Upcycle: easy & inexpensive DIY napkin rings

...using cardboard tubes and washi tape!

These are perfect for summer! For backyard parties, birthday parties, tea parties or any other kind of party! They are virtually inexpensive, can be made in a matter of minutes and can be customized to match just about any decor you want. And if in the end they are lost or damaged? No big deal, you can just make more next time.

I've been meaning to share this post since the beginning of the month, when Kristina & Millie, from 2 Crochet Hooks, invited me for the Creative Craft Challenge Link Party, but every single week something else came up and I never got round to actually do it.

The creative challenge for June is to use toilet paper rolls or cardboard tubes. Since I was making something to put on the table, I couldn't make myself use tp rolls, so I waited until I had an empty tube of paper kitchen towels. 

These napkin rings are so simple that a tutorial is almost redundant, but here it goes anyway!

What you need: cardboard tubes and washi tape.

Start by cutting rings off the cardboard tube. Measure so they are at least as wide as the washi tape you are using (it's not easy to cut the rings, so if they come out a bit on the large side, you can always adjust them later).

Cover the rings with washi tape:

And that's it. Your napkin rings are ready to use!

I was lucky to have in my stash a roll of washi tape that is almost a perfect match to the design on our kitchen dishes:

Now I have a set of napkin rings ready for summer dinners on the balcony (I wish we had a backyard)...

...or maybe for a summer tea party...

This must be one of the easiest projects I've ever made, but it's way up on the cuteness scale. And the possibilities are almost endless  as long as you keep a steady supply of washi tape. Plus, you're reusing those cardboard tubes that would go to trash instead.

Now go make a few of these. 'Cause you know you need them!

Enjoy,