Lots of our customers have asked me about the Clip It, a relatively new device for organizing embellishments. They've seen it in magazines and thought it look promising--until I tell them how much it costs. The two-tiered version goes for about $90, which is why we have never brought it into the store. Then this weekend I was reading my new favorite book, Organization Tips for Scrapbookers from Creating Keepsakes Magazine and saw this invention by Britney Mellen and was floored by her ingenuity. Read on to see how you can get something comparable to the $90 item mentioned above for the price of a stand-alone paper towel holder and some page protectors from Staples. All you do is link the page protectors with three rings, pull off the top of the towel holder, slide the cone of the towel holder through the three rings, and hey presto, baby, you've got yourself a little piece of organizing heaven for very little money. And the book is chock full of great ideas like this. If you can't follow my description here, just ask me to explain next time you're in the store.
because it will be a *while* before i get to the store ... can you explain it to me !!!
Posted by: ~Kathryn~ | January 22, 2008 at 11:20 PM
That's really very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Gretchen | January 24, 2008 at 09:51 AM
This is fantastic. I'm running out to get my paper towel holder right now!!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful storage idea.
Posted by: Wendy Gorton | January 31, 2008 at 02:00 PM
that is such a cool idea!
Posted by: Betsy Sammarco | February 05, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Hi,
Do you remember what size book rings you used?
Posted by: Debbie | February 06, 2008 at 01:23 PM
also, I forgot to ask, did you use cardboard in the page protectors?
Posted by: Debbie | February 06, 2008 at 01:24 PM
The size of the rings you use will depend on the size of your paper towel holder. As long as they fit comfortably over the towel holder they should work. You might end up putting some kind of stop along the bottom of the towel holder, but from the picture it doesn't seem to be necessary. I wouldn't be surprised if she did use cardboard in the page protectors and that that's why it all looks so even.
Posted by: Sharon Cooke | February 06, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Wow, I am gobsmacked!! What an awesome idea!!
Posted by: Lainie | February 06, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Thanks so much for sharing this great idea. I have all but the paper towel holder already here in the house.
Posted by: Theresa | February 09, 2008 at 10:23 PM
oh my gosh what a great idea! Definitely gonna do this :) Thanks!
Posted by: Blake | February 13, 2008 at 11:07 PM
I am going to get mine holder today also, what a fantastic idea, I had been looking at the organizer that is 2 tiered with clips, this will work just a good! WAHOOOO
Posted by: Shell | February 17, 2008 at 09:31 AM
A genius idea. I'm thinking it would work as a solution for all my cling mount stamps that I can't figure out how to store.
Posted by: Tami Bayer | February 17, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Groovy idea!!
Posted by: Elaine | February 17, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Thanks so much for sharing this. If I can't find the metal towel holder, I am betting my DH can come up with something similar made from wooden dowels and scrap lumber!
Posted by: Billie | February 17, 2008 at 11:12 PM
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I just linked this post to my blog. :)
Posted by: Kim | February 19, 2008 at 01:41 PM
YAY!!! and my fav thing is this will still work for things that have don't have their package anymore. just slip them into the page protector as is.
:-}
tfs
Posted by: Koren | February 19, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Woo Hoo - I just took the wooden one from my stuff to tagsale box in the garage...I'm going to use it to organize all my punchout alphabets!! Thanks for the neat tip!!!
Posted by: ctmomof2 | February 21, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Incredible idea! Thanks for sharing your find!
Smiles,
Anne
Posted by: Anne Lawrie | February 26, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Wow!! what a fab idea, thanks!! Tobey
Posted by: Tobey Shepherd | February 28, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Quick question. How many page protectors do you have? I have 110 and mine is tipping slightly. Any tips? THANKS
Posted by: Jamie | March 01, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Oh my gosh!!! WHAT a super cool idea!!!!! Love it! TFS!!
Posted by: irwjc | March 30, 2008 at 05:01 PM
wonderful idea
sure beats buying a clip it up!!
Posted by: Victoria Martin | May 28, 2008 at 11:01 AM
I love this, but can not get my pages to stand up. Is there a way or is it just the stuff that goes in it??
For those looking for a paper towel holder...Check craigslist and freecycle!! That is where i got mine!!
Posted by: Alicia | May 29, 2008 at 01:13 PM
WOW!! That is soooo cool! I better go and buy this organizational book because I really need to organize my stuff. Thanks!
Posted by: maryjo marshall | June 27, 2008 at 02:53 PM
In order to get the pages to stand up/out nicely like hers do, you need to add a piece of cardboard or heavy card stock in the protector. This adds some "backbone" to the page. Otherwise I find it all to be very floppy and saggy.
GREAT idea!
Posted by: Traci Foshay | June 29, 2008 at 02:59 PM