Recycled: cardboard tubes

As in paper towel and toilet paper...don't toss them in the trash, turn them into nifty bracelets and wrist cuffs!

What you need:

*cardboard tubes from paper towel rolls, t.p. and/or gift wrap

*paint (acrylic or tempera)

*paint brushes

*scissors

*glue

*clothespins

*glitter

*ribbon

*scrap paper or magazine pages

*buttons, beads, fabric scraps, etc.

*mess friendly work area

scrumdilly-do it!

Set out your supplies and cut your tubes into wrist friendly sizes. If your kidlest are scissor happy, you may let them cut their own width but it can be a little frustrating. You want to cut up from the bottom of the tube 1-3 inches and then cut along the cylinder part of the tube so that you end up with a "C" shape piece.

Have your kidlets paint their pieces. You will need more than one coat for vibrant colors but your kidlets may decide to collage their pieces with fabric scraps and paper instead. If painting, use a clothespin to hold the two ends together to retain the curl of the tube. If not, the paint will make your piece go flat and you won't have a bracelet anymore.

Once the pieces are dry, your kidlets can go to town decorating them. They can glue ribbon, trim or lace around their bracelet or they can add ooddles of glue and glitter. There are no limits!

Once they are done, set aside to dry and then have cuff happy fashion show. Show us your bling!