DIY Shoebox Receipt File

Here's a quick and easy way to repurpose a children's shoebox into something practical: a receipt file to help keep your budget on track in style! Ours was created using papers and embellishments from the gorgeous new "Park Bench" line by our friends at Fancy Pants Designs. You can easily create one in your own style using your favorite colors or designer lines, or use as a file for photos, mail or other important papers. Have fun making it uniquely yours!

What you need:

• Small shoebox (child-sized works well)
• Double-sided decorative 12-inch cardstock
• Adhesive file tabs
• Scrapbook embellishments
• Washi tape
• Scissors
• Craft knife and/or paper trimmer
• Self-healing cutting mat (optional)
• Ruler
• Bone folder
• Black pen
• Double sided tape

How to create:

1. Cut paper to size for all four sides of shoebox. Adhere using double-sided tape (TIP: A rolling dispenser is useful for this step).
2. Apply washi tape over each outer corner of shoebox to conceal edges of paper. Apply tape over top rim, then around both top and bottom edges.
3. Apply embellishments to outside of box as desired. Sample shown features a paper tag with alphabet stickers, adhesive chipboard embellishments and coordinating stickers.
4. To create a file folder:
1. Measure inner width of box, subtract about 1/4 inch and trim a 12-inch piece of cardstock to this width (samples shown measure approximately 10 inches wide).
2. Score a line across center of cardstock as well as one inch to top and bottom.
3. Fold cardstock in half along center score line with right sides together and crease fold with bone folder.
4. Fold cardstock back along remaining score lines so that right sides face out; crease folds with bone folder.
5. Apply adhesive file tabs to top of folder on back flap.
6. Apply adhesive embellishments as desired, such as a patterned sticker border as shown on samples.
5. Inscribe file folder tabs as desired with a black marker and insert into shoebox file.