Does your spice cabinet look anything like this? Yep, pretty messy. When I was out of town, my hubby noticed how bad it was and strongly suggested that I get the thing organized. So, I finally did.
Remember these retro spice racks? Think 1970’s, groovy apartment, cooking for yourself. Everyone has to have some nifty spices, right? I found this brand new spice rack with pretty glass bottles probably 2 years ago at a yardsale for 50 cents. And it’s been in my cabinet all this time, waiting for me to finally get to it.
Those computer skills I learned on the job have all come in handy and I knew just how to make some pretty labels in Word. I chose an oval shape, with a pretty border around it, added a pretty font and typed away. Twelve spices later, I hit print and was done. 
Cut them all out with scissors and Mod Podged them to the bottles. A little Goo Gone on a Q-tip took off any residue around the labels.
Aren’t they cute? Here’s how to make the labels in Word:
Open a Word document, click on Insert, then Shapes. Pick out the one you like, I used an oval. You can resize and drag the shapes. You can then click on Shape Outline to pick an line outline, size and weight. It might say Format Autoshape & I had to click on More lines to get this one. Play around with all of that. Then, to get the font inside the box, click on Text Box, add your text and drag it inside the box. I used Bradley Hand for my font. You will have to get rid of the box around the Text Box by clicking No Line. All this is under Textbox Tools. And you may have to click No Background if your text box is hiding part of the circle. Then when you have it like you want it, hold down Shift and click the Text Box & Circle to group them together. Then, rick click and click Copy and then Paste to paste 12 more identical circles on your page. Drag them apart and change the name in the middle and presto, you’re done. You may have to hunt down right drop-down menus for your shapes and fonts. Word seems to change things up with every upgrade and the one I have now is much more confusing than the old version used to be. It’s really easy to do though!
Ready to rock and roll in the kitchen now. 
I painted the rack black, of course, and they will be in reach under the cabinet for hubby or me (well, mostly me). 
I also took the opportunity to clean out my old spices and since I usually buy the bulk spices at Whole Foods, I’ll store them in the cabinet and refill as needed. 
Hope you got inspired to get your spices in order too. It feels good to be organized.
Not that I’m completely there. I still need to work on my closet. 🙂
What do your spices look like?
Come back on Monday for the master bathroom subway tile post! I’ve been working on it all week and it looks fantabulous! I LOVE IT!
Oh girl, LOVE it!!!
I want to find new spice bottles and do something similar! I posted about my ‘new’ spice rack yesterday (it’s probably the 3rd post down right now) but it will look wicked with something like this!
Thanks for the inspiration, as always!
I hate to admit it, but unorganized herbs and spices drives me nuts. When we moved into our home, I had my husband build me a spice rack that is the full length of my panty door (it’s attached to the inside of the door). Now for my analness…they’re all alphabetically arranged.
I have gotten so many of those spice racks over the years but used them for paint when I had my craft business. Since I rarely cook guess I don’t need one for spices.
Hi Rhonda,
I don’t think my spices look too good right now. I had better get busy at least now I am inspired by you!
hugs
Sissie
Looking good and now you no where every thing is and what it is for. I have all my spices in a drawer and every time I open it they move all over…good idea
Yes my is a mess and now I am on the hunt for one myself. On an unrelated note…I noticed your backslash is identical to mine, except you have what appears to be a nice outlet cover. Can you please enlighten me as to where you got them and what color receptacle you choose. DH & I have been back and forth on this! Would love to see more. So glad I found your blog! Thanks! Stephanie
My spices look just like your first picture, they fill a cabinet. So, I am wondering how you manage with just 12??? Anyway, they LOOK terrific now! I just did my closet today! I have been in a real organizing mood for 2 weeks!!!!! XO, Pinky
My spices are a disaster. I have them in two plastic baskets in the cabinet above my stove. Now, I’m going to be on the lookout for something like this. Verah, verah cute.
I keep mine in a long narrow drawer in my island where my cooktop is. All are withing easy reach, and I find I use them more frequently since I don’t have to go far to add them to a dish. The bulk spices/refills I keep in a door rack on the back of my pantry door.
Very cute spice rack! And very practical too!
I had to comment because my spices are one area where I’m fairly orgainzed. I have a drawer for the regular sized ones and I store the big bulk containers in the pantry. My spice drawer was definitely one of the best kitchen ideas I’ve ever tried.
HI, Steph, those outlet covers were plain white when we moved in. I got out my craft paints & did a faux finish to match the tile, which worked out great. Now they blend right in. I think I used 2 or 3 colors to blend them in.
Pinky, I do have several other spices too, but these are the main 12, so I narrowed them down to this. I have other bottles in the cabinet, like Garlic powder, Lawry’s seasoning, etc.
I’m glad ya’ll liked this idea! I think it will be nice to have them so handy & they are out of the way too.
My spices look EXACTLY like your first picture. I do have one of those spice racks painted apple green in my studio for some of acrylic paints. I do need to figure out SOMETHING to do with my spices. They are terrible.
Rhoda, it is definitely my closet that needs attention. Actually I should say closets, all that are in our home. Since we’ve been buying bulk spices, we don’t have a lot around. We just buy a small amount and keep the little plastic bags in a storage container. Frees up a lot of cabinet space and the spices don’t get old.
Looks great and functional. Great mix…
Rhoda, It turned out so great! love the cute jars and labels.
I’ve been doing some spring cleaning of my own, check it out.
http://www.these-are-the-days.com/2010/02/spring-has-sprunglets-clean-house.html
I sold one just like this several years ago (maybe to you!) . Wish now I had saved it. Love the black and labels.
Love how they turned out,,,the rack looks so much nicer painted black…. hmmmm I think I will keep and eye out for one now…… have a great weekend.
Hugs;
Alaura
Brilliant! You and your ideas, Rhoda!! You go, lady!
Dearest Rhoda,
Your spices look pretty nice, now. I love way you did with the labels. Funny you should ask this question right now. Just last Thursday I filled 20 little spice jars that I got at IKEA while I was on the west Coast. I have put them in two drawers right next to my range. I am so happy with them, and now I know how to make the labels. Thank you! I will be watching for your bathroom subway tile post!
Hugs, Cindy S.
You have inspired me!! I love these tips!! Thanks for “spicing” up our lives!! :o)