yule love this!

i think my favorite part of gift giving is making pretty little packages.

i have been brainstorming a couple fun ideas using recycled materials

...and here is one of my faves...

 

it's a yule log made from a TP tube and a couple of egg carton cups.

so cute to stuff with tiny gifts!

what you need:

tools: scissors, paint brush, pen

materials: news print or tissue paper, egg carton, 

toilet paper tube, white glue, acrylic paint

(i forgot to include the egg cups in this photo, but you get the idea)

4 simple steps:

...PREP...

glue newsprint to TP roll: i used blank newsprint (like the kind they wrap breakables in) but you could also use regular newsprint or tissue paper

cut paper large enough to wrap around the roll with a little bit overlapping and enough allowance to fold over the ends. you can crinkle it up for added texture before you glue it. (of course this was an afterthought so mine turned out pretty smooth)

 

slather on the white glue using your paint brush and attach the paper.

this adds extra stability to the tube and creates great texture for your log.

 

trim off excess paper for a perfect seam

 

apply glue to the inside end of the TP roll and wrap paper around the edge.

here is what they look like when they're done

 

trim 2 eggs cups from your carton with a pair of scissors.

(you'll be surprised how easy it is to cut a smooth circle. make sure to trim it so it fits snuggly in the end of your TP roll)

 

set aside and let everything dry

(this image shows the egg cups inside the TP roll because i attached mine before painting, but you can also attach them at the end)

...PAINT...

select colors that will have a nice contrast for wood grain details and apply a base coat of paint to your TP roll and egg cups and let dry.

 
  
paint on woodgrain detail. 

a tip for easy grain is to start with quirky shaped knots and draw squiggly-ish lines along the length of the tube filling in any spaces with shorter lines.

then paint growth rings on the inside of your egg cups.

 ...ASSEMBLE...

apply glue around the outside rim of one of your egg cups

and secure in the end of the TP roll.

be sure to leave the other end open so you can fill it with goodies.

(i glued in both ends at the beginning, but if you want to fill it with something you will need to leave one end open)

...EMBELLISH...

decorate your log with a stand of satin ribbon and wire stemmed mushrooms.

and whatever else you can dream up.

 

stuff with tiny treasures

secure your other egg cup in the open end to finish it off.

...i think they would be FABULOUS tied together in groups of 3...

i will post some pics after i finish the others.

and i would love to see yours when you're done:)

ttfn

Comments

[AForestFrolic]

Oh my goodness, that is the sweetest little gift box ever...thanks for the tutorial and great inspiration. Love your new shop goodies too.

Jamie :)

[Xanthe]

I've been looking for tutorials for great teacher gifts. I'm so glad I subscribe to your blog!
This is by far the coolest tutorial I've found yet! this is something my 8 and 11 yr old and I can make together for all their teachers. Thanx so much for sharing!!!!

[Amber]

oh I LOVE this!! What a cute idea!! And how adorable they would look stacked under a tree! A creative way to give money too! :D Thank you for sharing this!

[Jenny]

Where oh where do you find those lovely toadstools? I need some of my very own!

[Mitsy/ArtMind]

Oh, this is fab! I love it! Thanks for this fun idea! :)

[songbirdtiff]

What a cute idea! I found you via a dollar store crafts tweet.

[Nikki/WhiMSy love]

LOVE! Will be making some for sure! I'm off to order some of those toadstools. Thanks!
(found you via CRAFTzine:blog.

[Lori Dean Dyment]

Very cute idea. I think my daughter would be into making these. Thanks for the post.

[Cassi]

Lori - you are brilliant as always!! So very cute!

[Ralu]

so cute and ingenious! I'm glad I've found this post :)

[Catherine]

so clever and so nice ! Thanks for the idea, I'll definitely make it !

[Krissi Sandvik]

This is AWESOME! I'm going to repost it on the "Scary CRAFT" blog today - I wonder how our 'outsider crafters' will decorate theirs....

[alpinebutterfly]

I totally love this idea!! Simple, recycled... and beautiful! Sooooo, going to make some as stocking stuffer!

[dot]

Saw this linked on Craft... too cute! such a clever idea.

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