On any given day, when you walk into my house you will find various piles of paper scattered throughout my kitchen.  Newspapers, bills, invitations, school permission slips, catalogs, schoolwork -- the list goes on and on.  It is amazing the amount of paper that comes into our houses everyday.  

In order to control the clutter created by this influx of paper, both at home and in my office, I've made a Paper Tamer to keep my kitchen countertops clear.  Simple in concept and easy to make, this file system really keeps my kitchen island clear.

Once it's created, hang it near the spot that is most likely to become the paper catchall in your house and then file away.  In my office and my house, everyone gets their own color-coded pocket.  Within minutes you'll see a difference.   No mess on the counters.  No hunting around for misplaced invitations or permission slips.

So follow our instructions below and make 2007 the year that you tame the paper monster.



SUPPLIES

Legal Size File pockets (different colors)
Hole Punch
Small Phillips Head Screwdriver
Hammer
1" Binder rings
Reinforcement Labels



INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Using a hole punch, create two holes in the top back lip of each file pocket.  They should be about 2" in from each edge and not too close to the top of the file so they don't rip.  Holes need to be the same distance from the edge on EACH pocket so the files will line up when hooked together.

2.  Using a small Phillips head screwdriver and hammer, poke a small hole on the bottom of each file folder that goes through the last fold of the pocket (see photo at right).  Once you have pierced through the folder you can push the screwdriver through the hole to make it a little bigger.  Again, make sure the hole is not too close to the bottom edge of the pocket.

3.  Adhere reinforcement labels on the front and back side of each hole you have made in the file pocket (8 reinforcements per pocket).

4.  Attach the file pockets together using the Binder Rings -- hooking one ring through the top of one file and to the bottom of another.

5.  Attach to desired spot in home using nails or screws through the top most holes in your file system.  Alternatively you can run string through the top two holes and then secure with one screw or nail.  

6.  Add stickers with the name of the items or persons designated for each file.

7.  You are now ready to de-clutter your kitchen!