{gift wrap holder}

I don't know about you, but I love wrapping paper, and I love seeing it displayed in a craft room on pretty, but usually expensive organizers. Last Christmas I seriously considered buying this one from Pottery Barn, but $230 wasn't really in my budget, so I stuck my precious paper in a cardboard box & closed the closet door.

After we moved into our new house and put everything away, there were a few items I couldn't find homes for. My big, magnet board was one of them. I loved it, but I just couldn't find the right spot. (Here's where I used it in our old house)Finally, after a trip to the hardware store, I knew what I wanted to do with it. I decided to turn it into a gift wrap holder!

Here's how I did it...

First, you'll need some cup hooks- the size you get will depend on the size of dowel you use. I used 3/4" hooks & 5/8" x 36" dowels.

Next, spray paint the hooks (I painted them black) and measure how far apart you want to space them. I did mine about every 3" vertically. I also used a 1/16" drill bit so screwing them in would be easier. Oh, I got the big magnet board at a local craft store (Roberts) & took the metal sheet out of the back. I came unfinished and I made my own stencil for the black and white pattern. If you don't see these at your craft store, you could also use an old window, a large frame (check out thrift stores!), or even make your own frame using a couple of 2x4's (Home Depot will cut the wood for you- just give them the measurements!)
Next, I cut the dowels down about 4 inches and painted only the ends because I figured, why paint the whole thing when you're just going to see the ends? Good thinkin' eh? *wink*
And Voila! This is the final result! Pretty isn't she?