Craft Room Organizer from Upcycled Denim

I created this organizer from upcycled denim for my granddaughter's craft space.

  It has lots of pockets for storing scissors, glue, markers or other supplies. 

Here's how I made it: 

I upcycled a denim dress for the backing fabric.  I decided on the final size and cut two pieces from the skirt part of dress.  I placed them right sides together, machine stitched together, leaving room to turn it right side out. 

I then blind-stitched the opening. I ironed it so the edge was flat and straight. Then I machine stitched around the perimeter about 1/2" from the edge to give a finished look. 

I folded the top edge down on the back side to create a rod pocket, then glued it down with good old white school glue.  I used clip clothespins to hold it together until it dried. I purchased a dowel rod and cut to length. You can either tie a cord on either end to hang it, or you could use cup hooks on the wall and rest the ends in them. 

I had a stack of jean pockets in my stash that I had salvaged from old worn jeans.  I cut around each pocket, trimming close to the edge.  This kept the leg part of the jean on the back of pocket.  I arranged the pockets on the backing piece, layered some on top of each other.  I then applied glue to back of each one, pressing them in place.  I added some buttons for accents, gluing these in place.  I also created a flower from lace and added that also.

I think it turned out really cute! My granddaughter loved it.

I also used denim pieces from the legs of the old jeans to cover tin cans of various sizes.  Trimmed these out with old lace and other trim.  Glued the three together for a cute pencil holder for her craft desk.

So what do you think?

On a roll...more makeovers...

I'm on a roll...making great progress today...decided to clean up/rearrange my desk area today. So to do that, I needed to paint a couple of items. The little blue dresser has been in my one bathroom for years. I have been considering painting it but never got to it. I decided to move it by my desk for files, but the blue had to go. (almost forgot to take a before pic) So out came the black paint, a little sanding, some paste wax and voila! I love it!

The little shelf organizer I tried in my kitchen awhile, but it didn't work there. So I decided to paint it up and use it on my desk. I love how it looks too! Not quite sure how I will organize paperwork on the shelves--I think I will scavenge in my stash to see if I have a flat wooden box to corral papers until they are filed. (The row of items on the top is various memorabilia from my town--note the Pep Club pin--Go Dayton! Well, the school has been closed for several years since merging with the neighboring town, but it's still my alma mater. The ruby flash pitcher and little green glass trophy cup are Dayton Fair souvenirs from ~early 1900's. Also an old advertising "foil" pic from a long-gone grocery store and a silhouette thermometer pic from the old hardware--phone number on it is 52-R-2. Gives you some idea of the age of it! There's also an old Fire Police badge snuck in there.)

I repainted the pedestal plant stand--was white (no before pic)--and also painted the two hat stands. These items are for my shop. I still have the paint out and have a stack of things that need painted. Maybe I'll get the rest done tonight.