DIY: Desktop Organizer

If you are anything like me you save TONS of files, pictures, & programs on your desktop so that you can have instant access. This is especially true while I am working on new products.

The downsides of saving everything on your desktop are that it takes FOR-E-VER for your computer to boot up AND it does not look pretty. 

So was inspired by Kristin at A Teeny Tiny Teacher, to make my own desktop organization. She had her own inspiration from here, and here.

Here is what I came up with:

 
Kristin provided instructions using a Mac, but I have a PC so I am going to share my process with you. 

I used PowerPoint to design my organizer because that is the program I am most familiar with. 

To get started I chose one of my favorite frame sets that I haven't been able to find a use for. I like the contrast the of the folders with the chalkboard. I played around with the different shapes and headings until I was happy with my layout. 

Then, I added background paper. There is probably a more intelligent way to do this, but I just inserted my picture and I dragged the image by the right bottom corner until it filled the entire slide. 
Then, I saved my image as a PDP  to a folder I created.

Next, I opened the folder and right clicked on the image to "Set as Desktop Background"

After this my background looked a bit wonky so, I right clicked on my desktop screen and chose Personalize, Desktop Background, and chose the Picture Position "Fit."

After I did ALL of this I realized that the slide dimensions were a little off so I changed the slide dimensions about three times (and resized my images in PowerPoint) before I was totally happy. 

Here are the dimensions I ended up with, I have this computer.

All in all it took me about 20 minutes and I am SO pleased with how it turned out. The last step was just to drag everything into its place!

The frames I used are from Paula Kim Studio. The digital paper is from Sugar Studios.

If you do not want to make your own there are free templates here, here, and here. :)