DIY Tabbed Dividers + Free Printable

I recently started going back to school. I'm no stranger to the school environment, but it's somewhat refreshing to be able to enter the classroom as a student rather than teacher. I'm taking some really interesting classes this semester, and I'm hoping to pick up a few new skills and learn a bit more about typography and digital illustration.

Anyhow, I was in need of some tabbed dividers for my school notebook and thought that I would go ahead and create a set for myself. I've always really disliked those yellow divider pages with the clear colored plastic holders, but there never seems to be much variety.

Here's a DIY set of tabbed dividers for you, in case you're like me. :) I've included most of the "normal" school subjects and also a few blank ones for you to fill in on your own. Happy studying!

Supplies:
Cardstock
Full-sized sheets of label paper (or regular paper + gluestick)
Single hole punch
Scissors
DIY Tabbed Divider Template

Step 1: Print out DIY Tabbed Dividers Template

Step 2: Cut out tab.

Step 3: Punch corners with a single hole punch.

Step 4: Fold in half along the printed line.

Step 5: Remove label paper (or apply glue)

Step 6: Lay tab down (stick side up) and place cardstock about 1/4 of the way on top of the tab.

Step 7: Fold tab over along pre-folded line. Press firmly.

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DIY Chalkboard Spice Jar Labels

I've been meaning to organize my spices for some time now. For the longest time, they've been sitting in Ziplock bags because I like to purchase those $.69 spices at ethnic supermarkets that come in little baggies. And it didn't make sense to me to spend $3 on a jar to store my $.69 spices. Anyway, I spotted these jars at Bed, Bath, and Beyond today for $.99 and decided it was finally time to cross this item off my to-do list.

I had some leftover chalkboard contact paper sitting around from a previous project and decided they would work perfectly for labeling my jars (and this way, I don't have to commit to certain spices!). I simply cut them down to the proper size, trimmed the corners with my corner rounding punch, and stuck them on the jars.

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Wooden Tray

I stopped by Goodwill a few days ago and came back with a few functional baskets for the house and this cute little wooden tray. I thought it'd be perfect for rounding up all the loose items I have scattered on my desk all the time (my must-have-on-hand items: calculator, little black notebooks, pencil, black pen, ruler, X-acto knife...and the cork from the champagne from our 1st anniversary - just 'cause!). I also spiffed up my recycled tin can with some fun Amy Butler fabric I had in my fabric stash.

I love that it gives me a space to put all the things I need, yet keeps everything looking nice and neat. Just the way I like.

Every time I look at my desk now, it makes me want to be productive. Best $.50 I ever spent!

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DIY Jewelry Cork Board

No matter how hard I try to keep it organized, my jewelry drawer always turns into a mess, and I can never find what I'm looking for. I've seen many lovely solutions to this, but none quite for me.

Some people hang their jewelry on jewelry stands.

(source)

Others hang it on hooks attached to the wall.

(source)

The jewelry stands I found didn't seem to hold very much, and I didn't really feel like going out and spending a whole lot on jewelry display hooks (and I'm not that into buying items with single functions). I decided instead to make my own jewelry cork board using some simple materials I had lying around the house. The only thing I had to run out and get were the cork sheets. Here's what you'll need:

foam core, 2 - 12" x 12" cork sheets, fabric, glue gun, staple gun

First, I cut out a 12" x 24" piece of foam core for the backing. Next, I hot-glued both sheets of cork board to the foam core. After that was in place, I just wrapped fabric around the entire front and stapled in place with the staple gun!

To help with the weight of the jewelry, I actually nailed the board to the wall.

finished product

I just used pins to hold up the jewelry. Push pins would probably be stronger...

Hopefully now that most of my jewelry is nicely organized and easy to access, I'll wear them more often and stop thinking that I need to buy more! :)

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Studio in a Studio

I was chatting on the phone the other day with my brother-in-law and was telling him about my new crafting studio in our new apartment. He stopped for a second and then asked, "Wait - you have a studio in your studio?"

Well, yes, I guess I do! As you know, we moved recently into a new place and while it is technically a studio, and as such is quite small, I desperately wanted a space that I could call my own. A space where I could create, where I could organize all my tools and materials and have them at arm's length!

After presenting my proposals to Dean (in the form of sketches and floor plans), he graciously allowed me to turn our dining area into my very own studio! What a sweetheart. We now eat either at the breakfast bar or parked at the coffee table in front of our TV. I think he's okay with this arrangement. :)

Here's how the space looked before - so sad and forlorn (okay, maybe that's just the poor, indoor lighting at night).
And here's a look at my studio now - so bright and cheery. :)

After lots of research, I settled on a VIKA AMON tabletop with two VIKA ARTUR trestle legs with shelves. They would have cost $90 brand-new from Ikea, but I lucked out and was able to find the whole set on Craigslist for $45. I love how the trestle legs are adjustable so that I can set the whole tabletop a couple inches higher to help prevent back fatigue when I stand up for projects.

The four cubes on the right and the ribbon spool were all bought from Michaels when they had a 50% off sale. The bookshelf on the left is from Wal-Mart. (Would not recommend buying furniture from Wal-Mart. It was such a pain to put together.)

Some details: Hope you enjoyed that peek into my little studio. :)

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Check out my threads!

I stopped by Goodwill this afternoon and picked up this handy-dandy case for $2 to organize all my threads! I love popping into thrift stores every so often because you never know what hidden treasures you just might find. :)

Did I mention I love organization...especially by color!?

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