DIY Network

Fabulous Organizers Turn a boring leather organizer into a masterpiece. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-303

This great recipe book was once an ugly, old organizer.

It seems like everyone has an unused organizer lying around. Maybe it’s beat up, an unattractive color or simply too painfully boring-looking to actually use.

Enter Michele Beschen, sworn enemy of all that is boring and hum-drum. The B. Original host turns her talents to resurrecting those bygone organizers into stylish books you’ll love to use – or proudly give as gifts. Scroll down to see the magic at work.

advertisement

Fabulous Organizers

Materials:

unwanted leather organizer
leather pieces or scraps
contact cement
utility paintbrush
scissors
sharp utility or craft knife
decorative elements like beads or rubber stamps

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• Michele Beschen has found that leather is the best material for re-covering old organizers. Purchase leather at fabric or leather-supply stores, or buy bags of leather scraps at art supply or hobby stores.

• Whether using scraps or larger pieces, lay out the leather over the outside of the organizer and determine exactly where each piece will go (figure A). You’ll be using contact cement, so you won’t be able to change your mind after the pieces are stuck down.

• Working with one section of the organizer at a time, use an inexpensive utility brush to apply contact cement to the organizer and to the back of the leather pieces. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to see how long to wait before bringing the two surfaces together.

• Carefully apply the sticky side of the leather to the prepared surface of the organizer, smoothing out all wrinkles and air bubbles as you go. Use the same technique for applying all of the leather pieces to the organizer (figure B).

• Let the cement dry. Trim away any excess leather around edges or clasps.

• Personalize the organizer by using different types and colors of leather, or by adding lettering or rubber-stamp graphics (figure C). Beads, rivets or ribbons also can liven up the final product.

• Once your organizer has a whole new look (figure D), put it back to work keeping track of things that interest you: Use it as a recipe holder, gardening journal, portable art supply caddy or even a home improvement planner.