Trash to Treasure—Journey To An Organized Life

Have you been bitten by the organizing bug?  I think that most of us start each new year with a desire to simplify after all of the excess and chaos of the holidays. 
I tried to avoid “organizing fever”, you know, it just seems like a LOT of work. 
It LOOKS like a lot of work too.
Scary, huh?  This is our family computer space.  And the bane of my existence.  The thorn in my side. 
It’s even worse than the dining room table, huh?
These are the bookcases that flank the armoire.
  Yes, the decorating fanatic, has artwork and pictures SITTING ON THE FLOOR.  

And that’s the least of my worries.
So.  My goal for the next few weeks is to get these spaces organized and PRETTY. 
Yeah, organized can be pretty.  If you don’t believe me, check out the Centsational Girl’s efforts.  Everything Kate DOES is pretty.
My other dilemma?   You knew I had one.
I’m trying to spend NOTHING on home decor this month.  (we’re not counting the fabric I bought to sew my first pillow, k?)
I have hereby embarked on a quest for pretty and FREE storage. 
Do you wear shoes?  I avoid them most of the year, but sometimes they’re necessary, so I have shoe boxes.
Shoe boxes covered in fabric make for pretty storage.  Mine is surely not a unique idea, but sometimes we need to think INSIDE the box, and follow the lead of others in our own way.  I made a label with chalkboard contact paper and tied it on with jute twine.  The fabric is attached with spray adhesive, and it’s far from perfect, but it works.
The second shoe box is covered in craft paper secured with tape.  Another chalkboard label marks the contents.  
I decided to go neutral, but we’ve all seen these boxes wrapped in wrapping paper, wallpaper (hmmm…) or scrapbook paper. 
The moral of this story? 
Use what you have to organize what you have.
Huh?
Link up those projects, you creative people!