Organized Active Storage? Bento Review + A Giveaway

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I am not an impulsive shopper but before I knew it, I had my room flooded with craft supplies. I have storage space but I often found my desktop covered with paper and stamps and I couldn’t find any pair of my scissors. I knew I needed some kind of system to keep the items I use most often organized and most importantly: handy. I spent an afternoon labeling my ink pads and found them each a cuddly home:

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I did not realize but I was organizing my Active Storage – a designated place for items used on a daily basis and accessed frequently. This little ink storage system is working quite well for me and I started looking for more products that can help me organize.

Lucky me was contacted by Rubbermaid to review and test their new line of decorative, fabric storage containers called Bento™. I got a set of all sizes of Bento Boxes and Toppers in Paprika color to test. The boxes are covered with polyester – easy to clean with a damp cloth.

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I have a little open space connected to my office where I use my die cut machine and dies. I used to spend a lot of time digging through the scraps to find the die I needed, but the large Bento box with dividers solved my problem. The dividers are flexible and allow me to easily create division inside the box to fit my need.

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Have a divided craft space means that I need to run back and forth for supplies… I used multiple small containers to keep my supplies easier to find but they were a pain to carry around. Not anymore, the x-large Bento box has divided space for my organization needs: paper, stamps and inks all have their own little space in this box and I can take them all at once! Score!

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The x-large box has two dividers on each end. If keep dividers on one end closed, I could put 12 x 12 paper in it but I was afraid that it would be too heavy. The box is very sturdy and has some weight itself. It was tempting to fill it up but I managed to keep it light and easy to carry – so I will actually use it (Wink!)

Have you noticed the small Bento box taking up a divider’s space? Yes, yes, it is perfect for my daily tools: adhesives, scissors, markers and acrylic blocks! I used to have a tray for them but it turned into another junk pile: (scissors and pens were missing)

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I picked the ones I use most often and put the rest of them away. Now it is much easier to remember to put my tools back:

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I experimented a little with the medium Bento box. I wanted to use it as a “To Use” box andI ended up with the stamp storage idea for now. I keep getting stamps at these sizes from a monthly scrapbook kit and I want to use them at least once before I put them away. With Flex Dividers, I can easily change the division if needed at anytime.

Last but not least, the Toppers! I had a lot of fun with them! They can be used as lids as well as trays! I used them all as trays: the x-large topper is good for some basic tools, the large topper is great for washi tape and the medium one has a perfect depth for wood-mount stamps! I put them there for display :) Pretty? The toppers can be purchased separately. The boxes are also nestable and stackable with or without the toppers.

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Fun? I hope that you are inspired to be more aware of creating your Organized Active Storage.  Happy crafting and organizing!

Bento sample I used was provided free of charge from Jo-Ann’s Stores, Inc. and Rubbermaid. You can find more product information on Rubbermaid’s website Bento Section Here. And Jo-Ann’s is carrying Bento in Chadwick, Loose Linen and Lombard:

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If you like the Paprika color I tested, I was generously given a set of all sizes to giveaway to my blog readers! (As shown in the photo, the toppers can be used as lids as well! Neat!)

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The  prize will be shipped directly from Rubbermaid and can only be shipped to U.S. and Canada. I hate to say no to my readers from the rest of the world, so if my first winner does not have a valid address in U.S. and Canada, I will draw a new winner for the Bento prize and mail the first winner some fancy craft supplies from my collections. Sounds fun? Here is how to enter:

How to Enter

I want to make sure you have many opportunities to win this fab set, so I came up with eight chances to enter. You do not need to do them all to enter. Remember you will need to leave a comment to this post for each chance! If you are already a follower, just leave a comment:)

* Leave a comment. You can tell me your favorite color/pattern of the Bento Boxes or whether you are aware of active storage before (it is new to me), 1 entry.
* Like Waffle Flower on Facebook and comment here, 1 entry
* Share the giveaway on Facebook with a link to this post and comment here, 1 entry.
* Add the giveaway picture (the last picture to this post) to your blog sidebar with a link to this post and comment, 1 entry.
* Follow this blog via Email or RSS and comment here, 1 entry.
* Follow me on Twitter and comment here, 1 entry.
* Follow me on Pinterest and comment here, 1entry.
* Pin the giveaway image on Pinterest and comment here, 1 entry. (or repin this)

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PT on October 11, 2012.

Good luck!!!

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279 thoughts on “Organized Active Storage? Bento Review + A Giveaway”

  1. Jennifer Ingle

    This is fabulous, Nina! Your organization is great! LOVING the washi tape goodness!!! I think my favorite color of the boxes would be the grey tones, although, red is so fabulous!

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  6. joscie

    oooh-la-la! such gorgeous organization. I hope I am the lucky winner and they count Hawaii as part of the US. ;)
    I have never heard of the active storage before, i love the options of the dividers open or closed. #awesome

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  18. Katie Gehring

    What a great system! I love that you can customize the dividers- it makes for a truly custom solution! I think I saw these boxes at my JoAnn’s last week, I must take a closer look next time I am in!

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  23. Marilyn Chang

    Your before desk looks exactly like my desk! I love Lombard’s layered gray tweed boxes. It’s such a great idea! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  34. JJ Bolton

    I actually have two of the smallest size Bento boxes in linen and I love them! I bought them to organize our cell phone/iPod/camera charging area. I love the adjustable dividers and the fact that they have a fabric exterior (not plastic). I would some of these in my craft area! Thanks for the chance to win them!

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  48. LinhC

    I like the Contemporary Circles bento boxes. I should look into these because I’ve gone from a basement scrapbook room to sharing the guest bedroom – not a lot of space and definitely need to be able to get to my supplies easily.

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  55. Heather Beck

    I have never heard of these, but they sure would be a welcome addition to my craft room! My husband is Air Force and we move quite a bit, I have a small space so this would be great to help me stay organized! Thanks for the opportunity to win!!

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  60. Becky D

    I LOVE this Nina! I had not heard of active storage before but it makes perfect sense and I need it! My craft room is still undergoing a makeover – it is very slow – but I would sure love to have this collection helping me get organized! I love all the colors and I would certainly be happy to have the paprika! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  63. JULI C

    WOW!!! i totally need these boxes! This is new to me! I have little boxes for every little thing but i need a big one to store everything into one place. thanks for the chance to win!

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  70. Lalo

    This is soooo much awesome Nina!!! I want a whole bunch of these and no I never seen these before…FABULOUS!!!

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  72. Diane Standish

    I love the Paprika! would love to have a set-never heard of this type of storage before!

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  80. Kristina M. Anderson

    What a great storage system. Rubbermaid has come up with a great idea. Love the Paprika color the best. Thank you for a chance to win!

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  82. Kristina M. Anderson

    I just “liked” you on Facebook! Thank you for a second chance to win the gorgeous containers! Have a great day!

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  85. Alicia Rodriguez

    Hi Nina- Bento Box storage is new to me – I want to clean my desk to look like yours! For some reason, a light colored inside appeals to me so the Loose Linen color is my favorite. Thanks!

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  100. Kristina M. Anderson

    I subscribed to the newsletter (via email). Thank you for another chance to win the cute Bento Boxes.

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  136. Kim Bass

    Love these, my daughter and I are redoing our craft room, what a great addition these would make.

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  137. Kim Bass

    I pinned, I twittered, I facebooked I am in and I look forward to checking out your pins.

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  139. Sabrina

    Wow Nina! What an awesome giveaway! These would be so useful as it seems we have many of the same supplies :) Thanks for the chance!

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  140. Shelly Kurth

    Well, you sure sold me on these!! :) With someone who is very limited on space (meaning I use my closet/bedroom to craft), these would be so perfect! And if you ask me, all the colors are wonderful! Thank you for sharing! :)

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  141. Cathy Sobotka

    I have always like the fall colors, and the paprika that you show in your photos is lovely so I would have to say that’s my favorite color. Thanks so much for the chance to win! I would love to have storage system like this!

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  145. Isabelle

    I love these boxes!!! The ones with the polka dots are my favorite. Thank you for a chance to win!

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  153. Beatrice Lawson

    How neat and tidy! I love what you did and would be super happy to seemy save organized like that. Had no idea about active storage, and my fave is the grey Lombard pattern! Thank you for sharing so generously!

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  156. Ali

    I think I like the Lombard best, as it would go with my white and aqua stuff the best. I had never heard of active storage until now!

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  162. Dorina D

    WOW! That’s a great storage system.I have small baskets that seem to be overfilled all the time. this works so much better. Thanks for the great information and sharing how you stored your products

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  178. got2bcrafting

    These look fantastic!! I am ALWAYS in search of a new way to organize my craft supplies. I think I would probably choose one of the darker colors, only because they would’t get as dirty as a lighter color. Of course, the Paprika would look AMAZING in my craftroom!! Wink , wink!! :)

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  184. Bonnie Melody

    Active storage is a new idea for me. My table always looks like your “before” picture. The Lombard is totally my style. So handsome and useful!

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  185. pamela

    I love this! Gotta run out and find some of these for my craft room as well. Really love the Khaki circle pattern ones!

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  188. Jinnee

    I just found out about these boxes from you. I love how my have the fold out dividers. I really like the solid red ones.

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  195. Jocelyn Olson

    Those are really cool, Nina! You did a great review (you’re always so good with pics. :). I’ve never heard of the system, but the dividers are a great idea.

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  199. Amanda Christensen

    I love this system! I’ve never heard of active storage before, but I like the principle. The paprika color is my favorite. What a great organizational tool!

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  204. Amanda Christensen

    Following your blog via email! Thanks for all the chances to enter your giveaway. :)

    Reply ↓
  206. Priscilla

    I wish i could have one of these boxes My room is full of cut up papers, supply of ink and paint, small cutting boards, etc. xD If I could have one i would have the “Bento in Contemporary Circles” but They all look great to me :P

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  212. small T

    This storage solution looks amazing! I’m always struggling with how to best organize my stuff. I would love to try this out! I had also never heard about active storage before.
    Thank you so much for the chance! :-) xx

    Reply ↓
  222. Donna Woods

    WOW!! (I thought I had commented on this already, glad I came back to check) This looks wonderful. I love the Paprika, but the other colors are great too. It really tidied up your area. Never heard of “Active Storage” before. Thank you for the chance to win. (For some reason I can never get the “connect to Facebook” to work…)

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  235. Karen Propes

    Love these boxes, I haven’t heard of them before your review. They look great, boy do I need all the help I can get, storage is limited in my Sewing/Craft room. Some things have to go upstairs in storage until I need them, Of course my husband doesn’t mind getting them, but I would use more often if I had my supplies close at hand. I love the Bento in Chadwick. Thanks for the chance to enter.
    ncjeepster@aoil.com

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  239. Kelly Sas

    I have never heard of these before, but being from Rubbermaid they would have to be of good quality. I think color choice would be based on what I want to use them for. In my craft room I would love the Paprika color. Thanks for the great review & chance to win some!

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  265. divinity

    i’ve never heard of these type of boxes…but they sure look like they make organizing super easy and fun! you have done a great demonstration of how great they can be! :)

    hugs, divinity (canada)

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  266. Lucy Sharer

    Love your work, and love how you organized your area. I follow you on your blog, and Facebook. I have shared this on Facebook on my page, and also on pinrest. Hope I win, as I need something like this to do my craft room. I love all the colors, so any color is acceptable to me. Thanks for letting me enter!

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  267. Peggy Nickelson

    I really like the Paprika color. I have never heard of active storage before either.
    It is a good concept. Thanks for the chance to win. I really lenjoy your designs and your creativity.
    Peggy n

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  269. Deborah

    Love the red color and would really use them if i won.Really like the lids and how they can be used also.

    Reply ↓

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