How to Make a Rose From a Cardboard Tube | Recycled Toilet Paper Roll

You Will Need:

• Empty toilet paper rolls (Two rolls per rose)
• Scissors 
• Circle shapes to trace (I used two different sized glasses)
• Pencil
• Paint
• Wooden skewers for stems
• Hot glue gun and glue

Step 1: Cut Toilet Paper Rolls

I collected several empty toilet paper rolls and used a pair of scissors to cut them open in the center then folded in half. You will need two rolls for each rose you want to make.

Step 2: Trace Circles on Cardboard

I traced a small circle on one folded toilet paper roll and one large circle on a second unfolded flat roll for each rose I wanted to make. The folded roll will produce two cut circles in the next step and the unfolded will create one large circle.

Step 3: Cut Circles

I used scissors to cut along the traced edge and cut out my three circles. If you are making several roses, trace and cut them all at the same time. 

Step 4: Make Holes in Center of Circles

I used one end of a pair of scissors to create a small hole in the center of each cardboard circle. It only needs to be large enough for a barbeque skewer to fit through the opening.

Step 5: Draw Petals

I used a pencil to draw lines from the center of the circle to the edges creating what looked like six equal slices of pizza. The slices become petals when they are cut in the next step.

Step 6: Make Cuts in Petals

I used scissors to cut halfway down each line, being careful not to cut any petals completely off. This slight separation in the petals will allow for them to be folded and shaped.

Step 7: Round Petal Edges

I used scissors to gently snip each petal cut in the previous step at the corners to round them into the shape of a rose petal.

Step 8: Bend Petals Inward

I bent the ends of each petal inward slightly at the ends. Fold each of your petals up on the end.

Step 9: Insert Stick for Stem

I inserted a barbeque skewer like the kind used for kabobs into the center hole of my cardboard circles. I added a small drop of hot glue at the base in the center to keep the cardboard disc in place on the stick stem.

Step 10: Glue Flower Petals Into Rose Shape

I placed a bead of hot glue in each upturned petal and folded them up more, attaching the glued surface to the stick and then to the other petals around in a circle. Once I created the inner flower body, I repeated the same process with the second cardboard circle but rather than fold the petals in tightly, I left this layer slightly more open.

Step 11: Add Outer Layer

I added the third, outer layer to the flower and created the flower exterior. You want this outer shell of the flower to be less tightly folded in and to create a soft look. Add dots of glue and gently bend the petals into shape.

Step 12: Paint Roses

After I finished the construction of the rose shapes, I painted them in shades of pink, red, and yellow. I used a paintbrush to lightly coat the three roses. After letting them dry a bit, I added darker shades of the same color into the center and on the edges of the petals for a realistic look. Try to create a shadow with the darker shade of paint. The cardboard soaks up the paint but be careful not to paint too heavily and weigh the material down.

Step 13: Paint Stems

I applied green paint to the skewers to make them look like the stems. After your roses have dried, place the stem over a sheet of paper and holding the flower, paint the entire stem green.

Step 14: Create Leaves

I traced and cut leaves out of one of the cut pieces of an empty toilet paper roll. After cutting about four leaves per rose, I spread them flat on a sheet of paper and painted them the same green as the stems. Once the leaves dry, bend them slightly to give them the look of a natural leaf.

Step 15: Attach Leaves to Roses

I used a dab of hot glue on the underside of the roses to attach my leaves. Space them naturally around the rose, using 3-4.

Step 16: Display in Vase or Pitcher

I added some fern leaves to a vase and arranged my cardboard roses around it for a beautiful, natural look. I placed them in a display on my bookshelf in the den.

Empty toilet paper rolls are definitely NOT just for preschool art DIY projects! I created realistic, gorgeous, hand-painted roses from empty toilet paper rolls, paint, and hot glue. Even though this would be a really fun project to do with the kids, it creates a style that looks great in even the most grown-up areas of your home. Think twice before throwing out those empty toilet paper rolls; grab some paint and get busy making your own roses!

Have you used empty toilet paper rolls to make flowers or any other gorgeous home decor? Share your project ideas and get inspired by DIY creations like this one on Hometalk!