Craft with Tin Cans

From Trash to Treasure: A Tin Can Craft Project 

Don't throw away those tin cans just yet! With this craft project, you can turn them into beautiful and functional pieces for your home.

Have you noticed that here lately, there have been some really different projects?  No?  Well, then you have missed out!  Check out how to make a bag from paper, our faux chocolate Easter bunnies, Cardboard Recycling, or how we made flowers from tulle.  

I have recently been saving cans from when I make dinner, the pile on the counter was kind of getting distracting.  You see, if I put them away, then they are out of sight and out of mind so then they just become something that collects more dust around here.  So I leave them on the counter so I will make myself get busy on creating something new.  What can I say?  I need reminders.

I love the taller cans, like when I purchase those large cans of kidney beans, good recipe, I am telling you, check it out!  I went to the basement to take stock of what I had and decided I fancied the napkins below from Dollar Tree.  Yep, $1.25 for a pack of 14 napkins.  Have you noticed decorative napkins are expensive lately?  If not, take it from me, they are!  

I knew something crafty was a cookin' up in the basement when I put the can on top of that pack of napkins, keep reading to see what I did with these items, and how wonderful a tin can can look.

I will preface with that I clean out my cans and then I run them through the dishwasher too.  I try to make sure that I do not have any straggler tin pieces when I remove the lid, that hurts when you get your skin caught on it so make sure you have a nice clean top of the can before you get started.

 

I pulled out my Mod Podge, used my fingers, and got to work applying the napkin to our can.  Yes, I used my fingers so there were not many in process photos because my hands were a mess, but it took me back to elementary school crafts that is for sure.  Hey, we need to let loose that inner child every now and then, right?

How to: Craft with Tin Cans

1. Begin with a clean tin can, being sure the lid was removed cleanly.
2. I separated the two ply napkin by blowing on the edge of the napkin to create a pocket, and then began peeling the front from the back of the napkin.  
3. I scooped the Mod Podge out with a wood skewer (use what you have), applied it to the can, and began smearing it all over the can, then patted down the napkin.  
4. Once I had the napkin adhering to the can, I then put Mod Podge over the napkin to protect the one-ply napkin and protect our work.  
5. Next I added twine to the top by looping it around the top of the can several times and added a bow.
6. Then I decided I was not happy with this look so see how she turned out a little further down.

 

I placed some of my paint brushes inside the can and thought ok, now I have a place for my paint brushes... only that just wasn't hitting the sweet spot for me.  I walked around my home searching for the perfect place for this tin can and began thinking of it in a new light.  I had that eureka moment when I was standing in our bathroom and got right to work in making this idea come to life.  

I removed the twine and bow, and replaced it with pink ribbon around the top of the can, and then created a bow and hot glued the bow to our can.  Much better, don't you think?  I thought so.  

I placed it inside my chippy lantern I picked up many years ago from a barn sale.  Whewee... that thing was a mess when I brought it home, some may have thought it should have been slated for the trash pile, but I cleaned it right up.  

This lantern has been in many places in our home, but has recently seemed to find a home in our bathroom on top of our cabinet.  She looks a little worse for the wear, but I like her perfectly imperfect as she is.  

I filled up our new vase with white tulips, kept my string of pearls inside the lantern, added a rose, and then a tissue paper flower and said wow, I like-y.  Isn't it amazing what you can do with a bit of imagination and items that typically end up in the trash?

Do you think you will decide to save cans from the trash now and see what you can create with a little bit of imagination?  I sure hope so!  Share your craftiness with us for a chance to be featured here on Vintage Style Gal.  

I created this coloring page for those of you who may need a little less stress, I know I find coloring helps me.  If you could, please let me know if this is something you may be interested in in the future.  Thank you!

Ciao, 

Cara

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