Reclaiming my refrigerator - a DIY project

I was determined to create a place for my girls to hang all of their pictures and projects they want to show off. Even more determined that said place not be my refrigerator. Ever since my sweet big girl learned to scribble, my refrigerator doors have been lost under a sea of colorful pictures, each one more important than the last. There has never been a time that it's been acceptable to get rid of one. Although, there have been many that have been mailed to Papa at various times (wink).

Inspired by a post I saw here, and armed with a rack of handmade papers that I still haven't figured out what to do with after I've had them for a couple or seven years, I set to work.

I found a black frame missing its glass on the "as is" shelf at Michael's for a steal. I cut and taped pieces of cardboard together to make my backing, and then took several sheets of the handmade papers and wrapped the cardboard, taping them to the cardboard on the back. For a little extra security, and because I'm slightly a lot obsessed with my glue gun, I also hot glued the paper to the cardboard in the back.

 

Once the paper was arranged and adhered the way I wanted it, I took some leftover jute ribbon I had on hand and wrapped it around several times in several different places, again tying it off in the back. Then I took some various colored binder clips and clipped them on the ribbon. Wa-la! Their very own showcase!!

The only rules I gave the girls was that when the frame was full, if they wanted to add something to it, they had to take something down. Other than that, it's their call. They choose what goes up and what comes down. I giggled a little as I overheard H tell K, "Let's not hang that one up, I don't think it's gallery worthy."  The girls LOVE having their very own place, I LOVE seeing my refrigerator doors, and my hubby LOVED seeing something in my overstocked craft room get some good use!! The refrigerator is right on the other side of that little wall this frame is hanging on. Perfect size for the frame, and close enough to the "action" that they didn't feel like their projects were being banned from the kitchen.

What do you do to contain all your kids' papers?! I'd love to hear your ideas!

Comments

[ang]

This is fabulous! I need to do this for my boys :)