Doom scrolling one night on my phone many many moons ago, I came across a video on how to reuse old toilet paper rolls (empty) and turn them into a banner. If you know me, I LOVE reusing items and giving them a second life, so when I saw this idea, I knew I wanted to make a handmade birthday banner for Hazel's birthday. I mean why not?! I wasn't out anything! With a potty training toddler, we go through significantly more toilet paper than necessary, but I knew I would still need help collecting empty toilet paper rolls to get enough by Hazel's birthday and so I told my Dad- Mr. Yesteryear Acres himself- about the project I saw. And THANK GOODNESS! Mr. Yesteryear Acres was my reduce reuse and recycle HERO! He saved every toilet paper roll and paper towel roll from his house, gathered them from my brother's house on days he went over there to work, as well as my sister's house and grandmother's house. My Dad NEVER ever forgot to save the cardboard rolls. Honestly without him, I probably would have forgotten my squirreled away stash in my office. Thank you so much Dad! With our powers combined, my vision was possible!! And her toilet paper banner ended up being one of my favorite decorations from Hazel's 3rd birthday celebration and I cannot wait to make one for Thatcher's 1st birthday (I mean I CAN wait, because NO way is Thatcher almost ONE WHOLE YEAR already!!!!!). Without further ado.... I give you fun with toilet paper "tooter tubes" as Hazel calls them- dressed up in their birthday era.
First step, cut paper towel rolls in halves to match toilet paper rolls so they match in size
Then submerge in a glass of warm water for just a few minutes until the roll unfurls itself
Then fold into triangles and dry on a towel for 24 hours- repeat tube soaking and folding until you have as many as you need for your banner project.
Now that the triangles are completely dry, the fun part of drawing and decorating is next!
I found that white color pencil and some colorful markers worked the best for decorating each little pennant. And then simply hang ribbon or string and add each TP triangle like a pin on a clothes line.
In a last minute decision, I decided to place the homemade banner on the big mirror on the stair landing
That way Hazel was surprised first thing in the morning....
And celebrated one last time on the way to bed that evening.
It was a big hit!!! "Wow Mommy! You made this for me?!"
Now I must save all the toilet paper and paper towel rolls forever and ever!
Think of all the celebratory banners we could make!!!
Or the worlds coolest fort decorations!!
Oh Mr. Yesteryear Acresssss!
Teamwork makes the TP dream work!!!
Always,
Amelia
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