Label, label, and label

I really love my new laminating machine. I always want to have one and finally I got myself one for free (my husband has some eBay gift card that he didn't use). Yay!! \^o^/ I like to keep everything organized. I like to put clutter inside a nice box or basket - away from view. But the problem is my husband can't find it =( He always asks me for everything inside our closet or kitchen cabinets (I am the master of the kitchen after all ;) ). So I thought labelling them would be very nice.

There are two options on how I can make my labels. First option, print the label on the card stock papers, laminate it and finally cut it. The second options, cut the card stock papers, laminate it and write down the label using sharpie. I like the second option better because of the re-usability of it. The first option is nice, too. It will give me a nice neat and centre aligned label. But, I still like the second option =)

I cut my card stock papers into 2 inch by 3 inch with my utility knife then run it through my new laminating machine. My card stock paper size is 12 inch by 12 inch. This means each piece of card stock paper yield 24 labels. I didn't cut all of them. I just cut the amount that I might need. I kept the rest of the card stock papers uncut for later use. In future if I want to make a bigger or smaller label, I just need to re-measure and cut it. For these labels that I am going to use I give a nice touch by cutting the edges with Fiskars majestic paper edger. Yup, it broke the laminate sheet protection on the edge but I am fine. The major protection I need is the colourful surface - for me to rewrite the label over and over.

The materials

It's ready to be cut

The end result. They are pretty, right?

Now with my empty labels ready, I can write down the labels with sharpie and stick it whatever I want to label. =) Sometimes when writing down the label, I made some trivial mistake like the label is not centered but it's OK. I can use my nail polish remover to wipe the sharpie and rewrite it again. Indeed when wiping the sharpie, the ink soaked into the edge gap between the laminate sheet and the paper. But that's fine. So far those defect only happened on the back side. I can't see it from the right side.

It's much easier to know what's inside with the label

Close-up picture of my cute label

After I stick the label here and there (wherever I think will raise 'Where is ...?' question), I got compliment from my husband. He said the labels are really nice. It's clear to him where to find what. Especially the hall closet where I store most of the items.

Hall closet transformation

While I am happy with the labels, I am still not satisfied with the basket. As you can see, some of the basket are overflowing. Maybe in future I will make my own basket that's taller.

Happy DIY-ing,

Sherls