Saturday, January 2, 2016

Old Book Mail Organizer

This project is a great way to start your new year off right with some resolutions to get organized!

Does your kitchen table, counter, entry table or other horizontal space routinely look like this?
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
For me it is the kitchen table and I have fought the mail pile for years.  I have tried a big metal box to keep it organized, binders, a mail sorter--none of it seems to work.  And honestly, I am not sure this will either.

mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
But, not one to give up and ever the optimist, I am trying a new system.  If anything, it is certainly cuter than the binders and metal box.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
Want to make one too?  Start with a piece of wood--mine is approximately 10"x 22".  I painted it grey.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
Then find three great old book covers, ones that are maybe a bit larger.  (And before the bibliophiles bash me--I have probably between 60-75 old books I cannot stand to tear apart and won't!). Measure the width of the books.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
I started with adding some scrapbook metal label holders.  I marked where to put them 
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
and then drilled through the cover 
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
and secured them with the mini brads provided.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
Next, I cut some fabric trapezoids (getting a math lesson too) about an inch longer than the width.  I doubled the fabric so there would be a nice fold on the top edge.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
Using hot glue, secure the fabric to one side of the book cover.  
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
Do not glue the fabric to the binding yet.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
Securing the other side can be a bit tricky, but not too bad.  Put the glue on the fabric and then bring the cover up to it.  You have to do it one side at a time--sticking your hand in the book helps.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
Then glue the end to the book binding.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
Secure the books to the board with screws, screwed in at an angle.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
I added my labels--This Week,
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
This Month,
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
Sometime.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html
I will let you know in a few months how this new system is working for me.
mail organizer old books http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/01/old-book-mail-organizer.html

22 comments:

  1. Great idea Becky! I am pretty much hopeless when it comes to clutter issues...maybe something like this would help. My husband gave me the first 3 seasons of Downton Abby for Christmas. I watched all 3 seasons in one week...sooo good!

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  2. This is such a great idea! I love it - and I will be copying!!
    Have a great week.
    Jane

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  3. This is a fabulous idea, Becky!!! I don't need it for mail but my collection of vintage papers to create with is always a mess. That would be a great way to sort them. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  4. super project, great tutorial Becky! I pinned it!
    gail

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  5. I love this Becky!! So Clever, the books and the fabric are so cute!! I think it will help, I made a file system out of wood, and it totally keeps my papers off the counter, I love it!! I just have to remember to check it a few times a week so I don't forget about things.

    And Downton Abby is so fun! Enjoy!!

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  6. Oh my GOSH. I need these so bad! These are so cool!

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  7. Thank you, this is a perfect way for me to use water-damaged books that I can't seem to part with.

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  8. This is such a cool idea Becky, and I love the chevron sides! Love the bookjackets you used. I have a hard time tearing up books too, but I've found the library gives away old books and most are not worth keeping. ~Deborah

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  9. This is awesome!! I have been looking for a unique wall mail holder for quite some time now. I am totally going to try this. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. I love this! Now to find some old books.

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  11. NEEDED THIS INSPIRATION...THANKS. If not old books, the idea is great so...some variation of it ...wheee!

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  12. I love this! I keep reading the instructions on how to glue the fabric to the book, but I don't get that part. Do you have a You Tube video?

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  13. This is awesome! Thanks for sharing, xoxo

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  14. I love this idea! Now I know what to do with my old books. Thanks for sharing this. Greetings from the Netherlands

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  15. Your idea is by far the best.... and the votes (mine included) have you in the lead! Best of luck!

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  16. Perfect for my daughters homework area! Thank you!!!!

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  17. A good alternative to old books (for those who don't wish to or don't have any to work with) is old 3 ring binders. You can always find them at thrift stores and yard sales if you don't already have a ton of them left over from school. Just take the rings out and reuse them in some other recycle organization project. Cover the outside of the binder with scrap fabric, contact paper, or even a clear page cover to put pictures in. Then follow the rest of the instructions.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!