Simple Napkin Rings


Simple and organic materials of raffia and cardboard create pleasing napkin rings or place cards... AND in the coming days it will serve as the sturdy base of a splendid little project I will be unveiling.

This project couldn't be thriftier or easier. Just cut the cardboard tube from your paper towels, wrapping paper, or what-have-you, down to the width you want for the place cards / napkin rings. Put a little hot glue on the tube and wrap raffia around it. You could tie it off in a bow or knot as in this photo, or hot glue into place a little cardboard leaf that can pull double duty as a place card. Options are endless!
I cut my tubes wide enough to accommodate the leaf punch/embosser I used for the place cards. 

But what I'm really going to use these for started with a field trip my hubby and I took a couple of weeks ago.

I bought some pretty little gourds.

The next weekend, when we worked in the yard, I started looking at the 'fall debris' in a whole new way.
You may have seen some of the results of that in this post.

These are seed pods from the locust tree.  Deer love to eat these. Once we had a deer munching on some no more than 8 or 10 feet away from us as we sat on the back patio. What a treat! {for all of us} 
Tons of them land in our yard each fall. See? There are still plenty waiting to fall. 

And all the threads of this little story will fall into place here with Part 2 of this story!


Here's a MUST-see the December holiday version. Click HERE
{Hint..You have a secret ingredient in your kitchen right now to make the holiday version even more amazing}

A yummy Fall treat:

Peach Crisp baked in Mason Jars


Kiss the Cook!
3 free printables






{I host a linky party every Wednesday. More info *HERE.*  I'm sharing Simple Fall Napkin Rings with these fine folks, whose links open on ~ Sunday:  Sew Darned CraftyI Should Be Mopping The FloorMaking Monday MarvelousBrassy AppleCraftomaniacAlderberry HillUnder the Table & DreamingMaking the World Cuter ; MondaySkip to my LouCherished BlissThe Rustic PigSugar Bee Crafts ; TuesdayNot Just a HousewifeCarolyn's HomeworkElizabeth & Co., The DIY DreamerTip Junkie's Tip Me TuesdaySavvy Southern StyleWhat we Wore & MadeUncommonGingersnap CraftsThe NY Melrose FamilyToday's Creative Blog ; WednesdayI Gotta Create! ,  All Star Block PartyThe 36th AvenueLive-Laugh-RoweHandy Man Crafty WomanThe Trendy Treehouse ; ThursdayScissors & SpatulasMy Repurposed LifeFrugal GirlsShabby Nest,  Romantic HomeFrench County CottageStuff & Nonsense ; FridayFunky Junk InteriorsHappy HourAnything GoesFinding FabulousMy Simple Home LifeTatertots & JelloThirty Handmade DaysOne Creative Mommy ; SaturdayBe Different Act NormalA Bouquet of TalentTutus & Tea PartiesSix Sisters StuffSew Country ChickDIY ShowoffPositively Splendid , Nifty Thrifty Things; Seasonal: Better Late Than Never}

Join The Wildly Original Crowd 
linky party Wednesdays at 7pm CST!

58 comments:

Lori said...

Your napkin rings are so pretty! They will look fabulous on the table!

Jenifer Harrod said...

Great idea with the napkin rings!
www.thezkids.blogspot.com

Katalina Jewelry said...

Love the napkin rings and I'm curious as to what else they are going to become! I'll be looking for the reveal.

South Bay Studio said...

I love your creation, always like the look of raffia ribbon. Kathi

Karen said...

Oh, I love me some re-purposed toilet paper rolls! So pretty:) Would love you to link up at Friday Frolic!!
http://karismaheartsavannah.blogspot.com/2011/11/friday-frolic_11.html

Karen@MSEnthusiast said...

Did you take those photos? Great eye. I would frame that one with the car. Very cool. Those napkins rings are pure awesomeness.:0)
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

andrea@townandprairie said...

So cute! Perfect for a kids' table, adults' table, anything! Love the repurposed aspect. andrea@townandprairie

Boden said...

I am seriously lovin' your napkin rings! I really enjoy any way to reuse what I've got kickin' around the house, and your idea is fabulous! I'd love for you to come by the Head to Head Showdown link party, going on right now at www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com to share this great project! I hope to see you there!

~Jen

Jane said...

I've been having fun reading through your past posts. You have a wonderful blog! I love the napkin rings, they have such a great, natural look to them.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!!
Jane

Christina at I Gotta Create! said...

How gratifying that something so simple and that makes reuse of of everyday 'waste' is bringing delight! And yes, Karen, for better or worse I take all my own photos {except for my Feature Stars-that's their work!}. I'm playing with settings and learning every day!

Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon Designs said...

These are so clever and pretty! We are having a Home for the Holidays link party and would love for you to join us!

Tina´s PicStory said...

nice stuff and pics! love this shot from the van :)

Debbiedoos said...

You are so good girl! I love love love this idea, they look so cute. Thanks for sharing with my newbie party.

Pati @ A Crafty Escape said...

I love these and I know my daughter would love to help me make them. My husband makes fun of me for saving toilet paper rolls but we use them for everything!

P.S. Come visit my blog for a chance to win 25 FREE Shutterfly Holiday Cards: http://acraftyescape.blogspot.com/2011/11/giveaway-shutterflys-2011-holiday-cards.html

Jaymie said...

Cute napkin rings! These would be fun to make with the kids. Thanks so much for sharing ...

Popped in from Under The Table and Dreaming ...

Anonymous said...

Love those - just right for fall and I cannot wait to see what you make. Thank you for taking the time to come and visit my Pinterest post - xoxo Bev

Andrea @Oasis Accents said...

Hi Christina! Those are some really neat-o projects!! Would love for you to come share those at our Sunday's Best party!

http://www.oasisaccents.com/sundays-best-link-party/

Grammy Goodwill said...

Those napkin rings are soooo cute. I love the detail on the leaves. That must be a great punch.

Boden said...

Thanks for linking up, Christina!

~Jen

The CSI Girl said...

I shared this on my blog FB page. I love these!!!
www.thecsiproject.com
Last week we had Thanksgiving project week and these would have been perfect, but always come and see what challenges we are having and enter. You have a great blog and I wish you the best.
I am following you now.

Hugs
Dee

Brit said...

Great pictures and love the napkin ring idea! Brilliant ;) We would love for you to link up with us tomorrow for our Help a Momma Out linky party! Hope to see you there ;)
Britney
www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

Nikki Monet said...

They came out beautifully!! Great idea! New follower here. Would love it you would stop by and share this at my linky party :) http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/bedazzle-me-monday-8.html

Also, PRETTY PLEASE check out Random Acts of Kindness Week going on right now!! Would love to see you be a part of it! http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/kindness-and-thanksgiving.html

Kelli said...

Super cheap recycling idea! Love it! Stop over and link up any Thanksgiving Crafts and Recipes at my new link up. I"d love to have you!

http://3boysandadog.com/deals/2011/thanksgiving-craft-and-recipe-link-up/

Thanks, Kelli

Sherika said...

What a wonderful idea!! Very creative!!

Michelle My Bell said...

WOW!!! Loved the tubes with the leaf place cards :)

Anita Diaz said...

Oh what a great idea for napkins rings...and one I will be copying for sure!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Sherry said...

It definitely can't get any easier than that! Your napkin rings are definitely creative and a great idea for this holiday approaching. Thanks for sharing. I'm a new follower, please drop by for a visit when you have a chance.

Carol, The Answer Is Chocolate said...

I love the natural simplicity of these. Really wonderful idea. I saw them over at the Project Queen link party.

Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon Designs said...

Just wanted to let you know we featured your napkin rings on our blog today! Thanks so much for linking up! We look forward to seeing more of your awesome projects!

Take care!

debbie--http://refreshrestyle.com/ said...

Love this recycling idea, it's so cute!
Debbie

Inspired By June said...

Love your cardboard leaves, Christina! These would look great paired with a bright crimson & gold or purple & gold table setting! Thanks for sharing!

laxsupermom said...

Love your rustic napkin rings! I love how the kids could help make these. Perfect project for their Wednesday off of school. It's nice how they double as placecard holders. Great pics! Thanks for sharing.

I'm hosting my monthly Before Blogging Throwback Thursdays Party and would love for you to drop by and share something you made / did / bought sometime Before Blogging. Can't wait to see what you bring to the party.

Katie said...

I'm loving the napkin rings!!!

Jennifer said...

Oh, I LOVE these!! Thank you for sharing! I featured you today in my Friday I'm In Love favorites!

http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2011/11/friday-im-in-love-and-special-reveal.html

- Jenn @ Social Salutations

d e l i g h t said...

You are so creative! I love the colorfulness and liveliness of your creations! It is great to use elements from nature and you have done it most beautifully! Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a wonderful weekend!

Jenny @ Simcoe Street said...

Such beautiful napkin rings!!

Jenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

PS i have a really fun throw pillow giveaway going on. Come on over and enter if you'd like! xo

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

I love the organic look of the napkin rings. I'll be back for the rest of the story.

Unknown said...

I love these napkin rings! Thanks for sharing them at What's In The Gunny Sack. I wanted to let you know that I am featuring them today. Come check it out: http://www.thegunnysack.com/2011/11/whats-in-gunny-sack-features_19.html

Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} said...

I love the napkin rings, Christina! What a cute and creative idea!
Thank you so much for linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week! I will feature you at the next party! :)
xoxo,
Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}

Emily said...

I just love the simplicity of this project, but it still have amazing results! Thanks for sharing! I featured it at Saw it {Loved it} Sunday over at my blog: www.mirrorsmetaphorsandkaleidoscopes.blogspot.com

Have a wonderful day!

Emily

Betsy @ Romance on a Dime said...

I LOVE the napkin rings!!! So cute and creative!

Betsy @ Romance on a Dime said...

I would love if you linked this up to my Take it on Tuesday blog hop!!

http://romanceonadime.com/take-it-on-tuesday/take-it-on-tuesday-blog-hop-burlap-banner-thanksgiving-table/

Craftberry Bush said...

Hey Christina...hope your weekend is off to a good start...thank you so much for sharing this post...there is so much to look at and enjoy so I appreciate you taking the time to link up ...talk to you soon...xo Lucy

Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers said...

These are too cute and something anyone can do. Such a great tip, I'm definitely pinning these :) Thanks so much for linking up to Happy Hour!

Unknown said...

So cute! I'm just popping over from a blog path, this is so much fun :)

Unknown said...

I really like these! They're so simple and rustic. They'd be perfect for a large thanksgiving dinner, because they're so thrifty.

Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily Farm Girl said...

Hi there! I just found you on DIY Dreamer. This is a great idea. I would LOVE for you to come link up to my Farm Girl Blog Fest: http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/10/farm-girl-blog-fest-6.html

Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily

Unknown said...

I LOVE those napkin rings - what a beautiful craft

Mel@Mellywood's Mansion said...

SImple and lovely, thanks for sharing stopping by fromsimple creations linky

Emily Thompson said...

what a great use for toilet paper rolls! They look great! I'm hosting a Thanksgiving party all month long (until Thanksgiving) and would love for you to come over and link it up! This is in addition to my normal Tasteful Tuesday party that runs every Tuesday. Thank you for taking the time to celebrate Thanksgiving and be THANKFUL for all our blessings. http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2012/10/pull-apart-pumpkin-maple-bread-and.html

Justine of SewCountryChick said...

What a crafting genius you are Christina! i must make these. We made some other toilet paper roll napkin holders at church but they were so unstylish compared to these!

Fonda @Southern Scraps said...

Love the napkin rings. Simple but elegant.

Miss Angie said...

Those are great! And they look so easy and cheap to make!

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

I have been looking for some simple to make, yet pretty napkin rings and these are perfect. Plus using recycled materials is so smart :-)

Shannon Barefoot said...

I have that same leaf punch! Your napkin rings turned out so cute :) I would love for you to share them at my link party going on right now:

http://sewingbarefoot.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-weekly-creative-7.html

Have a great week!
Shannon @ Sewing Barefoot

Unknown said...

I love those napkin rings!! Thank you so much for linking up at Project Inspire! Your project is featured in today's round-up! XOXO

Atta Girl Amy said...

So very nifty and thrifty. I love a great TP or paper towel roll craft.

Anonymous said...

I never knew TP rolls could look so elegant! This is ingenious. Pinning now!

-Lauren