Taming the Art Supply Clutter

The mountains of crayons, markers and other artsy stuff finally got the best of me. None of it had a permanent home in our house and much of it ended up on a high shelf in playroom (because I was always concerned about graffiti if the kids had unfettered access to markers).

We're slowly moving out of that stage and I wanted to have the everyday art supplies accessible and handy. A quick visit to the dollar store netted me these small square baskets that are the perfect size to line the sideboard in my kitchen. I removed the handles and got to work.

I brought a few of them home and spray painted them green. Who knew you could spray paint baskets? Brilliant! I'll tell you who. Just a Girl knew and now she's opened up another world of painting for me.

I wanted to fancy up the baskets a bit, so I cut about 6 inches off the long side of some clearance dishtowels. Hot glue holds it in place and that's it! I know that some of you would have sewed a beautiful liner for the baskets but not me. They're going to get beat up by little boy hands so it wasn't worth the 64 hours it would have taken me to sew something.

The dish towels weren't quite long enough to wrap the whole way around the basket but I don't mind. Boys. Remember? They don't care. And no one else can tell.

They're perfect for holding crayons, markers and floam (we love the floam at our house). The larger baskets on the bottom shelf will hold coloring books and paper. It's a perfect set-up for the "witching hour" when the kids are getting crabby and I'm trying to get dinner. They can help themselves to an activity.

Swing by The Shabby Nest to see the Taming the Kid Clutter party being hosted by Wendy and Pretty Organizer. Lots of really great ideas!