Thursday, January 8, 2009

Scrapbook paper storage solutions...

Man, I have spent two days "googling" for a stacking system to store my paper. Thanks to Michael's "3 for 1" sales I have quite a selection and running out of room. There are no shortage of ideas and products except for two things: 1) The price is outrageous or, 2) The shipping charges to Canada are more than the product.

I came across a blog and, with Emilie's permission, I am posting the blog and putting a link under "My Blog List" to her website. Thanks Emilie, both for the permission and the incredible idea. Trust me, I will be shopping in the next day or two for the wire cubes. However, this is Canada and not everything makes it across the border!

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Make Your Own Paper Storage Rack

Here's a tutorial I posted over at Craft Critique and thought I would share with you fabulous blog readers as well. Let me know what you think!

If you're a scrapbooker you know about 'Scrap Spaces'. You've seen the scrap rooms of the Scrap Celebs. In magazines, online, on blogs...these amazing rooms with custom built-in shelves for each little brad and eyelet. Skylights. Endless work space. Cute little inspirations.

I love seeing these rooms, but they are far from my reality. With two kids and a husband in Masters school, I spent my nights scrapping in a dimly lit, damp and cold, unfinished basement (read: Dungeon) and my scrap storage consisted of whatever I could find on the cheap and make work! Then I stumbled onto this fantastic paper storage solution that improved my organization by leaps and bounds! This is a great solution for anyone....not just the starving college student!

By slightly modifying white wire storage grids you can create a personalized paper storage system which will hold any amount of 12x12 papers in an efficient and very organized way. And it's wicked cheap. I'll go through the steps of making your own here.

What you'll need...
1 box Wire Storage Grids (available at Target and Walmart) cost: $15-20
1 package Zip/Cable Ties (available at any home improvement store) cost: $1-2
1 wire cutter or seriously heavy duty scissors



{Make sure your grids measure at least 12" square so your paper will fit. Mine are 13" square...perfect.}

1. Start by throwing out the weird little white plastic clips that come with the cubes. You won't be needing these.


2. Build a basic cube (leaving one side open as shown above) by attaching the grids together using your zip ties. Make sure the little square nubbies are facing towards the outside of your cube so they don't catch on the paper. (photo below)


3. Next take the remaining white shelves and slide them into your cube and attaching them at 1 inch intervals where the grid already exists. If you need a larger slot for some paper sets just make it a 2 or 3 inch interval instead.


Make sure when you slide a shelf in that the wire grids are on the underside so that you get a slight lip on your paper tray. (photo below)


4. Use your wire clippers to remove excess plastic end from zip ties.


Fill with paper sorting by color, manufacturer or whatever makes you happy! Voila! Isn't it genius?!! I made 3 separate cubes out of 2 boxes of these grids and had some grid pieces leftover. I have even given these cubes as gifts to fellow scrapbookers with rave reviews!


Pros:

  • Inexpensive
  • Customizable to include large and small shelf heights

Cons:

  • May be hard to see certain papers since there is no graduation.
At just around $30 for two boxes of these I think they are a steal! And a great solution for organizing a craft area on a budget. I would love to know your thoughts!

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105 comments:

  1. We do not have a Target in Canada, BUT I did find the wire cubes at Canadian Tire. They were a four-cube system consisting of 16 sides per case and I bought 2 cases @ $24.99 each. It takes 25 sides (according to the instructions above) to make one paper storage unit. This way I can make the paper storage system PLUS, a cube on the top for some bulk paper items I have.

    Cat

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    1. Brilliant idea. I would just like to say when you cut the tie wraps; be sure to cut them flush. If you don't; they are extremely sharp & can slice you like a razor. I realize they're cut to the outside but if you need to reach along side & catch your hand/arm on one you'll have a pretty nasty cut. Hurts like the dickens. Hope this saves many bandaids & ouches.

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    2. The best idea I have found yet. Can't wait to make it. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Wow, this is so brilliant! I have these cubes at home - I bought them to make a craft sale display and zip tied them together too. I just never thought about using them this way. Bravo!

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  3. Fantastic solution. Target has them (6 cube) for 16.99. This is exactly what I've been looking for. Thank you for the idea.

    Peri - Austin, Texas

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  4. One of our local scrapbooking stores gave me some 12x12 cardboard supports that paper is shipped with and I put this on the shelf first to support my stacks...works like a charm. I have never had bent or wrecked corners on any of my paper stored on the rack.

    Glad I could help.

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  5. Thank you SO MUCH!!!! I was like you, and can't spend the $ on expensive storage racks. I'm so glad I found your blog! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

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  6. Thank you for sharing this. I too find all the other racks WAY too expensive. It's bad enough that scrapbooking is expensive in itself (but fun). I look forward to making this in the next day or two.

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  7. Thanks. I just ordered the grids and zip ties from Amazon and got free shipping. :)

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  8. Thank you for sharing. I was just going to buy one on line but couldn't because they are out of stock. When I was searching for another option I found your post and I couldn't have been happier. I figured I could do it myself but didn't know what items to buy. I am currently putting them together. This diy idea is perfect for people like me who are looking for ways to save $.

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  9. YEAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! There's IS a way to do organizing on a budget! Thank you VERy much!

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  10. I want to post this on my blog. Is that alright? I will add you as a reference.

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  11. Not a problem. I am glad that people can find economical solutions to crafting issues.

    Cat

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  12. Barb aka ScrapbookingQueenMarch 19, 2010 at 11:45 AM

    That is a fabulous idea Cat, thank you so much! i love how customizable it is, and the inexpensive factor is perfect. Now just to find the cubes in my tiny little town or online...

    Thanks again!

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  13. I thought so too, when I first saw it posted on a blog. I love mine.

    Cat

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  14. This is GREAT!!! THank you thank you!!!!!!

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  15. This is awesome... we've been looking and looking for a paper storage unit. We actually have all the stuff already and have just been in storage. Wonderful idea that will cost us $0... what could be better... Thanks SO MUCH!!!

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  16. Works like a charm and for my budget. You are brilliant! Thank you so much!

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  17. Cat! You rock!! I was searching Google to figure out how to use those stupid clips that came with my wire shelves. I was already using my cable ties, when I saw your page... BUT I never thought of using them for paper storage! Brilliant! I'm an artist and had spent ages looking up options online for storing my work-in-progress collages. Options were so big and expensive! Turns out I had the answer all along. Yay, you! Thank you for this post.

    Brandy, Loosetooth.com

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  18. I felt the same excitement when I spotted the original posting.

    Cat

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  19. OMG, you're an absolute legend ! Love love love this idea and am going down to the shops at lunchtime to hunt for the wire racks.
    Thanks SOOOOO much.

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  20. I LOVE this idea!! I am going shopping today so I can make one:) I have been looking for a cheap way to store my 12x12 paper & this looks great! So excited!

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  21. I just found these instructions and wanted to say thanks! I bought a cube system at Target for $17.49 and purchased a big container of zip ties (couldn't find just a pack) for $5.49. I made three paper cubes out of the one cube system! No way ANY of the pre-made storage drawers/containers would've been as cheap. Thanks very much!

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  22. cool deal ..thanks for sharing.
    Kimberly

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  23. What an awesome idea! I'll be doing this one! thanks so much for the idea and the tutorial on how to make it! Such a great idea!!! Thank you for sharing this!

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  24. Ditto what everyone else has said! My DH jut finished a beautiful craftroom for me. I am trying to find just the perfect place for all my things, and have not found a home for my 12x12 paper yet. Your idea is just perfect, as I can slide a single cube into one of my many new cupboards. THANKS AGAIN! Oh. And I found the wire grid at Walmart here in Ontario, Canada at just under $20 for 13 squares.

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    1. Thank you so much... I have been looking for something similar in Toronto, Canada too :)

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  25. I am glad this is still helping crafter's...

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  26. You have provided a great solution to my paper storage.....and I am grateful!

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  27. I literally have these laying in a pile and was looking for a scrapbook paper so this is perfect. Thanks!

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  28. Fantastic idea!!! I actually had a ton of those storage grids and was just about to put them in the donation pile. Thankyou so much!

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  29. You're welcome...just a hint though...do not throw out the big round clips. Over time the zap straps start to loosen and the rack sags. Put a couple of the clips on the backside for stability.

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    1. Great idea. I found these for 13.99 at Target and have made them up but slanted the shelves. I tried it first using twist ties in case it didn't work and will now replace with the plastic ties. Thanks!!!!

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  30. Love this idea! I found two sets at a thrift store, 4.00 each, so for 8.00 I was able to make two racks! They are black and match my craft area.

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  31. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was having the same problem. I actually have a ton of these grids that are not useful anymore now they can be. AWESOME!!

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  32. I am not a scrapbooker, But I am a preschool teacher! This is my new solution to buying expensive puzzle racks! Thank you soo much!!!!

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  33. Don't throw out the circles!! Give them to a teacher. The kids break them or they tend to disappear. I'd love to get more!! I've used super glue on some of the circles and they've lasted for 2yrs. I'm sure going to try the zip ties!!

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  34. What department of WalMart has these grids? I looked in the "Organizer" department, but all I could find was sets for shelves, or shoes, or other specific projects - no plain grids.

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  35. I presume the "organizer" section. I found mine at Canadian Tire.

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  36. Don't forget about garage sales! I found a set for $2! They are black but with a little Sharpie magic the white zip ties aren't noticeable! Thank you so much for the idea! :)

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  37. Don't forget the resale stores, such as Goodwill, to look for these grids. I just purchased 58 pieces of grid for $7.50. It was a fabulous find for me on a fixed income. Hope everyone enjoys their new storage units. I do mine!

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  38. in Canada esp in Ontario our dollar rama's have these cube grids for $3....enough to make 1 square 5 peices plus corners... worth a check out at your local dollar store..

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  39. Superstore out West here used to carry them. They may still.

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  40. I have made a doubke one many years and I still use it. I was lucky to buy a real scrapbook paper rack from a closed store.

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  41. yay found them at Dollarama ,cost me $12 to make 2 boxes.Very cool thanks!

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  42. I di the exact same thing, a while back,, instead of zip ties, I used strips of hoop n loop tape, it was intended to use to stake a plant to a support. its reusable, and there's no little "nib" to get in the way.

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  43. I run a home daycare, and what I'm seeing here is not paper storage, but tray puzzle storage!! FAR less expensive than the ones you can purchase ready-made. THANK YOU!

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    1. I am glad that your mind saw another use for them.

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  44. Just bought a 6-cube wire set at Target - reg. $24.99 for 19.99. I thought it was a good buy - and guessing with all of us wanting them, prices went up over the past few years. I'll search resale shops now for more! Love this idea!

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  45. By adjusting the shelves, you could also use this to hold your alum. foil, plastic wrap, etc. in the pantry.

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  46. By adjusting the shelves, you can also use this for storing your alum foil, plastic wrap, etc, in your pantry.

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  47. Thanks for sharing such an inexpensive way to create storage. My daughter is going to be SICK when she hears how much I'm paying for mine!

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  48. Thanks, I have prob abt 40 racks and no connectors. Went on line those connectors are 54 cents each. Try selling those that come with the shelves to others on etsy on etsey for 25 cents for those that want the original size cubes and do this with the shelves. Now all I need are the zip ties. Excuse me while I run to the Hardware store

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  49. I have bunches of the grids I got at a garage sale, now I will put them together with the zip ties. I hated those round thingys for assembly-thought they were useless.
    thanks for the great idea.

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  50. they have them at walmart dirt cheap (the zip ties) back in hardware

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  51. Thanks for the idea. I am going today to Target!

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  52. Can't wait to make this...it is going to help me so much in my tiny craft room. I can keep some of each of my colors out where they are easily accesible & the others can go on the shelf outside my room ....I am really excited over this! Thank you so much!

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  53. This looks like a great solution, but I'm wondering if you have any trouble moving the paper in and out of the grids with it snagging on the grids?

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  54. No trouble at all...lots of room.

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  55. I found a source, yeah! I have a question...If all of the pieces are the same size, is there a gap between the top/bottom/sides?

    This is such a great idea.

    Annie

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  56. Hi Annie...no gap as you are using the ties to bind it all together. Take a closer look at some of the pics and you will see no gaps.

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  57. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

    Annie

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  58. I JUST DID THIS!!! Love. Love. Love.

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  59. I bought mine at Home Depot. Walmart has them as well. :o)

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  60. THANKS so much for posting! I had 'leftover' racks from the craft paint racks made from another Pinterest post. So glad I didn't 'gift' them to someone else. I don't use a lot of paper racks so now I'll have storage for paper too.

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  61. I was wondering how to attach them together. We had a furniture store at one time and I kept a box of these and didn't know what to do with them, now I know. Thanks.

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  62. I too like many of you searched all over for a inexpensive paper rack. This tip came just in time for me. I am redoing my craft room and just took down a 12 cube ensemble and now going to make this rack with them. I was thinking.....you stated it may be hard to see the paper colors due to no graduating shelves......do you think if you put the shelves in on a slant then tie them to the back this would work? The only difference is you would need to leave the top piece off due to spacing of top shelf. So all you do then is add another 3 sided piece and continue with slanted shelves. Give me your thoughts. ty

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  64. You could try slanting the shelves..it just might work.

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  65. I did this too, I'm so glad someone had the pictures to show how to do it.

    I have gotten my wire rack at a local thrift store. Usually $6 for a full set of wire racks.

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  66. I would like my paper in hanging file folders. Do you think this would work for that without the shelves?

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  67. I don't see why not. It may take custom made file folders to do it though.

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  68. I found three of these systems at various yard/garage sales and did exactly this

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  69. Isn't it wonderful when it comes together?

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  70. I have oodles of paper and my idea for storage is plastic totes that are difficult to find a place for and give no room for additional storage ideas. Thanks for the insight on this fantastic concept.

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  71. As a teacher, i will be using this idea to make a drying rack for art projects! Tks!

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  72. This idea is fantastic, I live in Australia, we don't have walmart, and our Kmart or Target doesn't have these, well not the ones I've looked in, if anyone has seen them here somewhere, can you let me know ta, I'm doing up my craftroom, and of course, as us crafters kno, we love to look after our papers, so love this idea. Ta Tina :)

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  73. I 've been using this system for 15 years. Can't take credit for it though, got the idea from my upline. ☺

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  74. I used a milk crate style as box and put those grid inside as shelf tying it with cable ties ...works perfect for a 12x12 colored
    And designed papers for scrapbooking and making greetings cards.
    I found those grid in my sons college junks in our garage and wow it looks great .....love it....cost me nothing but serves the
    Purpose.
    Victoria

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  75. Thank you sew much for this. I am looking for something to store my Accuquilt dies in and this will be perfect, thankful to find we can get these in Canada. I figured you were in the U.S. But no you are in the Interior. Hope your cruise was wonderful and you are feeling a bit better. If by any chance you have a product number that would really be appreciated. Mary, from Nova Scotia

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  76. Sorry, Mary...no product number. The wire racks were just average ones sold at Canadian Tire. Good luck.

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  77. Wonder idea! Our Historical Society needs a unit just like this but haven't seen what we need at a price a non-profit can afford. Will head to Walmart tomorrow.
    Thank you.

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  78. I do not scrapbook, but plan n doing this for my preschool classroom. I need a drying rack for my art center! This will be perfect! Thanks!

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  79. Have looked at target ,walmart , and homedepot i cant find the grids and need help realy need something like this badly went over board buying for my space...

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  80. I found my grids at Canadian Tire....try there.

    Cathy

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  81. Wondering if I should go with this tutorial and get the cubes from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LRGV3W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

    OR purchase these: http://www.tsisupplies.com/Scrapbook-Paper-Rack/Folding-Scrapbook-Paper-Rack-12-X-12-Slots

    Wondering which ones would be better built. Decisions...decisions :-\

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  82. I am in the precess of redoing my room so have changed to the stacking acrylic style (friend closing her store so got cheap)....can't advise you...go with your heart. Good luck.

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  83. Just found these on Bed Bath & Beyond's website for $19.99 and we always get those 20% off coupons in the mail, don't we?!

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  84. i just made this last night. except, i got mine from Goodwill store for $3. yay!

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  85. Brillant, someone posted this on a private group for Cameo. I have 8 of these cubes pulled apart because I didn't know what to do with them. Thank you!

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  87. I sold my racks but, if I remember correctly...14x14 will do fine.

    Cathy

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  88. I didnt have time to read all of the comments so this might be old news already but Dollarama often has packages of these grids for $3CDN. Which is like 17 cents American or something like that.��

    Other places where I have had luck at are: clothing stores(most retail stores), liquidation/estate sales,going out of business sales, Craigslist, Kijiji, Thrift Stores, Schools, Community Centres, Staples.

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  89. Amazing idea!!! I found these grids at a Habitat for Humanity Restore. If you haven't discovered this resource Google it. Outrageous deals. I think I got mine for 4 for 1.00. Not sure if in Canada but are all around the states. Some locations are better than others but worth checking out for sure!!

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  90. Not a scrapbooker, but looking for an idea for granddaughters to store their art paper, craft paper, and cardstock, and keep it neat. Love this idea. Going to check at ReStore first before buying. Again, thanks.

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  91. If you have some grids left over and you paint, try making a rack to hold your craft/art paints. Very small price to display ALL your paint colors. I can't take credit for this idea, but it's another genius pin. No more buying colors you already have. Plus, if you arrange the paints like a rainbow, it's a thing of beauty!

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