When finished covering the magazine files, I decided I wanted combination label holders/finger pulls on the tall spine side of the files to identify the contents and to ease pulling them from the shelf.

I had a difficult time finding label holders that were also finger pulls at a reasonable cost that were narrow enough for the magazine files I had. I finally found some at Paxton hardware. Paxton hardware had a minimum order amount, and a high shipping rate, so I bought in bulk (24 at $0.52 each). (If you would like to buy some but don’t want to place a large order, let me know, I’ve got more than a dozen left over).

I also purchased some paper fasteners with small heads and long shanks and some flat washers from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology line (can be found with scrapbooking supplies or on ebay).

I set the label holder where I wanted it on the spine of the magazine file. Using a sharp object (like an awl, or points of small scissors) I punctured through the screwhole of the label holder, through the fabric and cardboard of the magazine file.

I pushed the paper fastener through the hole, slid a washer over the prongs on the inside of the magazine file, and then spread the prongs apart to secure. The washers prevent the hole from enlarging with use.

Repeat for other screwholes.

All ready for the labels!

Next time: File drawers for your Expedit

Okay, so I wanted some magazine files for my IKEA Expedit unit.

The magazine files I saw in stores were either plain cardboard or very expensive. Since I wanted 6, I didn’t want to spend $20 on each.

My solution was to buy two packs of the corrugated cardboard FLYT magazine files from Ikea. The files come in packs of 5, and each pack is only $1.99.

I assembled the magazine files, and away I went:

1. Cut out a piece of card board the same size as the base of the magazine file.

2. Insert cardboard into bottom of magazine file–this will keep the bottom from collapsing.

3. Trace around the magazine file on a long sheet of paper (I used parchment paper from the roll). Add an additional inch to all sides. Cut out to form your pattern.

4. Lay pattern on fabric and cut out. I had enough for two magazine files with just a 1/2 yard of fabric.

5. Wrap the fabric around the magazine file to center it. There should be 1 inch of extra fabric around the outside of the magazine file.

6. Carefully unwrap the magazine file, marking where the corners of the magazine file spine hit the fabric.

7. Apply glue to the long edges of the magazine file. I used fabric glue.

8. Place spine of magazine file onto fabric aligning with the marks you made earlier. Then apply glue to the left and right edges of the short side of the magazine file.

9. Pull fabric around sides of magazine file.

10. Pull fabric over edge.

11. Fold other end of fabric so that the folded edge meets the corner of the magazine box.

12. Glue down folded edge.

13. Turn magazine file over. Spread glue on the two long sides of the bottom of the magazine file. Fold fabric over into the glue.

14. Then affix fabric on the short ends.

15. This will create mitered corners. Keep pressure on the glued fabric until it adheres.

16. Clip curved edges of excess fabric. Clip almost all the way to edge of magazine file.

17. This image shows the clipped fabric.

18. Apply glue to the inside of the magazine file. Pull fabric taut, and press clipped fabric into the glue.

19. The clips will fan open, hugging the curve.

20. Apply glue to the inside of the magazine file on the short edges.

21. Fold the excess fabric and press into glue.

22. You’re almost done now!

23. Use single fold bias tape to cover raw edges in the inside of the magazine file.

24. Apply glue to the bias tape.

25. Starting near an interior corner, apply bias tape to cover raw edges of fabric.

26. Because the tape is cut on the bias, you can easily manipulate it to follow the curves without puckering or folding.

27. When you reach your starting point, fold over end of bias tape and adhere over the tape where you started. I like to end in the corner.

Next time: Affixing label holders/finger pulls…

I recently purchased a used Ikea Expedit shelving system off Craigslist. This is in an attempt to organize my work space and conquer the clutter.

I used coordinating home dec weight fabrics to personalize plain cardboard magazine boxes and to jazz up false fronts on bankers boxes fitted with hanging file rails.

I found the cube bins at Target on clearance (Large fabric bins from the itso storage system).

Result: pretty, coordinating organizational products at a fraction of store price. Tutorials coming soon!

Now I just need to sort and fill it!

When I was studying in Italy, I asked my one Italian friend there what English sounded like to a non-native English speaker. He said it reminded him of running water.

Below is another interpretation, this one from a 1970s Italian variety show. In the beginning of the video, the girl asks her teacher “Have you ever written a song using foreign words that didn’t mean anything?” (or something along those lines…it’s been a while since I’ve translated Italian!). The teacher responds with this song which has plenty of English-like sounds in it, but doesn’t mean anything…I don’t think. Actually, it sounds kind of like Bob Dylan…or Mick Jagger in one of his less coherent songs.

It will get in your head—kind of like a bollywood song. But you won’t be able to sing it to yourself later, since you won’t remember the non-words. I’ve been kinda humming it to myself with an “Oll Raight!” thrown in every now and again. Frustrating!

Trying to ignore the screeching toddler next door. She screams 1-2 times per day for 20-60 minutes at a stretch. The pitch on that girl! (Below is just audio, as heard from my apartment.)

In other news, blizzard!

Actually it is RAINING here right now!  Might be enough to melt a few inches of the white stuff! (Just hoping it won’t freeze on the pavement!)

Below is an oldie, but goodie. I don’t know the name of the author.

December 8: 6:00 PM.
It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9:
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I’ve ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snow plow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.

December 12:
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor Bob tells me not to worry, we’ll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we’ll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I’ll never want to see snow again. I don’t think that’s possible. Bob is such a nice man. I’m glad he’s our neighbor.

December 14:
Snow, lovely snow! 8″ last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn’t realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I’ll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn’t huff and puff so.

December 15:
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4×4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife’s car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that’s silly. We aren’t in Alaska , after all.

December 16:
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17:
Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm… Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should’ve bought a wood stove, but won’t admit it to her. God I hate it when she’s right. I can’t believe I’m freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20:
Electricity’s back on, but had another 14″ of the damn stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. God damn snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they’re too busy playing hockey. I think they’re lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they’re out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they’re lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he’s lying.

December 22:
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white shit fell today, and it’s so cold it probably won’t melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel And then I had to piss. By the time I got undressed, pissed and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he’s too busy. I think the asshole is lying.

December 23:
Only 2″ of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she…nuts??? Why didn’t she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she’s damn well lying.

December 24:
6″. Snow packed so hard by snowplow, l broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snowplow, I’ll drag him through the snow by his balls. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I’ve just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and
open our presents, but I was busy watching for the goddamn snowplow.

December 25:
Merry Christmas. 20 more inches of the !%&#$* slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she’s an idiot. If I have to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” one more time, I’m going to kill her.

December 26:
Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She’s really getting on my nerves.

December 27:
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze.

December 28:
Warmed up to above -50. Still snowed in. THE BITCH is driving me crazy!!!

December 29:
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That’s the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30:
Roof caved in. The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars for the bump on his head. The wife went home to her mother . 9″ predicted.

December 31:
Set fire to what’s left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8:
I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?