Patriotic July 4th recycled napkin rings and coaster set tutorial

Do you save the tops from containers and even empty paper towel rolls? Have you been looking for a project to use these recycled items? Well, you are in luck because you can use them to make these quick and easy recycled napkin rings and coaster set for your 4^th of July celebration.  All you need is patriotic duct tape, an empty paper towel roll, and a plastic 2 in-diameter top for each coaster. (Mine came from a container of breadcrumbs)  You can whip up a whole set in minutes!

You will need:

Empty paper towel roll

Patriotic duct tape print  (Or you can substitute solid colors, red, white or blue)

2-inch diameter plastic top (one for each coaster)

Scissors

Ruler, pencil

X-acto or craft knife

Plastic or cardboard work surface

Gather your supplies

To make the napkin ring:

1.     Measure and mark 1 ¼” from the end of the paper towel roll.  You can flatten it slightly and use the mark as a guide to cut it.  Use your fingers to open it back up.  Cut as many 1 ¼” sections as you need- one for each napkin ring.

2.     Cut a piece of duct tape 5 ¾” long.  Lay the duct tape sticky side up and roll on the paper towel roll ring.  Make sure you center it on the duct tape.  Smooth out any wrinkles.

3.     Use the scissors to cut sections right to the edge around the napkin ring that are overlapping and fold each section inward.  (See photo)

To make the coaster:

1.     Apply two pieces of duct tape to the inside of the plastic top.  Use your finger to press around to reveal the raised center circle.  Using the center circle as a guide, cut around with an X-acto or craft knife.  You may have to go around twice.  Remove the excess duct tape  and you will have a perfect center circle. 

2.     For extra flair cut a piece of duct tape ¼” x 11 ¾” and press around the rim.  Trim off any excess.