Friday

Cardboard Yes, Expensive No

I am absolutely positively head over heels for family trees.I think they are a great way to add some meaning to your decor. The best part is that there are so many ways to make one on the cheap. So when I got my Bed Bath and Beyond ad in the mail the other day and saw this: 

Wallverbs Family Tree 11-piece Fames and Plaque Set  

Drooling began.

I was ready to take my 20% off coupon and head to the store when reality sank in. $40? Coupon or not coupon it's not gonna happen. At first, I asked my hubby if he would cut some shapes like these out if I drew them for him. He said he would! Then again he has been promising to build me a strawberry planter for over a year now, which turned out to be a good thing because now I have decided to make one out of recycled tires instead! Like the strawberry planter, with a little time, I can come up with a million ways to make something for free. 

So I was browsing around blog land at Funky Junk Interiors last linky party when I saw this: 

DIY Toilet Paper Roll Wall Art from Bon Temps Beignet

The wheels started turning my friends! I already have like a million little black frames. I already had a large stash of toilet paper rolls...uh, huh, yeah, that's right. I have totally got this! Out came the paintbrush and the toilet paper roll stash!


I started by cutting my toilet paper rolls into little sections, nothing scientific, I just eyeballed it. I also cut out a few branches from paper towel rolls.

I tried painting one whole, believe me it's easier to paint each little section.
I watered down my paint a little and painted the inside and outsides black. They got a little soggy but they stiffened back up as they dried.

See why I don't bother trying to make this table look pretty?
When they were dry I took them to my wall and hung them up using sticky tack.



I LOVE it. Eventually, I'll actually get some pictures taken of the whole family, not just the girls. 


The total cost of this project was 1/4 of a bottle of paint, so about 50 cents. Gotta love that!

I linked to





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89 comments:

  1. The Roaming Rolfe'sMarch 25, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    Cute! What did you use for the branches??? I like it! Way to be creative!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 16, 2024 at 8:36 PM

      She said she used paper towel rolls for the branches, I believe.

      Delete
  2. ladyfidMarch 25, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    How did you attach them to the wall?

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMarch 25, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    The branches are made from paper towel rolls and I attached everything with sticky tack. Well, not the frames of course. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. CherylMarch 25, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    I might have to steal this idea, this is awesome! I wonder though if sticky tack would work well on textured wall, or if I would be better off just painting the whole thing?

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownMarch 25, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    My wall is textured and I had no problem getting it to stick.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Funky Junk InteriorsMarch 25, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    So fabulous! I'm utterly amazed you came up with something so lovely from so little! I shared this on FJI Facebook this weekend. :)

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Funky-Junk-Interiors/175378011140#!/photo.php?fbid=10150167943191141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&theater

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownMarch 25, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Thanks! I am SO flattered!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ballyhoo GirlMarch 26, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    How ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!! By the way....I found this because of FJI's post...Now I'll be passing it around on my little Blog..LOVE it, it's very clever!

    Chrissy

    ReplyDelete
  9. foreverdecoratingMarch 26, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    This is really turning trash into a treasure and your wall looks just fab.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownMarch 26, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    Seriously cute. You did a great job. FJI sent me your way!

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownMarch 26, 2011 at 4:04 AM

    totally cool love it shall have to try this

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kim @ Starshine ChicMarch 26, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Fabulous!!! Why can't I think of things like this? But I may have to copy.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMarch 27, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Thanks everyone!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. TriciaMarch 31, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Oh my gosh!!! YOU ARE BRILLIANT!!! I was going to buy the same thing~BUT....now I think Im going to use your idea!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tyler-Ashlee's MommyApril 1, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    Wow! This is amazing!! It's so pretty and wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kelly @livingcraftilyeverafterApril 1, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    Saw this on Someday Crafts and I LOVE it!!! What an awesome job! I may have to steal this idea!!!!

    Kelly

    livingcraftilyeverafter.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    This is gorgeous. I am in love! Wish I had a wall to do this on at my house! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button.

    ReplyDelete
  18. EmilyApril 1, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    Found this on Knock Off Decor and LOVE it! Can't wait to steal the idea. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    That is sooo awesome. Love it. Will have to try it.
    Brooke

    ReplyDelete
  20. ChrisApril 1, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    This is so stinkin' cute! I am a new follower. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. ChelseaApril 1, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Wow! I love it! You're amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  22. MeApril 1, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    That is amazing! My husband and I are also in love with the BB&B family tree!

    ReplyDelete
  23. liz @ bon temps beignetApril 1, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Ahhh, I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! I'm so glad my TP art (partially) inspired your family tree. It's seriously beautiful. Such a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  24. liz @ bon temps beignetApril 1, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Hope you don't mind, I wrote up a little post about your family tree...

    http://bontempsbeignet.blogspot.com/2011/04/90-inspiration-10-toilet-paper-rolls.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. RachelApril 1, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    ok this is AMAZING girl! Like WOW! I have been wanting to make something that I can feature my family with and I love family trees but $$$$ is so tight right now. Thank you for this incredible idea. I think I will start on mine tonight! I feel so inspired! I am your newest follower! Your hubby has to be soooo IMPRESSED!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Style, Decor & MoreApril 2, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    I'm writing a post. I have to share this with my readers! You are amazing and an inspiration!

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Myrna FosterApril 2, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    I love this. You have another new follower. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  28. zumranaApril 5, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    Wonderfull. Love it.
    I wanted to share your idea in my blog too.

    ReplyDelete
  29. ElizabethApril 5, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    this turned out fabulous! love love love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousApril 10, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    What a wonderful idea! I was going to fork out the cash at Bed & bath, but now I'm going to save money & have a fun project to boot. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  31. ~Iffy~ @ StayAtHomeNationApril 15, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Look at how adorable this turned out!! I have seen the tp frames & wall decor before but nothing I liked and then I came across your blog and voila! It is exactly what I was looking for! I am new to crafting/blogging but am going to try this & gotta love the cost ;) Do you mind if I link to your post when I get around to trying these? How many tp rolls did it take you & where can I buy sticky tack? Does it remove easily from the walls? Thanks so much! Love your blog!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownApril 21, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Thank you so much! It only took like 5 tp rolls and 2 paper towel rolls. Sticky tack can be found just bout anywhere in the office section or where you find poster board. It comes off super easy and doesn't leave any marks. I would be flattered if you link to my post!

    ReplyDelete
  33. MsCrispyMay 1, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    You are so inventive. I love the no dime concept, fits perfectly into my budget. I love what you can come up with.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Korry.Taffee.Jaci.MiloMay 10, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    I love ths family tree & i just made it today... THANK U. THANK U. THANK U. for the cool ideas:D

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnknownJuly 14, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    I loved the beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  36. RoxiJuly 23, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    No Dime Design, you are an inspiration for me! Your designs reached Romania, too. I'm in the middle of this project and I'm super excited. God bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Ann MartinSeptember 19, 2011 at 4:33 AM

    Hi, I featured your family tree on my blog, All Things Paper, today. Lovely work!

    ReplyDelete
  38. TonnieceSeptember 20, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    found you on http://www.allthingspaper.net/ today and love your idea, very inventive. Totally love the $$$$$ aspect too.
    TFS

    Tonniece

    ReplyDelete
  39. UnknownSeptember 20, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Thanks All Things Paper for featuring me! Tanks to everyone visiting from her site too!

    ReplyDelete
  40. ProudTejanaSeptember 23, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    This is so awesome! found you through All Things Paper (subscribed to your posts now RSS). cant wait to try this - great way to recycle.

    ReplyDelete
  41. craft boulevardSeptember 24, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Hi! i got here through all things paper; i love what you've done! i've been wanting to do this (a vague idea in my head) for a long time!! Your work is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  42. UnknownOctober 25, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    I love this!! I found your blog through the Iron Crafter's challenge.. I entered my project as well-- hope you'll check it out!

    -Bonnie @ Revolutionaries
    http://bonniegetchell.blogspot.com/2011/10/project-for-fall.html

    ReplyDelete
  43. KarenOctober 25, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    What a fabulous looking wall! Great Job:)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Shelly @Crafty Creative StudioOctober 26, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    I popped over from FF&J's. This is a fantastic creation!!! Can't you tell by all of the people vising you? I really turned out well, love it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. UnknownOctober 26, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Thanks for visiting everyone from FF&J!

    ReplyDelete
  46. CatherineOctober 27, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    I like yours even better than the inspiration! I *never* would have guessed that you used tp rolls. :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Ela @ Scrapidoodlelicious.blogspot.comNovember 1, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Great project! I voted for you in Fireflies and Jellybeans. I am a new follower too. Hope you can visit my blog and follow along too.

    ReplyDelete
  48. UnknownNovember 1, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Thanks everyone! It's great to meet new people through thrifty crafts :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. DarleneDecember 2, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    Megan,
    For six months I have been looking for The Perfect Thing genealogy oriented to put on the bare sofa wall in my new apartment. The BB&B catalog came last week and I fell in love with the layout but for $40 it wasn't going to happen. I found Knock Off Decor today when I googled wallverbs family tree. I like yours even better. Creative, you did it yourself and it's more personalized. Thank you for sharing!
    Do you have a template for the tree limbs?

    ReplyDelete
  50. UnknownDecember 3, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    I am glad you liked it. I do not have a template for the arms. They would probably look different for each project as to look proportionate to you frames though any way. I cut a bunch of different ones and then just used the ones that I thought looked best.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Shelli925January 4, 2012 at 6:50 AM

    ABSOLUTELY LOVE this!! I was looking on Pinterest for ways to decorate my house really cheaply. I am not a decorator so I have never really tried but I am definately going to start with ths poject!! Thanks for sharing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Wona ChennaultJanuary 4, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    I got a wonderful family frame for Christmas and when I saw this I knew what I had to do with it. Mine will start in the center with my great grandparents and my grandparents and with branch out to my grandbabies...I so love this idea and also that you were caring a giving enough to share all the little details of how you did it...because I had already been to Wal-Mart looking for black vinyl...but love that I didn't find it but when I got back here and read down how you did it...love that too...this is just too stinking good...Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  53. My Experiments with LifeFebruary 1, 2012 at 11:40 AM

    Thanks for the inspiration. I had got a 10 piece frame set as a gift and it fit so perfectly with 4 5X7 and 3 4X6 frames. My husband has 3 brothers - so fir the 4 of the brother families in 4 frames. 3 $X6 fit me and my 2 brothers' families. Center 8X10 held us with both the parents :) 2 wallets included childhood photos of me and my husband. This all made into a beautiful tree using this idea. Thank you so much..

    ReplyDelete
  54. Maria MaciasMarch 17, 2012 at 11:10 PM

    Could you please email me the template for the branches? I would love to make something like this on my wall. I love your idea. It is beautiful. Thanks so much. emaciaz@sbcglobal.net

    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  55. UnknownMarch 23, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    Sorry, there is not a template.

    ReplyDelete
  56. SCaniteApril 3, 2012 at 11:29 AM

    How exactly do you do the branches? I love this but am a little confused...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 4, 2012 at 12:59 AM

      I just cut out two branch shapes out of a paper towel roll. When you paint it the piece will get soggy and lay more flat as it dries but with a little curve to it, giving it a more 3d look. Of course you can manipulate it so it does what you want.

      Delete
  57. UnknownJune 26, 2012 at 7:29 AM

    I have a completely obsessive compulsive question. How do you plan to dust it? Did you seal it with something? I've thought of doing something like this but wondered how to keep it clean.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 26, 2012 at 3:50 PM

      Ha Ha! You know, I would never have thought of that. It was right under my vent and when I took it down about 6 months later there wasn't hardly any dust build up. I was was going to do it I would say to use something light, like one of those disposable swiffer dusters.

      Delete
    2. Mrs.SmithJuly 26, 2012 at 7:32 AM

      Why did you take it down?

      Delete
    3. UnknownJuly 29, 2012 at 11:30 PM

      I was ready for a change. I don't have a mantle to decorate seasonally and this little area is the perfect substitute for that. It never looks the same for long!

      Delete
  58. Mrs.SmithJuly 26, 2012 at 12:23 AM

    I am SO sad this would never work in Hawaii, where we live. (especially the part about the sticky-tack. And the part about the soggy painted cardboard. Minor details.)
    MAN! Any ideas for how I could make this work in 80% humidity? :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJuly 29, 2012 at 11:43 PM

      We have high humidity here too. With the fish tank and the turtle tank, if I don't have my fan running, it's not unheard of to reach 70% humidity in my house. If you need them to dry faster you could use a fan over them or maybe color them with a permanent marker. As for sticking them on the wall, I've heard of people attaching them with sewing pins.

      Delete
  59. AnonymousNovember 26, 2012 at 5:10 AM

    You go girl!!9

    ReplyDelete
  60. JenMarch 29, 2013 at 9:14 PM

    Very creative! Thanks for the great ideas. These are awesome and perfect for the kids! This is a very resourceful way to do a family tree wall art. We did a toilet paper roll snake project out of the same materials you used. You should check it out!

    http://earlylearning.momtrusted.com/2013/03/year-of-the-snake

    ReplyDelete
  61. Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty BlogJune 25, 2013 at 7:34 PM

    This turned out really cute!

    Helen
    Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
    Exercise Encouragement Group Blog

    ReplyDelete
  62. DKNovember 12, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    I am planning to do this for my home as well. It wud be great if you could tell me what kind of sticky tack u used to stick it to the wall. I am using Scotch removable clear mounting squares - http://www.thesupplytree.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MMM859&ga1=bg1&gclid=CKTp7qPg4LoCFe1xQgodcwsAgw and those things still keep coming out :( :(. Mine is a textured wall and it wud be great if you could share how you stuck it to the wall. Thank you so so much. Wud greatly appreciate your reply

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 27, 2013 at 7:02 AM

      It's just regular white/grey sticky tack. I rolled it up into tiny balls and spaced the balls out around the edges. I hope that helps!

      Delete
  63. AnonymousNovember 27, 2013 at 6:45 AM

    Hello,

    great idea! Do you sell DIY-photos??? We are a german deco-magazine and are interested to buy this photo for our next issue.
    Greetings
    Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  64. UnknownApril 10, 2014 at 1:20 PM

    This is a fantastic idea I love the fact that you reused an item that most people would just throw away.

    ReplyDelete
  65. UnknownMarch 2, 2015 at 4:27 PM

    Love it!! Doing this this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  66. PiliNovember 25, 2015 at 9:54 AM

    Hi! I did a round up about crafts with toilet paper rolls and yours was great so I thought it would be great to include it, I hope this is ok for you. I provided your link and give credit to your site, here's the post in case you want to check it: http://sweethings.net/15-different-uses-for-toilet-paper-rolls/
    Hugs,
    Pili

    ReplyDelete
  67. Vanusa LopesJuly 28, 2016 at 10:29 AM

    Perfect!!! DYI branches please!

    ReplyDelete
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