Office Update: 4 Drawer Organizer Tutorial

Hi there paper crafting friends!  It’s Michelle Starcher, aka the Bookish Designer, hopping onto the blog to walk you through the steps to create Lori’s 4 Drawer Organizer (SVGSilhouette).  This organizer is perfect if you need extra organization for your office.  There are several sizes available including a 6 Drawer (SVG, Silhouette) and 8 Drawer Organizer (SVG, Silhouette).  The assemble is the same for all sizes, so you can use this tutorial when putting together all of your drawer organizers.

In this photo tutorial, I will break down the steps to create this 4 Drawer Organizer.  I wanted my box to match the Disney inspired organizers I made at the beginning of the school year, so I used Lori’s new collection, A Magical Place, from Echo Park Paper Co.  When I opened the file in Cricut Design Space, I had a note telling me to make four copies of the drawer and base file, so I made extra copies of those and sent the project to my machine.

My next step was to assemble the drawers for the organizer.  I folded the drawers along the score lines and added adhesive tape as shown on the backside of my red cardstock.  Next, fold in the top and bottom portions as show in the top right image.  Be sure to remove the paper from your adhesive if needed.  Fold in the flaps next to the drawer front (the one with the circle cut-out) and adhere those to the tabs. You should have the start of box as shown in the bottom left image.  Then, remove any paper from your adhesive strips and fold in the left and right flaps.  There are tabs on each side that fold inside the box to hold everything together.  Repeat this process for all four drawers.

Now, you are ready to assemble the box.  Before you get started, fold along all of the score lines and add adhesive as shown in the top left image.  Next, remove adhesive paper and fold each of the bottom flaps up as shown in the top right image.  Fold the four panels to form a box shape and close using the tab (bottom left image).  Then, close the box by folding the remaining piece up and close using the three tabs.  You should have an open side, which will hold one of the drawers you made earlier.  Repeat this process for all four of the base pieces.

Next you will assemble the four base pieces to create the organizer.  Stack the pieces to create a 2×2 square with all four openings facing you.  Add adhesive to the connecting sides of each cube.  Combine organizers bases two at a time and stack. 

For your final step, you will attach the large square and four rectangles to the case of your organizer to hide seems.  The square will go on the back of your organizer and the four rectangles will go on the top, bottom, and sides of the organizer.  The four rectangles are the same size, so unless you used a pattern paper, it doesn’t matter where you place them (top, bottom, or sides).  Next, add the pattern paper to your organizer and drawer fronts.  Same rules apply as when you adhered the cardstock pieces.  Finally, insert your drawers into the organizer.  If you want, you can add embellishments to the front of your drawers.

Don’t forget you can make this organizer in a variety of sizes including 4 Drawer (SVGSilhouette), 6 Drawer (SVG, Silhouette), and 8 Drawer Organizer (SVG, Silhouette). It is perfect for holding paperclips and other office supplies.

Until next time,

Michelle

2013 Planner

Have you seen the planner being offered at jessicasprague.com (PDF files) as well as in the shop (SVG dividers and cover)? I have to say it is one of my favorite projects, and meets a few of my all time favorite criteria, functional, easy to make and beautiful. Seriously, the divider pages took less than 10 seconds each to cut and the covers took even less (yes I really counted) and I used my favorite papers.

Today we have a few different styles to show you. Each designer had a different need, so they became completely different projects using the same files, which I loved.

Christine put her’s in a 3 ring binder and decorated each of her divider tabs. She even added a new section for the add on pages and created a divider tab for each one. BEAUTIFUL! She has more pictures and info at her blog here.

 

Next I want to show you what Amanda has created.

She used just the add on pages and made mini notebooks. She printed her’s half size (2 per page) and cut them down and bounded them. 

She also added the cute rose cutout to the front of each one.

 

 

And finally, this is the planner I have been working on to keep Lori and I organized. I created mine full size (8.5×11) and plan to have it professionally bound at a copy store. Currently the pages are loose because I am hoping for a better deal having 2 bound at the same time. I am making one for my mom for her birthday next month, shhh don’t tell her. These make great gifts and go together so fast. It took longer to print the pages than it did to cut the dividers.

I used Echo Park’s “For the Record” Collection for my entire planner. Each divider is a different pattern (I do plan to go back and add month titles.) Notice how the cover fits perfectly over the dividers so no dividers sticking out, WHICH I LOVE! Also the planner cover has slightly rounded corners so no sharp points that will get ruined or draw blood as the year goes on.

When I organized the monthly, weekly and add on pages, I added a set of add on pages to each month, instead of all in one section like Christine. My brain doesn’t think that way, but I love her idea.  With all those pages my planner measures 1/2″ thick. I think for my mom’s I am going to add a page with all her family members birthdate’s on it and put it in the front. I have more info on my blog here if you want to check it out.

We would love to see what you have done with these files too. Share them on our Facebook page here.