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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tool Time Tuesday...Toilet Paper Roll Gift Box or Advent Calendar

I know...long title, but I wanted to get it all in!!

This is a great recycling project to use up all the cardboard tubes from rolls of toilet paper, paper towels or the tubes from gift wrap paper!! Those are long, so you can cut a lot out of one tube...so start saving!





You will need
  • decorative paper or fabric
  • glue or hot glue
  • cardboard tube...toilet paper, paper towel or gift wrap paper cut into pieces
  • ribbon


Just an FYI...those little scrapbook paper sampler books are the perfect size for this.


However, who can resist a good red and white polka dot!!


Cut a piece of paper or fabric wide and long enough to fit your tube.


Glue or hot glue the long seam and the round outer edge.


Go all the way around and seal the end piece.


Done!


Now, here is the first fold. Make sure the seam of the paper is centered and is under your thumb. Squeeze to crease.


I hot glued this because it dries fast. Hold til sealed. If you use regular glue...clamp it until dry.


All sealed shut.


At this point, it will look like an open tube of toothpaste.


For the second squeeze, make sure the first crease is in the opposite direction of the second. Meaning, one should be running north to south and the second runs east to west. Does that make sense?


Here it is in this picture. The first crease is on the table...north to south. The one I am pinching is east to west.

After that second pinch, you can add your little trinkets or gift...great for
  • candy
  • mini toys
  • money
  • jewelry
  • gift certificates
  • coupons you write out for free babysitting, dinner, chores etc


Just hot glue to seal and add a little bow and gift tag. This is a good picture of how the seams are running in the opposite direction.


If you don't want to hot glue the last seam shut so it's easy to get into and reusable, punch two holes on the top edge...run your ribbon through there and tie.


That hole on the left looks a little sketchy, lol...don't try punching a hole through dried hot glue!!


Here is the box used for gift giving.






If you want to make 25 of these in the same paper or all different papers, you can add numbers and make an advent calendar out of them.


Just number them 1-25 with a marker or scrap booking stickers.


I have one of these little decorative hangers...I think it's to display a special ornament.


Just hang each day's advent packet from this.

Or you can string them together like a banner and your children or grand children can take one down each day.




This is a great project for any age...young or old. It's quick, easy and practically free! Have fun making them.

Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~

24 comments:

  1. What a great idea - thanks for sharing! I'm looking forward to making some of these with my DD's later today!

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  2. Great idea! I might get my craft group making a 'Merry Christmas' banner (or similar) with this idea.
    Who doesn't like glue-gun craft??
    Thanks

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  3. Love that one!!!!! Might have to make one real quick for my great grandkids.

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  4. What a cute idea! The best part is that it is super easy and the supplys are readily available. Who doesn't have toilet paper.... Love your choice of paper by the way. Thanks Karen. Love Tabby

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  5. Would be cute to put a bunch of them on a small tree and let guests take one home with them after their holiday visit with you!

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  6. Cute, cute idea. Thanks! these can work all year for whatever occasion. I like to leave notes for my grandsons and make them hunt from place to place to find their gifts. So much fun and these will suit as a perfect "hint" holder!

    Happy Thanksgiving.

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  7. I am a huge Peanuts (Charlie brown and gang) fan. I am going to use Peanuts wrapping paper and make gift ornaments to go on my tree with all my other Peanuts decorations and on Christmas they will send my son on a hunt for his presents.

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  8. Love this! I'm thinking I will start saving t-paper rolls and do Advent banners for each of my G-kids next year. Thanks so much for all your creative sharing.

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  9. Wonderful idea. Now to save those rolls

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  10. The versatile possibilities for this craft are endless. What a great idea!

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  11. I have saved tubes forever. Very cool idea. May use it for small group gift holders! Thanks!

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  12. What a great idea, I guess I better start saving toilet paper rolls for next Christmas.

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  13. Great idea! I love toilet roll tube crafts but unfortunately we are not allowed to use them in Girl Guides as they have said it is too unhygienic! I wouldn't worry about it myself and think these would look cute on the tree with a little surprise in them.

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  14. I love these! I think a garland or banner is a great idea for them. Thanks for sharing!

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  15. What a neat idea! Thank you for sharing! Have a great holiday! Why can't I think of things like this?

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  16. Ok I hope all is okay in your world Karen as it seems that you have been absent from your blogging post do hope everything is okay

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  17. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  18. Nice post. Parents are parents, not Gods. Of course they cannot have all the answers. The way you explain things to your kids should do all the work…it all comes under parenthood and your people skills.
    paper products

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  19. Great Idea! I think I'm going to do something like this for my kids to put their halloween candy in to give to their classmates!

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  20. Great Idea! I think I'm going to do something like this for my kids to put their halloween candy in to give to their classmates!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!