Toilet paper roll oven and washing machine

Forever flattening toilet paper rolls, that's me! It's really quick and easy to do once you've got the hang of it, and this simple technique opens up no end of possibilities.. 

Like these sweet little kitchen appliances.

You will need:

Toilet paper tubes

egg carton (for the washing machine)

Scissors

Craft glue

Paint

Black marker or gel pen

Metallic pens (optional)

Flatten the toilet paper roll with your hand and press firmly along the creases (1) 

Then lift the tube and line up these two creases, in the middle (2), 

and once you're happy, flatten the tube again, pressing along the two new side creases (3). 

There should now be four, hopefully evenly spaced creased lines around the tube. While it's still flat, draw a line across the card about halfway up (or higher up if you want a taller oven or washing machine). Join with a line on the other side too (doesn't need to be perfect as only for guidance).

 

For the washing machine, squeeze back into its new square shape and cut down the four corners to the pencil line. Bend and fold the four flaps outwards, creasing them along the line (1)

Snip two opposite flaps, leaving about 1cm/1/2in. (2)

Fold and crease these two short flaps inwards, and remove one of the other flaps completely, but cutting along the crease. (3)

Bend the remaining flap forward, over the opening, and crease it where it meets the opposite side. Press firmly along this crease. (4)

 

Snip the corners off the end, so it's easier to slot into the back of your box shape. Check it fits, press firmly along all your creased lines again.

Paint now if you want, and once it's dry, either decorate it as it is, or you might prefer to undo the top tab again, and work on it flat. This would be an easier option for little ones.

For the door of your washer, cut out an egg carton cup and cut around the very top part, keep it really short - you don't want the door to stick out too far.

Put a piece of old modelling clay underneath and press something sharp like nail scissors through the card. Cut out a circle. Place the egg carton part where you want it to go on your toilet paper roll washing machine, and draw around the circle lightly with a pencil. Colour inside the line with a black marker pen. 

For a quicker, easier option, don't cut a hole in the egg carton cup, just draw a black circle in the middle instead.

Draw on some knobs and dials, and glue the egg carton door in place.

We added a few little socks cut out of spare card - notice they're all odd.. Don't know about you but I have the biggest pile of single socks! Why is that??

 

For the oven start exactly the same way by cutting down the four corners to the pencil line, but this time only bend and fold three flaps outwards, creasing along the pencil line. Cut the one you've left, leaving about 1cm/1/2in. and snip the same amount off the two flaps either side (1).

Fold and crease these two short side flaps inwards (2)

Bring the remaining long flap forward, over the opening  - fold the card back and make a crease where it meets the back (3)

Snip the corners off this tab end (like the pic above for the washing machine) and slot it into place (4).

Press along all your creases again.

Paint now if you want.

Once the paint's dry either decorate as it is, or un-slot the tab and flatten, so it's easier to draw on.

Use a black marker or gel pen - metallic pens are great too!