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What can you do with a paper towel roll?
Mommy on a Shoestring columnist Beth Engelman shows off a napkin ring made with cardboard tubes. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 9, 2012 3:06PM
Decorate, celebrate and organize your home with easy crafts made from recycled cardboard tubes. One thing’s for certain, you’ll never throw away a paper towel roll again.
NAPKIN RINGS
Surprise guests at your next dinner party with custom made napkin rings worthy of a Martha Stewart spread.
You need:
Paper towel rolls
Decorative paper (varying patterns)
Strong adhesive (such as tacky glue or double-sided tape)
Directions:
Cut paper towel rolls into thirds.
Cover rolls with decorative paper by layering two to three different patterns on top of each other. Allow time to dry.
Slip napkins through rings and place on table.
PARTY CRACKER FAVORS
Goody bags are so 2011. This year send guests home with “party crackers” filled with mini sweets and treats.
You need:
Paper towel rolls
Colorful tissue paper
Ribbon
Mini goodies (such as candy, stickers, erasers and beads)
Directions:
Cut paper towel roll into halves or thirds.
Place goodies inside cardboard tubes (two tubes per cracker) and then wrap with colorful tissue paper.
Secure ends with ribbon.
To open, pull both ends of cracker to reveal surprise treats inside.
PING-PONG BALL HOLDER
Errant Ping-Pong balls have met their match with this paper towel roll turned Ping-Pong corral.
You need:
Paper towel roll
Decorative paper
Ping-Pong balls
Directions:
Cover roll with decorative paper.
Add cute label if desired (such as “Bounce” or “The Ping-Pong Corral”).
Place balls in holder and set on table for easy access for gameplay.
MULTI-LAYERED DESK ORGANIZER
I might be dating myself, but all I can say about this cheap and inexpensive organizer is “it’s totally tubular!”
You need:
Paper towel roll
Heavy cardboard tubes (such as ribbon spools)
Paint
Scissors
Strong adhesive (such as tacky glue or double-sided tape)
Directions for horizontal organizer:
Cut paper towel roll in half lengthwise.
Set aside one half and paint the other as desired. Note: Be sure to use just one coat of paint so as to not weigh down the tube.
Cut two 2-inch strips from the discarded tube half. These strips will be used as compartment separators for your organizer.
Paint the separators and when dry, secure them to the organizer with tape or a dab of glue.
Directions for vertical organizers:
Trim cardboard tubes to ensure they are all the same height.
Paint each tube as desired. Allow time to dry.
Place tubes on flat surface (such as on a shelf, desk or inside a drawer).
Fill tubes with small objects that easily get lost or roll away.
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