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One birdie's attempt to figure things out. Oh, and crafts.

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Cardboard Tube Clip-On Shelf Labels

September 14, 2012 by Michele

There really is no need to…

… because I’m about to show you one of the simplest crafts to ever grace this blog. In fact, I’m fairly confident in asserting that it is probably one of the simplest crafts EVER in the history of ALL crafts. So don’t fret, no. Just sit back. Relax. Take a load off. This won’t take but a minute.

I give you the…

 

Let us begin.

All you need is love. And some form of cardboard tube. Like a toilet paper roll say, or a kitchen roll tube.

Ascertain how you’d like to label your shelves. I needed to be able to locate my painting and drawing supplies at a moment’s notice, so that’s what I chose to write on one of my tubes.

Now, take your tube. And now take your pencil.

Am I going too fast? Are you able to keep up with the sheer complexity of this craft? Good.

Now, write your chosen words in pencil on your chosen tube. I chose the words “painting & drawing”. Don’t be afraid to get VERY specific. Your children will thank you when you order them – or in my case, ask them nicely – to go to the “Painting and Drawing Shelf” to get the #47 red.

Trace around your words with a fine-tipped Sharpie.

Note: Sharpie is a very famous brand of marker here in North America. They are literally everywhere.

If you like, you can also add colour to your words with paint or colourful markers as below.

Alternatively, if you are down and out, you may decide to forego the labels entirely, and instead give yourself a lively boost with a few choice words of wisdom. “Be brave” or “Laugh” for example. As you know, it is essential to occasionally laugh or be brave. Sometimes both at once. So these tubular concoctions work perfectly to jog a sluggish memory.

Once you’re done with the words, flip the tube to the other side (or 180˚) and cut it lengthwise as below.

Finally, it is time to place your tube on the shelf edge. Gently pry open the back of the tube and clamp it in place. It will look like it is eating the shelf.  It isn’t of course. It’s only a card tube.

 

And now you will never forget where you put your stationery supplies. If you do, be brave and/or laugh. But don’t come crying to me.

Have a lovely weekend!

 

♥MCheck out another lovely toilet roll craft right HERE!

Filed Under: home and garden, home and garden, paper crafts, paper crafts, reuse, Tutorials Tagged With: crafts, organizing, recycling, toilet paper roll, TP roll craft, tutorial

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alessandra says

    September 14, 2012 at 11:11 am

    I adore the simplicity of this so clever diy!!!! Michele you are really great!!!
    Thank you for sharing,
    love, xoxo Alessandra

  2. nicolette at dutchcomfort says

    September 14, 2012 at 11:32 am

    You’ve made me smile with this simple but clever idea!!

    My shelves are behind doors (thank goodness for that), there’s enough clutter left on the floor, so I need to find a way to make lables to put on the doors without damaging them! Any… idea… ?

  3. Little Treasures says

    September 14, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Fabulous idea Michele!! I love it!

  4. Ludo braille says

    September 14, 2012 at 11:43 am

    Super idée !!!
    Nadia

  5. Jane says

    September 14, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    Such a clever idea!

  6. Giac says

    September 14, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Hi Michele,
    What a great idea…And I can uuse that to make reminder for my husband…
    Big hug,
    Giac

  7. liniecat says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    what great fun!!
    I must show your blog to the gals at the local scrapstore where they get shed loads of fabric and carpet rolls handed in to them for play scrap.
    So many of your ideas they could make up as samples to inspire members who go there.
    I love this idea and will try and find space on my shelf edges to fit them! My shelves seem festooned with stash right up to the edges though……..a sure sign I need to tidy up some lol
    Another fantastic idea thank you!

  8. bookkm says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    Have I told you recently that I think you are brilliant? No? Well, I think you are brilliant. There.

  9. Monika says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    The simplest ideas are often the best – this is such a great idea!
    One reason more not to throw away those toiletpaper rolls 🙂

  10. Mary says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Absolutely GREAT tutorial. The simpler the better, I love it. Could help me find something in my storage room!!Thanks

  11. Michelle L. says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Oh my sainted toilet paper roll! This is amazing and I love both the concept (genius) and the beautiful calligraphy you have done. So stylish and elegant, and so change-my-life useful. Thanks for a great one!

  12. Judy says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    Great idea! I hope I can handle this tedious project! Can you tell me one thing though? Do they stay put?

    • Michele Pacey says

      September 14, 2012 at 2:57 pm

      So far so good Judy. 🙂

  13. Agy says

    September 14, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    Oh this is such a great idea! Have you thought about making them waterproof so you can wipe them when they collect dust? I'm just wondering what will make them waterproof though.

    • Judy says

      September 14, 2012 at 5:26 pm

      You could always Mod Podge them so the surface is smooth. It would make it easier to dust them.

    • Destiny says

      April 1, 2013 at 2:08 am

      You could always wrap them in clear contact paper.

  14. Karen says

    September 14, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    What a great idea! You are a creative genius!

  15. Chocolates4Breakfast (TerriBoog) says

    September 14, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    What a clever idea!

  16. Poppyprint says

    September 14, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    But wait. There is a glaring design flaw! You assume there is a strip of vacant space on the front of my shelves to fit said easiest craft in the world. No so! Darnit. I'll have to fold everything smaller.

  17. CREATIVE MIND says

    September 14, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    Super smart dear Michele 🙂 you always share something more interesting than before 🙂

  18. Terri says

    September 14, 2012 at 7:00 pm

    U R a Genius! I love them!
    Hugs

  19. chris says

    September 14, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Again with the clever darling ideas! Sheesh…and look at your lettering. WEll done.

  20. Carin Wijnand says

    September 14, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    You are amazing… how do you do it… thanks needed this one for sure..

  21. Noreen says

    September 14, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    Hi Michelle, I think I can compete with you for simplest craft ever:

    http://craftyjournal.com/bug-scoop-for-the-squeamish/

  22. Noreen says

    September 14, 2012 at 11:05 pm

    And I neglected to say that I love your really simple idea for shelf labels!

  23. helen says

    September 15, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    That is The. Best. Idea. Ever!

  24. Melissa Kojima says

    September 15, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    How perfect! Simple, fun, stylish. Great, Michele!

  25. Amber @ The Cardboard Collective says

    September 16, 2012 at 8:07 am

    This idea is a perfect addition to all the organizing stuff I've been making for my kids out of cardboard! Thanks for taking my thinking about cardboard tubes in a new direction!

  26. Falafel and the Bee says

    September 17, 2012 at 2:39 am

    Brilliant! I have oodles of TP tubes that I am always looking for ways of using.
    Thanks!
    Do you mind if I pin this to Pinterest??
    Thanks!
    ~Michelle

  27. francesca r. says

    September 17, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    simple, great idea!!! 🙂

  28. Ariane says

    September 19, 2012 at 12:48 am

    These are so great!! Such a simple idea, but so impressive at the same time!! Love it!!!

  29. Kimberly from 'bugaboo' says

    September 19, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    How in the world did you get so brilliant? And can you teach me???

  30. Melissa says

    September 21, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Truly brilliant.

  31. PEACHES says

    September 21, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    How do you think of these things, you genius, you!!!

  32. Erin Fickert-Rowland says

    September 25, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    Just brilliant, Michele! Wow- I am going to start saving my paper tubes! You are such an inspiration to me to re-use and re-purpose things that we normally just toss out. Have you ever shared how you organize/store your recyclables for crafts? I'd love to know!

  33. bookkm says

    October 8, 2012 at 2:10 am

    I just re- read this post. Not only is this craft brilliant (see my comment above) BUT your writing style is so …. well, it is just so, um, what's that word? BRILLIANT!! Yep. That's it.

  34. Cathie says

    January 20, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    okay – why do I love these so much?? Because they are brilliant!!!

  35. holmesmp says

    February 5, 2013 at 10:07 am

    I love this. I'm busy getting our "homeschool room" done and was thinking of ways to label all the supplies and this is just perfect. Thank You. 🙂

  36. Jen Warriner says

    April 26, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    Are you kidding me? How easy is that? Why can't I think of ingenious things like that?

    Thanks for sharing!

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I am ecstatic if you choose to link to this site, use a brief description, one photo, or link back to any of my posts. Do not republish entire posts without my permission. Tutorials, patterns and printables are for your personal use only and are not to be used to make items for sale. Thank you.

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