I'm still in an upcycling mode as I look for ways to reuse paper items in my recycling bin. This Valentine project uses toilet paper tubes and the latest Valentine Delights release from Memory Box! These little flattened tubes make great holders for gift cards, tiny presents, chocolate, and more. You could even put two or three of them together by punching holes in one end with a Crop-o-dile and threading book rings through them to create a mini album filled with pictures, keepsakes, and other treats for a special someone! This is one of the projects for my Memory Box Valentines class on January 14th at Your Maine Stamper.
Begin by flattening a toilet paper tube. Select a piece of 6X6 paper. I used the papers from the Memory Box Pixie collection. Attach double-sided tape to one edge of the toilet paper tube and stick the paper on, centering the tube and leaving some extra on each end. Pull the paper tight against the tube and fold the paper around it, using double-sided tape to secure the final flap. You are going to tuck the extra paper into the open ends of the tube. I cut a small triangle out of each flap to make it easier to tuck in and secured each with double-sided tape. That's all there is to it! You can tape, staple, sew, or otherwise close one end of the tube if you wish, although I left mine open. The fun part is decorating each tube and its coordinating tag (I used medium manila tags), stamping and adding embellishments, and deciding what other goodies to stuff in each one.
Valentine Gift Packet #1: I stamped D1431 Crafty Birds on both the tube and the tag using Archival Jet Black ink. I edged the tag with Worn Lipstick Distress ink and added a piece of red/white ribbon. For the fun little embellishment, flatten one mini cupcake paper baking cup and attach it with glue or glue dots to a circle punched from scrap cardstock. Scrunch the middle of a second baking cup and attach that to the center of the first. Secure a vintage button in the center, and stick the whole thing onto the paper tube. An easy peasy rosette! There's room on the tag to write a message and to add a sweet treat.
Valentine Gift Packet #2: I edged the tag in Worn Lipstick Distress ink. I used Archival Jet Black ink to stamp the dotted ring from B1435 Ring and Dot on both the paper tube and the tag, adding dots from the same stamp in the centers using Worn Lipstick Distress ink. I stamped the word love from B1423 Love and Hearts in Archival Jet Black ink on the tube. I had the pearl/flower stickers on my desk left from a previous project and stuck a few of those on and then added some pale pink ribbon. I taped a gift card onto the back of the tag. Perfect fit!
Valentine Gift Packet #3: I folded a white paper doily in half and secured it to the front and back of the tube with double-sided tape in the center and a couple of glue dots on the scalloped edge. I used Spun Sugar Distress Ink to stamp the tiny hearts from B1423 Love and Hearts in the center of the doily on the front of the tube and on the tag and added the word love from the same stamp in Worn Lipstick Distress ink. I used a black Tombow pen to write "A Valentine gift for You!" and taped a pair of earrings to the tag. A little bit of pale pink sheer dotted ribbon, and...Voila!
I'm sure that you can think of ways to use these gift packets for a variety of occasions throughout the year. You might even make up a bunch to use as place cards for an event or as party favors!
Happy Stamping!
