Save a Tissue Roll, Save the World

If you watched the now defunct TV series "Heroes," you'd know where the quirky blog post title came from!

I'm all for reducing, reusing, recycling and upcycling so this was one project I couldn't wait to get my hands on!  

Dear hubby left these giant tissue rolls for me one morning (he brought them home from the office) and I spotted them sitting on the desk.  I instantly knew they were for me!  I was giddy excited and smiled from ear to ear!  Such DIY project potential in these tissue rolls (Yes, I may be the only wife who gets strangely excited when her husband surprises her with tissue rolls).  Well, they really had me at "hello."  This meant another DIY project/challenge for me! 

Since these are gigantic tissue rolls, they aren't the flimsy kinds.  They're thicker and sturdier.  One look at it and I knew they were perfect for corralling items; perfect as pencil or pen holders.  All I needed to do was decorate it and glue a firm base to hold whatever items I decide to place in them.

So first, I washi-taped the first roll.  I'm a fan of all things chevron-print now (see pinterest board on Lovin' Chevron!)...but honestly, I think it turned out less than perfect.  Something about the gaps in the washi didn't do it for me (I think for chevron-print to work, there should be equal stripe widths).  It took me more than an hour to painstakingly achieve chevron but ummm, I'm not exactly satisfied with the result.  Could have been better.

I was happier about the design of my second tissue roll.  I wrapped it in Ellen Krans scrapbooking paper (from a set given to me by my sister from her US trip).  It's a school-themed print which I love since it's so me!  And it only took about five short minutes to do!  Now, that's my kind of DIY project!

What do you think?!

Next, I used the tissue rolls to trace circles on foam sheets to use as the base and cut them up. 

Then, I adhered them to the bottom of the tissue rolls with a glue gun.

Tada!  Tissue rolls with a foam base!

And the finished product - giant tissue rolls turned cutesy pencil holders.

That's it.  Easy peasy DIY project.

I wouldn't mind doing more of these in the future.  Maybe try to achieve a better chevron-printed one.

I enjoin you to do the same if you can get a hold of giant tissue rolls!  Let's save the world one giant tissue roll at a time! = )

Washi-taped Pencils

Do you remember that line in the movie "You've Got Mail" that goes:

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms..."

"...a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils."  That line stuck with me because I so get it!  I'd love and appreciate a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils!  LOL!  But really!!!  Wouldn't you?!?

I remembered that line while doing this washi-tape project and had to include a photo of my sharpened colored pencils!  What a happy sight! 

I got these pencils as Christmas gifts and thought of that "You've Got Mail" line, too!  I painted this mug in this shop called "Color Me Mine" which closed shortly after my sisters treated me to my bridal shower there.  Too bad it closed down.

I thought I'd do another fun washi-tape project (the first was the Homemade Bag Tags) while fixing my stuff.  Washi-taping my plain pencils seemed like a fun idea!  If you have washi tape and pencils, I suggest you go for it!  Do it as a breather in between stressful meetings at work or as a five-minute crafty project!  I'm serious.  It's all it takes...Five minutes to washi-tape a pencil!

Here are the results!

Plain pencils (which I love just as they are, actually) to...

Washi-taped pencils!!! <3...  I sharpened one (rightmost) to see what happens to the washi tape.  It crinkles a wee bit at the tip.  I suggest you use a manual sharpener to preserve the washi tape or the mechanical sharpener's teeth will leave marks on the pencil.

You can washi-tape yellow pencils too!

Yellow pencil washi-taped halfway!  Love it already!  I did this with my blue, space-themed washi tape!

Yellow pencils washi-taped all the way!  Cutie!

Try this project!  I'm telling you, it can be quite therapeutic!  And you may end up with your own bouquet of washi-taped pencils. ; )