Hanging Mail Sorter Project

Recently, I decided I needed a hanging mail sorter to help reduce the clutter on our kitchen table, but when I priced them I found that they were really expensive (wayfair.com $99.00 ballarddesigns.com $119.00). Then I was in a craft store and they were having a sale on photo storage boxes, which gave me an idea...

Choose three photo storage boxes (dimensions roughly 11 1/2" l x 8" w x 4"h).  The project will look best with three boxes of the same pattern.  I really liked the Paris, France pattern, but they only had two boxes with that pattern, so I chose a third in a coordinating solid color. 

Turn the box upside-down, with a short end facing you.  Using the measurements in the photo above, make cut and fold lines for the mail pockets. Repeat the measurements on the opposite short side and then connect the lines across the long bottom of the box.

Cutting on the inner line, as indicated in the photo above, cut off the right-hand, long side of the box. 

Repeat the measurements and cuts on the left-hand, long side of the box.  The above photo shows the box after both sides have been cut off.  This will give you two mail pockets.  Discard (recycle) the center section of the box.

Using your pencil lines as a guide, fold in the edges of each mail pocket.  Trim the upper back corners of each pocket, as shown above, so that the corner won't stick up above the pocket when you join the pockets to the backing.

Repeat the measuring, folding, and trimming process on the second box and you will have four mail pockets.

On the lower back corners of each pocket, trim as shown above, so the pockets will lie flat on the backing.

Lay the three box tops flat on a surface, with the long sides together, and glue with a hot glue gun.  Apply hot glue to the folded edges of each pocket and press onto box covers.  I aligned the bottom pocket with the bottom edge.  I hid the seam of the bottom two boxes by placing a pocket on top of them.  I aligned the bottom of the top pocket with the seam of the top and middle box cover and spaced the second pocket slightly below that.  I used strips of the leftover Paris, France patterned cardboard to cover the exposed edges of the top box (the tan box), so the pattern would be the same on the sides, from top to bottom.  

I thought the top panel looked plain so I printed a "MAIL" sign on my computer.  I pasted it on with a glue stick and then covered the entire mail sorter with two coats of clear polyurethane (Plaid-FolkArt brand indoor/outdoor sealer in satin finish) to protect the cardboard and make it easier to dust and wipe clean. 

I hung the completed mail sorter in my kitchen.  Total cost for the project....$2.00 each, for three boxes, for a total of $6.00.  I already had the glue gun, glue sticks, and polyurethane, but if you had to buy them they wouldn't cost more than $20.00 altogether.  I hope this inspires you to make your own hanging mail sorter.  Happy creating!

Merry Christmas

Pie - R - Shared

There's just something about Fall that instills in me the overwhelming desire to bake something!

We went apple picking last weekend at a local organic apple farm that offered the widest variety of apples I've ever seen at any one orchard.  The apples were spotty and we had to pass many of them by due to numerous worm holes, but the ones we brought home were juicy and just perfect for pie-making. Ah, the sweet, irresistible smell of baking apples!  We waited with anticipation for the pie to reach perfection in the oven, and when it was done baking I served it steaming hot with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.  Delicious! 

* Floral pottery plate, in the 'Pansy Blue' pattern, handmade by Greig Pottery Ltd., Gagetown, New Brunswick.  For more information visit www.greigpottery.com  

Just Monkeying Around

I was having fun today playing with www.picmonkey.com  If you haven't tried it before it's a great simple program for creating collages, banners, headers, adding text to photos, etc.  It's user-friendly and very useful for Blogger, Etsy, and Facebook.  The basic version is free and there are more options available if you upgrade, but I'm not sure of the cost.   

Goodwill Hunting

These are some of my most recent scores from the local Goodwill store.  They may show up in my Etsy store or on EBAY, or they may hang around for a while.  Sometimes they have a mind of their own and choose to become presents for friends and family members. Shopping at Goodwill and other vintage sellers is a great way to recycle and keep vintage items from ending up in landfill.  Plus, I like knowing that I have saved a little piece of history.    

A Light in the Forest

My husband and I have been working hard to make our backyard into a restful retreat and felt a Japanese lantern would complete this corner.  However, when researching the prices of traditional lanterns I learned they can cost thousands of dollars.  My husband decided to create his own lantern and this is the final result.  I think he did a wonderful job!  Plus, utilizing stones we had in our yard is a green alternative to purchasing a carved lantern.  Placing a candle holder in the open section in the middle casts a relaxing glow and creates a soothing ambiance. 

Lady(ies) Who Lunch

Today's delicious lunch....Baja Shrimp Quesadillas and Gazpacho.  Very easy to make and perfect for a hot summer afternoon.