This is a cheap and easy way to keep little papers and pens and whatnots in easy reach and off of your desk, particularly when surface space is limited. Using just a few cardboard boxes, fabric scraps, and sheets of decorative paper, and some Elmer's glue and duct tape to hold it together, you can also add a spatially large splash of color to your dull plaster white apartment wall without paying $100 of your deposit to nail it up.
Step 1Overview
Here is your goal. I actually made most of it before I decided to start taking pictures of what I was doing, but I imagine some day I'll go back and redo some things. This one is 30" wide, 35" tall, and less than 4" in profile. The French memo board at top left is 14" wide by 24" tall. I made the memo board in a strange and unnecessary way, so I suggest not using the instructions I will eventually give.
Here's what you need:
2 cardboard boxes
1 fairly large piece of cardboard
several smaller scraps of fabric
decorative paper
ribbons, buttons, small photographs, appliques, and other decorative elements
Elmer's multi-purpose glue
duct tape
scissors
ruler