My Very 1st Monday Made It!

So, I keep seeing these Monday Made It posts everywhere! Everyone is linking up with 4th Grade Frolics so, I reckon I will too! :)

I've recently begun DIYing EVERYTHING for my classroom. It's so much cheaper than buying things and it's a lot of fun as well. I'm a really crafty person and love to make things. I just had never thought of taking that into my classroom (which is strange because I feel like a classroom is supposed to be DIY, right?).

Last week, I posted my DIY To-Do Lists with instructions! Here is another picture of those along with a link to the original post!

Original Post :)

I have been admiring this teacher's toolbox that I keep seeing all over Pinterest. Lately, it's been making it's way all over my friends' blogs. Now, it's my turn.

Here is the finished product:

Cute, right? I love it. It is going to be so wonderful to get all of this stuff out of my desk drawer and organized. Best of all, it is absolutely precious. I'll be proud to display this in my room!

Alright, now time for the how-to!

I went to Lowe's (Ugh, how I hate that store) and finally got someone to help me find this storage container. Next time, I'm just ordering online and picking it up at my store. That way, it'll be ready for me when I get there. No searching for someone to help me...only to have them send me on a wild goose chase...and be kinda snotty too...(ok, rant over).

The toolbox was only $16.47 at Lowe's. It's called a Stack-On 22 Drawer Storage Cabinet (in case you're looking for it). I hear that they also carry them at Home Depot. :)

Other than the toolbox, you'll need:

• glue
• Scotch tape
• scrapbook paper
• colored cardstock
• scissors
• a printer

Here is the template for the labels. (Drawer Labels) I printed one page of them on one color cardstock. I printed the second page on a second color that went well with the first color. Then, I cut them out and made the larger boxes look pretty by adding a strip of scrapbook paper to the labels (this is where you'll use the glue).

To stick the labels on the drawers, I used Scotch tape. You can't see the tape and it works fine. (Make sure you stick the label on the inside of the drawer.)

After that was done, it was time to do the handles to the drawers. I did this the same way. I cut strips of scrapbook paper and taped it underneath the little handles. You can't see the tape and it holds the paper in place.

I plan to spray paint the box itself black. They only have this in blue. I have the spray paint that is made for plastic. This means that I don't have to sand or prime anything! Just spray it on and let it dry. It's also supposed to be non-toxic paint. Woo Hoo! :)

I spray painted it black and then coated it with a layer of Mod Podge for a sealant! Here is what it looks like now that it is black! I'm much happier now that it's black!

Ta-da! We have a toolbox! :) Lucky me, I only had to buy the toolbox. I had everything else around the house! :)

Here is the link to the blog where I originally found the instructions! Create. Teach. Share.


I also went ahead and tackled my Student Intervention Box. Here is how that turned out:

How-to:

• Create your labels. I made these really fun labels on PicMonkey. It's free. All I needed was a blank jpg file. I used one that was 2550x3300 pixels (which is the equivalent of an 8.5x11 piece of paper). 
• I then added a few labels in black and white, four flower icons, and my text. 
• I printed them out as 5x7s through Picasa (which is awesome and also free!).
• Then, I cut them evenly using my paper slicer.
• I put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the surface that I was sticking the label to and then laid down the label, making sure to smooth out all air bubbles. 
• I waited until that was dry and added a layer of Mod Podge on top of the label as a sealant. It dries clear so it doesn't matter that I put it over the black parts too!

The pictures above are my finished product! I'm going to use this as a place to store my student behavioral interventions. With 70+ kids, it'll be nice to have a separate area for this!

If you have any questions, please, please, please leave a comment. I will answer you!

Enjoy! XOXO