Family File System
Sound familiar?
Well for me the clouds are parting… and I feel a sprouting feeling of freedom from paper piles…I have a new family filing system to help me stay sane!
Ready to be hung, minus the finishing touches.
My problem?
I couldn’t decide where to hang them….seriously, that is why I haven’t finished. It is truly pathetic.
It all started with a plan I saw on Ana White, you can view the plan Here. I loved it but wanted something a little bigger. That is when I noticed this Brag Post.
She had changed the plans a bit to make more file slots and I decided to change it even further.
Lets see how I did it, shall we…
I decided to make two file systems. I cut 4 zig zag pieces, two for each system (the sides). I modified the plans so I would have 4 file slots on each system. *Update* I also made the paper slots wider than the plan called for if you look closely below in the picture, they were 7 inches high by 12 inches wide, that way I could put the papers in on their side!
Then I measured out all the front pieces and cut them with my sliding miter saw. If you notice I have several different pieces of wood. This whole project was made with free scrap wood I had collected.
Have you ever heard it pays to be a hoarder?…well it’s true! I am living proof.
With the pieces cut I set them on top of each other for a dry fit…It was coming together. Now I needed a back.
I had spotted this long piece of 1/2 in plywood with a free sign when I was picking up my son from middle school. Of course I stopped, picked it up, and slid it over all the tops of the seats in the van, then drove home happy!
In the above picture I was getting measurements where to cut and also seeing if the moulding would work.
It looked good.
I took it out to cut with the jigsaw I had borrowed from my friend.
And since I needed two, I used the first cut to measure for the second.
I put them out on the grass so I could measure my moulding cuts. I cut the corners at a 45 degree angle.
Here they are all cut. I then set them up for a dry fit to see if it would all go together…
The pieces were fitting just right.
This moulding had a lip on it so it sat right on the edge of the plywood perfectly. Sorry I am not sure what is is called, it was free in a pile of wood!
I glued and clamped down all the moulding pieces and let them dry.
I had to do one at a time, and I used all the clamps I have. I really need more clamps, but I am so grateful I at least had these!
The next step was glueing the side and front pieces on! Do you like my methods! I am a “use what I have” kind of girl so….
You have to get kind of creative. I glued two front pieces on first then finished with the last two.
Ok these are wonderful!!! I would so be organized too!! Love them!!! I wish you lived closer…I would pay you to help me make a privacy lattice screen for my garden!!! I will jump over to vote for you now!!! And how many kids do u have!?!? Great work lady!!!
those came out really good!love all the details you put into your projects!
Holy cow! These are gorgeous!!! And they totally seem efficient for sorting household papers in 🙂 Incredible job!
xo
summer
What an amazing project…well done! Stopping by from making the world cuter 🙂
Oooh and newest follower to boot
I love this! The combination of chalkboard paint and washi tape is perfection! I host a DIY link party every Monday and would love for you to join! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-diyers-link-party.html
Mindi!!!! These look so freakin' awesome. Good call on the washi tape. Love the chalk board painted labels. I am glad you hung them where you did. The perfect spot.
awesome! love being organized and not having stuff all over the table!
wow, impressive that you built them yourself!
These are terrific! I love the added touch with the tape. Great tutorial too! I'd love it if you would share this at "What We Accomplished Wednesday," at Green Willow Pond. It is live right now. Have a great week!
Hugs,
Deborah
I LOVE this!! I just purchased a black one at Homegoods. Yours are MUCH CUTER!! I am your newest blog follower. Come visit me sometime too. 🙂
http://www.jenniferinteriors.net
Love this! Looks really neat 🙂
What a great project! I love the chalk and the tape details!
I just started a new link party and would love for you to come over and share your post or any social media sites. Talkin’ About Thursday http://designeddecor.com/talkin-thursday-link-party-9/
DeDe@DesignedDecor
This is great! I spent today painting an old mail organiser too! 🙂 Funny to stumble upon your post. Well done!
You totally just saved my organizing dilemma! I could not find anything I like and all the premade letter bins are WAY too deep. Now I can do this myself-or have my dad do it since I don't have any power tools. These turned out amazing and I can customize them into something Farmhouse looking. Great tutorial!
What a great idea… papers are the worst! I am the queen of chucking stuff my kids needed so this would really help! I hope you'll come ans share at my Super Saturday Show & Tell today 🙂 http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com xoxo~ Ruthie
That is so awesome!!! I want one!!!
I love that you made them–they turned out awesome! And I hate when I can't figure out where I want something to go too 🙂 Thanks for sharing at point of view!
You've got some serious skills Mindi! Awesome! I always wanted these but never wanted to pay for them from a store! ha ha! I am pinning this!
I just love this project! I am a new follower!
I just saw these at House of Hepworths. I love them! And you definitely added the right finishing touches! 🙂
Hi Mindi
I'm here from HOH. What a great organizer! Can't believe you made it from scratch. Love your chalkboard label and hook touches. I'm a new follower and look forward to catching up on your posts. If you get a chance, would love for you to visit me at altered-artworks.blogspot.com and say hello.
Doreen
http://pinterest.com/dozeedo/
Your organizer turned out amazing. I need to get more organized you've inspired me. Thanks for sharing & linking up! @ DearCreatives.com
Really eye-catching! Great work! Here from O&DE. 🙂
This is a great idea. I always have piles of papers laying around that I'm never quite sure where to put them. Thank you so much for sharing with Saturday Spotlight last week. I hope you come by tomorrow to share more of your awesome creations!
http://angelshomestead.com/
April
Mindi, this is a super AWESOME project! I like your "methods" 🙂 I stole from my husband two sand bags (they are now mine), I use them all around, but sometimes I need more than two, then I have to do just the same you did!
The tags are the perfect final touch! I love them!
I'm here from HOH and clicked over to see your file system because it looked very familiar. Well, it's MY brag post you used from Ana White! Great job! They look fantastic. 😉
Papers are everywhere, and it's never easy to organize them all at the same time! Good thing you decided to make this file organizer – a very personal one; each member has assigned folder. I just hope that wind will not blow each paper and scatter around your house.
–Ruby Badcoe @ WilliamsDataManagement
I have been searching everywhere for something JUST like this! Would you mind sharing the measurements so I can tell my husband exactly what I need cut? THANK YOU!
-Erin Winger
Hi Erin! I hope you get this, you are a no reply blogger so I couldn't reply by email, sorry! I am so glad you want to make one! If you go to the original plan I made these from you can print out the template, I just made it twice as long to get the four bins. Hopefully that helps! Let me know if you have further questions! Here is the link: http://ana-white.com/2011/08/pb-inspired-daily-system-letter-bin