glance!  The drawers do shift a bit (like the reviews say), but my OCD self just readjusts them when they look strange. 

My second update I wanted to share was to my three drawer paper organizers.   I was working at my room one Saturday and started spray painting everything in sight. 


They were looking a little haggard.  I gave them each 2 coats of lime green spray paint (I was at work and didn't have my kilz or else I would have primed them first- now I wish I had because one is a bit scratched on top, but i will just sand lightly and give it another coat).   Printed out some new labels for the front and I was in business. 

You can also see one of the $1.00 lamps I made over from Goodwill last summer:   Gave each a coat of paint (seeing a trend???).  Hot glued buttons on one and tied ribbons on the other. 



So, am I the only crazy person who spray paints everything in sight?  Has anyone else made the multi-drawer organizers? 

Today my plan is to drop off a load of items from my trunk at school and say goodbye to my classroom for the summer.   Thankfully it doesn't look as hot tomorrow as it has been.   It has been in the 90's all weekend!!! 

12 comments:

  1. I LOVE spray paint. HAH. I use it all the time. =)

    Ms. Smith
    Adventures of Ms. Smith

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  2. I think I need to invest in some spray paint! I have a stacking drawer organizer similar to yours (got mine at Lowe's) and it is my favorite thing in my classroom! It's so easy to find all those little things now...paper clips, elastic bands, etc.

    Sara :)
    Smiling In Second Grade

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  3. I love those little drawers from the home store. They hold all those little things that don't seem to have a home.

    Christine

    hoppingintofirstgrade.blogspot.com

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  4. Your storage came out great. This is on my to do list this summer! I'm new to blogging and would love if you stopped by!

    Brandi
    Success in Second Grade

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  5. I'm your newest follower and LOVE your updates on your three drawer chests and tool box organizers! I actually brought mine home this summer to clean them up/update them.
    Thank you so much for inspiring me!
    Lisa
    Stories From Second

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  6. okay- just came to your blog after your comment and I LOVE your blog design and DIY update. Don't worry I will be here for a while :)

    Katie

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  7. I love your blog on the organization. This is my plan to do this summer. Do you know what color green you used? I am using a lime green, navy and white theme in my classroom.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      It is actually Ivy Green on the drawer organizer- it does have a bit of a gloss to it (which I don't always care for). It is Krylon brand and can be found at Walmart.

      The lamp is painted in Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Satin Apple Green. Love it! I just have been out and Home Depot is a bit out of the way for me.

      Just be sure to give it a base coat of primer (I love the Kilz spray primer) and let it "cure" for at least a day before spraying it with your color. Give it several light coats and let them dry at least 45 min to 1 hour in between. Don't paint in the direct sun either (or else it will look crackly). Also, check the weather before spraying- if it is too humid it won't dry well. You should also wear a mask while spraying.

      Hope this has helped you! LMK if you need any more advice or help!

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  8. Um, the lamps are brilliant! I have lamps in my classroom, but it never, ever occurred to me to paint them to match my room- DUH!
    Thanks for another great idea! :)
    Sabrina

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  9. I love all your ideas! I'm trying to make my classroom look a bit more out together for the upcoming year. I will definitely be spray painting!

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