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Friday, February 8, 2013

75

Creating a Baking Drawer

I am excited to be participating in the Kitchen monthly organizing challenge with all of you!  Has anyone dug in and gotten started yet?

Awhile back I gave a full tour of our kitchen cabinets, and years later they are almost identical to the way they were then, and are functioning quite well for us.  And although we have intentions of doing a kitchen reno in the near future, I still have a few problem areas in the kitchen that I am looking forward to addressing this month.  Some bigger than others, but all things that will hopefully be helpful in the most commonly used area of the home.

One of the ways I looked at this monthly challenge, was to question how we are utilizing the space in our kitchen, and making sure that "like" or common items are stored together.  We are doing a pretty good job at this for the most part, but like I said, there are some areas for improvement.  One being my baking items.

Now I don't mean the flours, sugars and oils since those have been all stored together in our spice cabinet for years and are doing well there.  And our baking utensils are nicely divided in drawers near the stove, so high fives for that being another successful organizing project in the kitchen.

But everything else, like the cookie cutters, the frosting, the sprinkles and cupcake liners.... all those little "extras" that come with baking special treats every once in awhile.  Well, those items didn't have a designated space, and there were times when I was over-purchasing items I already had since I didn't always know what I had.  Frosting tubes were in the dry food cabinet, food coloring, candles and sprinkles were in the spice cabinet and the cookies cutters... you will never guess it.... in the storage ottomans in our living room where the craft bins live.... makes total sense right?! Ha!

So I gathered all the supplies and placed them on our kitchen table.


I knew exactly where all of these goodies should reside, happily together.  In a drawer that was acting oh so effectively holding one single set of candles...


The drawer is in our dining room buffet, which is directly across from our kitchen, and is where we store overflow items and small appliances.  The whole thing needs some organizing love, but I am taking this challenge one idea and drawer at a time.

Because I only bake special treats about once a month {and I shouldn't even be allowed to do that, my baking is less than awesome}, my thinking was that when baking day comes around, I could easily just grab the drawer out of the sideboard and take it over to the kitchen counter.

I started by removing the drawer, cleaning it out, lining it for easy cleaning, and popping in two bins I found at the dollar section at Target.


That dollar spot keeps saving the day with my drawer organizing!  These bins couldn't have fit any better, it was like they were meant to be!

The next step was to continue to create more drawer dividers, so I scoured our home for a box that would be the perfect size....


I cut down the edges and used my box wrapping technique to cover the box with wipe-able drawer lining paper.

I still had space to spare and I knew I had smaller items that needed some dividing, so back to the searching of the home I went...


Jell-o cups were the winning solution.  I transferred the contents of the Jell-o cups to a covered dish and cleaned them out.  I now had all of the dividers I needed and began placing items into the drawer.


The cookie cutters fit perfectly in the first box divider I found from Target...


And the sprinkles and some colored gels fit in the other.


The cake pop sticks and small plastic treat bags tucked nicely in-between the boxes.


And my newly covered box was the perfect solution for my cupcake liners!


My favorite part of the whole project are the Jell-o cups.  They worked so wonderfully for dividing the candles and food coloring.



And just when I was prematurely happy dancing about my newly created and organized baking drawer... I went to shut the drawer and fail.


The tubs of sprinkles didn't fit and allow the drawer to close all the way.  The angle of them was too tall and there just wasn't another great way to place them inside the drawer as is.  Boo.  Goes to show that organizing takes a little trial and error and doesn't always work out perfectly the first time around.

So, more searching around the house and a few small mason jars later...


And the drawer was now closing just fine and this project was called complete!



It feels good to have a designated place for all of my baking items, and inspired me to instantly start perusing Pinterest for some fabulous Valentine treats to create.

So what was your first kitchen project this month?  Anyone else have a baking drawer or basket?

75 comments:

  1. AHHHH love it! I have a baking drawer too! One for baking, one for chocolate, and one for nuts and dried fruit b/c apparently I have every type imaginable and needed a three-drawer little cart in my pantry for it!

    Yours is so bright and cheery! Fabulous as always!

    xoxo
    Jenn

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  2. I'm in the midst of an overdue pantry re-do, but am proud to report that I have a baking basket that's working quite well in terms of organization! Thanks again for the monthly challenges.

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  3. I need to have one of these, something for me to do tomorrow :)

    ~ Jamie-Leigh
    http://confessionsofaprimarkaddict.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. The mason jars look better anyways. :)

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  5. wow! that's amazingly resourceful!

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  6. Hey, that is a neat solution in fresh colours - and low budget too.

    I wish I had more drawers... ☺ ☺ ☺

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  7. This is a great idea! I think all of my baking supplies would require at least two drawers, though.

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  8. Oh good grief, just when I think I've got it all organized, you come along with another great idea. I just finished bottling up a bunch of herbs. Now I'm going to have to tackle my 3-drawer stand where I keep baking supplies, all because of you. (Really, thanks, Jen 😊)

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  9. I've used your paper covered box idea in so many places! I love seeing all the different places you put yours. Granted, I don't bake hardly at all (ruined snap-and-bake cookies once, true story) but I've got desk supplies out the wahzoo and love this system!

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  10. Love it, although my baking draw would have to be 3x as big ( I love to bake) downside is space. I have small IKEA jars for all my spices (I keep my baking ones on the baking shelf), sprinkles etc. Like your jello cups, I used some old decorative cups to store things in but do need to find some cheap containers!

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  11. Jen!! This couldn't come at a more perfect time...my baking/treat making supplies are curretnly teetering on a top shelf of a cabinet that I can't even hardly reach let alone reach into the back of it. I too have an unused buffet drawer that could work...that'll give me something to work on this weekend!
    Melanie

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  12. I find that I'm more apt to use supplies like this if they're looking pretty and organized. So cheery and colorful! Makes me smile!

    ~Abby =)

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  13. I love those Target boxes! We got a bunch of the black and white ones to use for our wedding last month. We added gold ribbon, and gold tissue paper (to cover the pink insides) to make holders for our Mad Libs guestbook sheets. This is a great way to repurpose the 16 or so that are currently wasting space on our guest bed!

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  14. You probably already know, but the lids on the parm cheese containers fit on mason jars - they would work great for sprinkles!

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    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness I had no idea! Genius! Thank you so much for sharing!

      xo,
      Jen

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    2. or you could drill little holes in the existing lids if you were always going to keep them in that.. very cute..

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  15. That looks really good and I appreciate your honesty in telling us how the drawer wouldn't close on the first try!

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  16. Thank you for sharing your fail moment, because sometimes I think I'm the only one who has to redo a system due to an error. Also, I think the final solution actually looks better!

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  17. Well Jen you did it again! You think of everything! I so must do this! I have all of my baking stuff in with my craft room, now I defiantly want to move all to kitchen and do this! Thanks again for another fabulous idea!

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  18. Love this idea! Quick question.. How do you print on the washi tape?
    -Melissa B.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Melissa!

      I just print the label on clear tape with my label maker and pop it over the top of the washi tape.

      xo!
      Jen

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    2. Duh! Why don't I think of these things! Thanks for the quick response! I'm seriously obsessed with your blog, you are so creative! :)

      -Melissa

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    3. I was looking thru your questions to ask about the labels! I am so stinking excited that I have to go find something to label right now!

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  19. I am still working on my school paperwork storage boxes for the boys and the cords & cables storage box! I can't keep up! Now I have to organize and prettify by baking cupboard too. At least my pantry and spices are already done.

    Thanks for the inspiration.

    Stephanie

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  20. What do you use as shelf liner or drawer liners? I really want cute liners for my pantry shelves but the stores near me only have ugly contact paper (solid beige, etc) or clear paper. I would love to know where you buy yours.

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  21. Just wanted to say thanks for being so honest. So many organizing sites are just too perfect, & use way too many bought items. Those of us on fixed incomes are always looking for clever- & let's face it- cheap, organizing ideas.
    Thanks!

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  22. I love it! Love the mason jar idea! :) Erin

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  23. Love the way this turned out! Makes me want to bake! I'm with a couple of others, I need some empty drawers!! I've started organizing my cooking utensil drawer. Elimated a lot!! Bought a new divider from the container store and I'm loving how easy it is to grab what I need! Thanks for you terrific ideas and inspiration!

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  24. Drawer looks great! I just reorganized my office shelves and used your idea for covering cereal boxes with scrapbook paper. My drawers look so good.

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  25. I want a baking drawer now! I worry that it would force me to bake more, and Partner wouldn't be happy to be drown by all the cakes and cupcakes I'd do... Maybe, after all, it is a good thing I don't have one. Yours looks awesome.

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  26. Jen, How do you create a UK Blog. I know it's duplicated but do you have to cut and past from the orginal blog? Curious! Thanks!

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    1. Blogger defaults to your local country. I'm in New Zealand so it come up as iheartorganizing.blogspot.co.nz. If you're in the UK it will come up as .co.uk and if you're in the USA it will come up with .com. Same applies to every Blogger blog.

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  27. Hmmm, I've got a section of my lazy susan devoted to baking stuff. But it's messy. Perhaps I will adapt some of these techniques to suit :)

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  28. I just got the same containers at Target for above my Microwave! Love them!!! Target is the best!

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  29. this post just made me smile with each picture. I love how colorful it is with your drawer liner, the bins, and all the colorful baking supplies!

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  30. So colorful!!! Love you blog, always awesome ideas. Would love if you would take a look at my blog I am sharing your blog on mine. :) I am a new blogger.
    Take care
    http://blog.petitjoujou.ca/
    Claudia

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  31. I love how you look at an empty spot and think, "You know what would work great here? Jell-o cups!" So creative :)

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  32. I have 2 clear boxes in my corner cupboard. One has Christmas candles (found out the hard way that they can't be stored in the garage (near the roof) and the other one is all my baking stuff. I hardly ever bake anything more complicated than a brownie or cake mix. I do want to get stuff to learn how to do decorative frosting. On the wish list...

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  33. Very ingenious Jen! After all these years and with the tons of baking I've done, I've never thought of organizing these things all together. Makes perfect sense. Wonderful job!

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  34. Drawers are prime real estate in my kitchen...and I don't bake usually except for birthdays, so I store all the baking stuff in a plastic box.

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  35. I have two cabinets devoted to baking. I took a picture of everything I have--chocolate molds, cupcake liners, treat bags, cookie cutters, etc. and placed the pictures in a folder on my computer. I just check the pictures to make sure I have the supplies I need before starting a baking "project". You've given me the itch to reorganize my baking supplies! :)

    P.S. You are so lucky to have an empty drawer in your house! That would be very valuable real estate in my house!

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  36. It is sooo cute...you have the best ideas!

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  37. Instead of a baking drawer I have a baking cupboard, I can only wish that It was as organised as this, I just have too much stuff and too little space!

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  38. I have been following your blog for about a month and it has inspired many crafty projects. I have been collecting empty food boxes to organize several drawers and am wondering where does one buy wipeable drawer paper? Thank you for your time.

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    1. Hi Lisa-Marie,

      All over the place :) For this drawer, I actually cut down an old vinyl place-mat and it worked perfect. I also find wipeable drawer liner at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Home Depot & Target. I did a post on it here as well: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/08/you-asked-wrapping-paper-wrap-up.html

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  39. That's fantastic! I have the same label maker- what font is it that you used for the word "sprinkles"?

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  40. I don't have the space for a baking drawer, instead I have a baking basket in one of the kitchen cupboards. It is so great having everything ready and at my fingertips!
    xoxo

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  41. I spent my entire day yesterday (snow day!) re-organizing my kitchen cabinets, and I created a baking cabinet. The cuteness factor of my cabinet isn't even close to your drawer, though!

    I posted about my cheap DIY drawer dividers yesterday, and I kept thinking that you'd be proud! :-)

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  42. I have a drawer for a lot of things: baking, vegetable prep, measuring cups and spoons, cooking utensils, serving utensils, etc. My baking drawer is full of things to use when baking from scratch. It is so much easier to do things when you can get organized this way. If you can't, try using baskets or bins.

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  43. I love the $1 Target finds too, they're perfect for organization. I would've never thought of using jello-cups for organization! I'm definitley going to start saving jars, plastic cups, etc now, thanks :)

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  44. I posted on my blog about using an old mason jar as a cute and easy way to store cupcake liners. No need to hide those cute liners away in the back of a cabinet!

    http://onemilehomestyle.blogspot.com/2013/01/no-more-crumpled-cupcake-liners.html

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  45. cute cute cute!!! i just finished the kids bathroom cabinets, and I used little plastic bowls from the baby section of the dollar store for sloan's ponytail holders, etc...i was thrilled with my little idea! we have the same brain. :)

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  46. This was so helpful! Something so simple and easy to do. I've actually been recently thinking of a way to organize my baking supplies and this is perfect!

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  47. I so need to do this. I have so many baking supplies taking up space in a small upper cabinet, lower cabinet and drawer. Time to purge and organize!

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  48. Jen, I am patting myself on the back because I, too, scored some of those little boxes in the Target dollar bin a few weeks ago--I bought them to help organize my gift wrapping area! I knew those things would come in handy! I love the dollar section!

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    1. Oooh! They would be perfect for that! High fives!

      xo,
      Jen

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  49. I really did want to get started on the whole kitchen organizing project with you but unfortunately came down with the flu and ended up in bed for a few days. tomorrow is definitely the day! love how you organized this drawer I have the same exact problem with some of my overflow baking accessories will def. try something like this! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com

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    1. Aww, hope you are feeling better! Darn flu! Our kiddos had a touch of something too this weekend. Tis the season!

      xo!
      Jen

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  50. Always love the way you do your fixits and organising. It's just beautiful! I do hope though that in your future kitchen you'll get more space - one thing I've discovered over the years is that no matter how much you reorganise your stuff, even if you personally don't buy things, all of a sudden people will gift you stuff at Christmases and birthdays which will then put everything into overflow again.

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  51. your prior post about using the boxes as drawer organizers has completely changed my life. I now am physically unable to discard any box--have to immediately cut it down and see where it might need to live. confession: I haven't covered them to make them pretty. I know that makes me lame, but I haven't had the paper and have so enjoyed (really!) getting some areas organized that I just forged ahead w/ boxes as is. What I have realized is that a lot of challenging situations in my life were really wearing me out and weighing me down, but just taking control of some tiny little areas (i.e., drawers) has made me feel so much better and less at the whim of a crazy life. So many thanks to you for the inspiration to get started.

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  52. Jen, I'm keen to join the organising challenge this month because my pantry is all over the place. Very similar to your baking items dilemma except mine is with everything and I cook everything from scratch. I've learnt to just put up with it these last 13 years since I've been in this house but enough is enough. Wish me luck.

    Anne xx

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  53. Just happened to find your blog and I love this post. I'm off to read some more now, I have a feeling I might be a while.

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  54. Love the colors. I need something to do with my muffin liners.

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  55. Every since finding this site I can't seem to throw away another container. Boxes make great drawer dividers. Soup can covered in paper are great for little odds and ends. Formula cans are great becuase they are so big.

    Anyway, one of my goals for this month is organizing my plastic storage containers. This weekend when my husband and I were at Sam's we found a set of 62pc Rubbermaid Take alongs and we agreed to do a complete switch out. I gave away most of my old stuff and now what use to be 2 whole shelves now takes up barely one. Yeah!! I wish I had taken Before and After shots but the after makes me so happy. Now on to the utensil drawers...

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  56. I really love your baking drawer! I have a baking cabinet and I should take your lead and get some pretty bins for it! My cabinet can be quite disorganized at times!

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  57. Such a great idea, Jen! I love how bright and colorful it is. Your Jello container idea is brilliant! I might have to steal that.

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  58. What an inspirational post. Great idea!

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  59. My first thing was the medicine cabin... I took all the things out and got few box from the candystore (those are really great... and FREE! Little bit of fancy paper and a cute label, that´s it!) and voila! Kids medicines and all the supplies, skin care products etc in one box and the other for adults. And then I made two more; first aid-box and the box for our boys sunscreens etc.

    The next was the baking drawer and the candyboxes were just great for that too!
    Now I got about 30 boxes and have used those for everywhere! Fancy papers, cute labels and cabins are organized and all the trash is gone :)

    Thans for inspiration!

    Tanja

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  60. What a coincidence that i have done mine before i read this post!

    http://aishahaleyes.blogspot.com/2013/02/house-project-21-organizing-bakingware.html

    unfortunately mine wasnt as cute as yours =)

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  61. After seeing this, I decided my baking drawer needs some serious organizing as well!! This is wonderful inspiration to get started!

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  62. I love this! My mom came last year and we went through every closet and drawer at my house to organize and purge for a yardsale. However, my baking drawer stayed as is. I now need to find a new solution for my spices so I'm going to move them from the clogged cabinet above the stove to the drawer where all my baking supplies are (actually: baked good decorating supplies...this is perfect and I'm going to use most of these!) she's coming back and I'm tackling my master closet and bathroom linen closet (so your march task is perfect!

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  63. Wow...I just discovered your blog...guess I'll be making a baking box today! No extra drawer space...but a small area in my pot cabinet. I do have all my baking supplies (mixes, etc) in a box in my pantry.

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  64. Oh my god, that section at Target is my go-to as well! It's amazing.

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