Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Another new favorite - contact paper

On my quest to get organized and my desire to use what I have (you know the old reduce, reuse, recycle - green way of life), I have renewed my love of contact paper. That wonderful sticky paper that covers a multitude of "stuff". Rather than buying a bunch of plastic containers, I am trying to use the ones lying around the house. I got a large roll of contact paper for less than $6 (you can hardly buy 2 storage bins for that). I have been using contact paper to make cute containers. I found some sweet printed contact paper at Target the other day and have had fun making some containers.
Turning this veggie can into this cute pencil can (or May Day basket, or pony tail holder, or catch all on your desk).Turning this laundry soap box into a use-able container for holding cereal boxes that are broken down and ready for the recycling bin (or a magazine holder, or book box, or to hold the mail on your counter, or to catch miss matched socks in the laundry room...let your imagination run wild).

Here are my finished projects. The box on the left we use to hold our recycling boxes (cereal or granola bar style). The can is being used to hold pencils in the school room. The box on the right is being used to store misc. papers in the school room to keep it tidy.

13 comments:

Cheryl said...

that's a great print!

Smith Schoolhouse said...

what a great idea! I have been reusing the cans for crayons, pens, pencils, etc. for years but I never decorated them. I love this!

K-Sue said...

I really like that paper. It looks like fabric, but would not collect dust as easily. I had not thought of using laundry soap boxes, but they are so sturdy - what a good idea.

I like to paint boxes. 'Way back in the early 90's, I used to comb paint, sponge paint, or otherwise decorate boxes for storage. I am still using the man's shoebox with lid that I marbellized ca. 1993. It has held, at different times, scrapbooking supples, spare little papers, cards and pads, candles, and now it is somewhere packed away with little ceramic thingies. Important key to making it nice and making it last: a shiny sealer on top.

Anonymous said...

Love it! Great idea and beautiful! BTW, I love your new blog picture!

Julie said...

They look great and I'm loving your new blog picture too!!

Denise Punger MD IBCLC said...

Your blog photo looks wonderful.
What a creative idea with the boxes and contact paper.

DebiH. said...

Great idea and I also LOVE your new blog picture!!

Jen said...

Great idea! I need ideas to get creative....thanks!

Tim and Susan said...

Such a great idea...I'll head over to Target tomorrow (you should do a commercial) and see what they have. Again, great idea and they turned out too cute!!!

Tim and Susan said...

...It's all about HIDING THE CLUTTER!!

Chuck Peters said...

You are so creative! ...and a great problem solver. Not only does this save money, it gives things a unique & personal look. Thanks for being so resourceful! I appreciate your efforts like this a lot!

Ginny said...

Okay, I am such a geek, but I literally just gasped at the "after" picture. I guess I need some contact paper too!

Anonymous said...

WOW.... what a GREAT idea!