Upcycle: easy & inexpensive DIY napkin rings |Keeping it Real

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Upcycle: easy & inexpensive DIY napkin rings

...using cardboard tubes and washi tape!

DIY, easy & inexpensive napkin rings, washi tape, cardboard rolls


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.



DIY, easy & inexpensive napkin rings, washi tape, cardboard rolls
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.

DIY, easy & inexpensive napkin rings, washi tape, cardboard rolls

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).

DIY, easy & inexpensive napkin rings, washi tape, cardboard rolls
Cover the rings with washi tape:

DIY, easy & inexpensive napkin rings, washi tape, cardboard rolls

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:

DIY, easy & inexpensive napkin rings, washi tape, cardboard rolls


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


DIY, easy & inexpensive napkin rings, washi tape, cardboard rolls

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

DIY, easy & inexpensive napkin rings, washi tape, cardboard rolls

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.

DIY, easy & inexpensive napkin rings, washi tape, cardboard rolls

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

Enjoy,



29 comments:

  1. These are very cute and I love that they're frugal, too! With my budget, I'm always looking for a cheap way to make my home look special without spending money. This does the trick :) Thanks for sharing your great post at Together on Tuesdays!

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    1. Thank you for hosting such a wonderful party! Have a great week!

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  2. Aww...these are so cute!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  3. These are so cute!

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  4. Thanks for sharing on the #OMHGWW this week!!

    Hope you have a great week!
    Karren

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  5. What a great idea and your instructions make them look quite easy. Thanks for sharing this idea with us at #AnythingGoes

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  6. so great and so easy :) extra bonus - cheap! Though I have always been told to NOT be cheap and easy - always be one or the other - I think that doesn't apply to crafts :) thanks so much for making a craft for the Creative Challenge!!

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    1. I see your point, but I'm guessing that for summer napkin rings we can do cheap and easy, at least for more informal gatherings...Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

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  7. This is a wonderful idea and I love how it coordinates the pattern on the dishes!

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    1. Thank you Sandra. The coordination was just random luck, though, not planned (though probably helped by the fact that I seem to have an endless stash of washi tape...)

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  8. They are so cute, Teresa!
    I need to get myself some wash tape. There is also so much you can do with it!
    Thank for sharing it on #TipTuesday!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Debbie, have a great weekend!

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  9. What a awesome idea!! Loving this and that you shared it over at Making Memories Mondays! See you Sunday night! :-)
    Cathy@threekidsandafish{dot}com

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  10. They are cute, colorful, and very handy. You can make anytime. Lovely !!
    Thanks for sharing in Fabulous Fridays.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, have a wonderful week!

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  11. This looks so amazing! Pinned and tweeted! Thanks for being a part of our party. I hope to see you, tonight at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls

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    1. Thank you Kimberly! Off to link up to this week's party!

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  12. Great idea! Thanks so much for sharing at #HomeMattersParty. Hope you'll join us again.

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  13. Yup! A fun, inexpensive, and creative idea! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  14. Cute!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! Hope to see you again tomorrow!! Pinned!

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    1. Thank you Elaine! Off to link up to this week's party!

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  15. You're right - so easy yet so cute! How great that they match your dishes! Thanks for sharing with the #BlogFair. Hope you can visit again this week.

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