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I have a quick and easy project to show you today. I’m sure you’ve all ended up with empty plastic containers and just thrown them in the recycle bin…I accumulated a few this past week and decided to put them to better use as storage containers in my office. I started with 2 Mr. Clean Wipes boxes, a plastic can from some icing, and a large bucket from some peanuts:
I cut down one of the Mr. Clean containers so I ended up with two different sizes. You can either use fabric or pretty scrapbook or wrapping paper, I chose leftover fabric to coordinate with the curtains and chairs in our office/craft room. Just cut the fabric/paper to fit your container:
I made this really easy by just ironing down the edges for a more finished look and using hot glue to attach the fabric to the container, overlapping the back a bit. 
And, voila!! Custom desk accessories!
You can either cover exactly to your container or bring up any excess over the top to the inside. I did it both ways, but I really don’t think it matters, once the containers are full you don’t see the inside anyway.
I didn’t worry about getting the edges or back seam perfect; after all, I’m really the only person who’s going to notice, right? 
I’ll probably use the larger can to store bits of ribbon and such. I saved the top, but it is blue so I may have to spray paint it black!
This was such an easy project, I’ve seen it done before with soup cans, too and it really did take only minutes. Now I don’t have to hunt in drawers or boxes for the craft supplies I used the most, such as paint brushes, scissors, markers, etc. One more time, here’s the
BEFORE
AFTER
This was a great way to recycle and re-purpose. So think twice before throwing out those empty containers, you can use them in so many ways! I’ll be linking to the usual parties, be sure and click on the buttons below to visit everyone.
Edited on 11/15/09 to join the party over at Cottage Instincts, since all the materials for this project were already on hand!
Now this really is a cute idea and could work in so many different rooms in the house. You could have the whole pantry coordinate--I'm getting carried away :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea, they look gorgeous. That is just tooooooo clever. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Donna
What a great (and inexpensive) idea! They turned out cute.
ReplyDeletepk @ Room Remix
Such ingenuity! Great job.
ReplyDeleteCool idea!
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI love re-doing different "throw away" containers! And with all the awesome scrapbook papers available, the looks are endless!
Great redo on these!
Have a wonderful day!
These are a knock out--you did great Christy and this will keep some trash out of the land fills--
ReplyDeleteCheri
Great minds think alike I guess because this weekend I used an empty frosting container to hold our utensils for our Halloween party. I just wrapped Halloween scrapbook paper around it. I keep saving frosting containers because they are such a handy size and shape. Maybe I'll try fabric next. Yours look great!
ReplyDeleteGreat work. I've learned that folks can "junglize" anything, even Mr. Clean.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to reuse and repurpose! Your containers look great! I have some scrap cottagey looking fabric...now I'm looking for containers. Thanks for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteToni
The Tattered Cottage
HI Christy! What a great idea! These plastic units now look like designer office pieces. Wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Great idea and it cuts down on trash or recycling to the curb.
ReplyDeletetammy
Congrats on a beautiful and thrifty job! I made a Lysol wipe container into a vase for my Sunday School classroom... but yours is way cuter. I'll have to give it a try! Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteGod's blessings, Sarah :D
Congrats on a beautiful and thrifty job! I made a Lysol wipe container into a vase for my Sunday School classroom... but yours is way cuter. I'll have to give it a try! Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteGod's blessings, Sarah :D
Super cute ! Organized and coordinated ! O, and thrifty !
ReplyDeleteKammy
Your post was featured on my blog today
ReplyDeleteCheri
Those are adorable! :) I love that you can switch up the look with different embellishments too.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to stop by and let you know that the November Decorating Dilemmas Party goes up tonight at 10 pm (ET) and will be up all day tomorrow. There will be another Giveaway for participants too. :) Hope you can stop by again!
great upcycling idea! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteGood work! It looks fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThey look awesome! This is my kind of project!
ReplyDeleteLove the animal print...nice way to recycle!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I have large yogurt containers that I've saved and saved because I can't bear to toss them. I don't know why I never thought about fabric. Excellent!!!
ReplyDeleteKristin - The Goat
HI Christy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea! I LOVE this! Makes going green fun! Thanks for linking up to Tales from Bloggeritaville Thrifty Thursday.
Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
www.lbratina.blogspot.com
This is a great idea! I love how pulled-together the space looks with matching containers :).
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I've always wondered if there was something better to do with all of the empty containers. Now I know! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!!! I'm going to look and see if I have any
ReplyDeleteplastic containers.
Ally
I'm soooo doing this. How fun and easy is that.
ReplyDeleteWell, that is awesomeness right there. I'm thinking these could be customized all over the map..in fact, how cute would these be covered in pieces of a map???? Thanks for the great inspiration and for linking up to the party!
ReplyDeletepeace.
Love 'em! I have GOT to get me a glue gun.
ReplyDeleteElisa
Great way to go green!
ReplyDelete