Approximate Time: 2-3 hours.
Cut small scraps of fabric into two inch squares and fold into a triangle shape. Press the triangles and allow to cool.
Decide on a pattern in which to arrange your triangles. Carefully start in the center of the design and begin in a clockwise pattern to begin gluing the fabrics into place.
Overlap each layer of fabrics and finish the design with as many shades and patterns of fabric as necessary to completely cover the top of the tin. Use miscellaneous fabric of your choice to cover the bottom of the tin.
I find that tacky glue works better to glue the fabric to the tin, but the embellishments go on fairly well with a hot glue gun.
Weight the layers of glued fabric pieces as you go, as to ensure they don't slide off. As each layer dries, or is more stable, add another layer of scraps until the project is completed.
I have done many tins like this. They make nice storage containers for buttons, jewelry, etc.
By Monica from Cortez, CO
This is a tuna can covered with a quilted fabric remnant and some left over cross-stitch mini squares, and a cardboard cloth covered lid.
Approximate Time: 60 minutes
Trace around the bottom of the tuna can, making a pattern for the lid. You'll cut one piece of cardboard that size for the lid and two pieces of cardboard for the bottom. Each piece for the bottom will hide the glued fabric edges to finish the project.
Cover the three cardboard pieces with tacky glue covered pre-quilted fabric. Make sure to cut your fabric large enough so it will cover one side of the cardboard. Carefully clip edges and fold down, gluing as you go. Hold with clothespins and allow to dry. Repeat for the inside cover for the bottom and the lid.
For the inside of the can, cut a piece of the pre-quilted fabric 5 inches wide and 12 inches long. This will be glued on to the side of the can and clipped slightly so you can glue part of it to the bottom to partially cover it. Don't worry, the inside cardboard piece will cover the clipped part when it's dry. Use clothes pins to keep it from sliding off the can.
When dry, glue the inside bottom piece in, then add the outside bottom piece to cover the bottom of the can to cover the clipped edges.
When dry, use tacky glue to add the tiny cross-stitched embellishments on the outside of the quilted fabric. Glue the small wooden bead to the lid and add to the tuna can.
I made several of these one year as last minute gifts. Instead of cross-stitched embellishments, you can add anything you might like to embellish it with.
By Monica from Cortez, CO
This big mouthed little frog is a great place to store your eyeglasses, iPod, or phone. It is a fun craft for kids to make or as a silly gift for a friend. He is sure to make you smile wherever he is.Approximate Time: An afternoon.
By Monica from Cortez, CO
We use lots of extra large sized tin cans of cheese and green beans. We put them in the refrigerator, and cover them with a margarine lid. I used them for many things around the house. I gave my daughter one to make a project, since she crafts with duct tape a lot.
Approximate Time: 15 minutes
By Robyn Fed from Tri-Cities, TN
One day I was looking at a large empty can of tomatoes that I was ready to throw in the recycling bin then for one reason or another I decided to paint it. This led to me making a hanging planter for a friend who I was giving a plant to from cuttings. Here's how to do it!
You'll need:
Clean out the can and remove the label. Sometimes there can be some of that glue left that is tough to get out, I use something called "Goo be gone" but someone told me rubbing alcohol has done the trick too though I haven't tried it. Dry can and paint the outside, either just one colour or use one base colour and you can paint things like flowers, rainbows and anything else you can think of on there. Make sure the base coat is about 3-4 coats if possible and dry can between each coat. It won't look perfect but thats ok because it will be original! If you have varnish you can coat the can too.
With a hammer and nail, poke three holes around the top ridge of the can, with each hole being the same distance apart as other holes or else the plant won't hang right. Cut three pieces of cord, all the same size (whatever length you choose). Tie one cord to each hole with a few knots so it's secured well. Bring the loose cords together and tie them together with a big knot. Then a bit higher close to the top, make another knot. Now you have a secured hole to hang the plant. Decorate with stickers,glitter or anything else you have on hand. Put a nice small plant in there (make sure it is already in it's own container, the hanging planter is just for decoration.
This would be a great craft for kids/parents to do together!
By Lisa from Halifax, NS
I decorate the tin cans by buying pretty Christmas fabric (get several different kinds, usually at Wal-mart). Cut out the decorations and glue on the cans. Then I put a coat of Mod Podge over it and cover well. I make candy and cookies and put in the containers. I make "lids" out of circles of matching fabric and tie a colored ribbon around the can. They make really neat gifts!
By Nora
These cute and inexpensive tin can decorations are perfect for a country themed wedding. Just clean ordinary tin cans and hot glue a square of styrofoam into the bottom, adding whatever silk flowers you choose. Wrap a length of ribbon of choice around the outside and hot glue overlapping ends, tie raffia around the lower part of can and make a bow with long tales. Take a length of ribbon and hot glue end to the back of one can and the other end to the back of the other can for your hanger.
By Robin from Clyattville, GA
Use extra large vegetable cans.Tape them all together, and either decorate as you like or leave it as it is. I will probably use contact paper later, but I like the recycled look. I did one like this in Girl Scouts many years ago. I have many of these as flower vases, but I ran out of space on my stairs for flowers so I made this one today.
Blessings.
By Robyn Fed from Tri-Cities, TN
Don't throw out those soup, vegetable, and fruit tin cans. You can use them to recycle into wonderful crafts.
You can make pencil holders. Just cover with fabric and ribbon with a hot glue gun.
Fill a clean can with water, and put it in freezer until it is frozen solid. Remove from freezer, and use a hammer and nail to tap holes through can to make patterns such as a heart, cross, etc. Make a hole on each side at top and thread a thin wire through to use as a handle. Melt ice, throw in a votive candle, and you have a instant illuminated candle holder. Great for porches or walk ways.
You can use the larger cans for the base of a wind sock. Just cover the can with ribbon using a hot glue gun. Make a handle by gluing a piece of ribbon on both sides. Next cut strips of ribbon off at same lengths. Glue these on the inside of can so they flow down. Hang from porch, and let the breeze do the rest!
By SinnerSavedByGrace from Shelbyville, IN
Looking for directions on how to make animals about drinking cans.
Editor's Note: I am not sure if this poster is referring to aluminum cans or tin cans. Feel free to elaborate on this if this is your request.
By Racing against thimerosol
10/30/2004
I found some sites about tin can crafts, I am not sure if this is what you are looking for but it is interesting, nonetheless!
http://www.craftygal.com/archives/september/table0900.htm
My sister-in-law received, as a gift from one of her students, a Tin Man Birdfeeder made of used Tin cans. I would like to have instructions of how to make some.
Thanks,
Laurie from Whitman County
I am going to use most of these for a bookshelf, but I would love to hear anyone else's ideas on how to use these as crafts. I have made a huge umbrella holder out of some of them, and now I have tons of them I am not using. I have them stacked as a pyramid against the porch railing, which is nice, but I would like to do craft work with them.
Thanks for any replies, I know you are all busy, as I am myself, lately!
By Robyn Fed from Tri-Cities, TN
I am looking for instructions for making a tin man bird feeder. Does anyone have a pattern or instructions?
By S.C
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I'm looking for patterns and instructions for tin can crafts. My mother use to make mini furniture out of tin cans, also people (like robots) and all sorts of things. Of course, as a kid, I didn't pay any attention on how she did it. I do know that she would cut the cans in strips and then curled them. They looked like wrought iron furniture. Please help. Thanks in advance.
Jodi from Yukon, OK
By MCW
By PICO
http://www.crafty-moms.com/tin-can-luminary.shtml
Go to the link above and check out the Tin Can Luminaries that I plan to make for Christmas gifts with full instructions. Linda (10/19/2007)
By quickcooker
By Lynda
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Do you have a tip, recipe or craft to share?
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