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Altered Paint Cans
by Cricket RawlinsStamping Deck Crewmember
Who would have thought that you would be able to find a great gift packaging idea right at your local home improvement store? Certainly not me, but it's true. I'm not talking about some cute gift bag or even a box; I'm talking about empty paint cans! You can purchase empty paint cans in a variety of sizes at your local hardware or home improvement store and then alter them so that they now become unique gifts. This month I will explain to you just how easy and fun it is to alter paint cans.
The first thing you need is your empty paint can. Do not use a paint can that has been previously filled with paint but rather purchase an empty paint can from your local store. At this same time you can purchase a paint can opener, which as you will see, will be included with the can so the recipient can open his or her gift! Next you will need to think of your "theme" for the can, it could be a Happy Birthday can, a movie night can, a stamping or scrapbooking can, really anything you decide. Then after you've decided on your theme, pick some papers, stamps, stickers or other embellishments to help alter it, and you are ready to begin.
The first step is to measure the can. Measure the height and then the circumference. I'll use a gallon paint can for my first example with measurements to correspond. You will want to cut two strips of paper 10 ½ inches long by 7 3/8 inches wide. Now you will want to cut the holes for the handle of the paint can. Measure down about 1 inch from the top of paper, and using a 1 inch circle punch you can now punch out a half circle. Do this on both ends of the paper, and this will now give you space for the handle when adhering the papers to the can. The next step is to attach the paper to the can. Make sure your can is clean of debris. I sprayed my paper with a spray adhesive and attached them to the can, smoothing out the paper as I went to avoid wrinkles or bubbles. To cut a piece of matching or coordinating paper for the lid I simply used my circle cutter and cut out a circle measuring 5 ½ inches. Using the same spray adhesive I attached this to the lid of my paint can. Now for the fun part, decorating the can! There are such a variety of embellishments available that it really is up to you how you would like your can to look, depending on theme and size.
For my first example I chose a garden theme. I found some pretty floral paper at my local scrapbook store and used it to cover my paint can. I then matched some cardstock and acrylic paints to some of the colors in the floral patterned paper. I used the acrylic paints and my foam alphabet stamps to stamp out the word "bloom" on my cardstock and then cut each letter individually into a square, which I then attached to the front of my can. Adding some real pressed flower stickers, matching buttons and some sheer ribbon helped tie it all together. I can now fill my garden can with some garden gloves, gardening tools and some seed packets to make a nice gift for a friend with a green thumb. For the final touch, I used some of the same sheer ribbon to tie a paint can opener to the handle so that whoever I give this can to will be able to open it.
I also found some smaller size paint cans at my local Container Store. These small cans are just the right size for thank you gifts, hostess gifts or party favors. Since these cans do not have handles you will not need to punch out circles from the ends of your papers. Use the same directions as for the large paint but adjust your measurements for size and height.
My next example uses a pint sized paint can and I've altered it to be given to a chocoholic on my list! Chocolate themed papers, cocoa colored ribbons, buttons and fibers as well as using a stamp with a chocolate phrase helped me create this can and will be given to a friend of mine as a thank you for something nice she did for me.
Finally, I found at the same Container Store a cute mini can and thought this would be a perfect little can to alter and include in my daughters Easter basket full of jellybeans! This can is so small it takes virtually no time at all to cover with paper (again since there is no handle it's even quicker to do), and decorate. I used a purple polka dot patterned paper to cover the side of the paint can and the lid. Since the reverse side of my patterned paper was white, I simply cut a border strip to be placed around the center of the can. I used a sponge dauber and inked the face and the edges of the paper lightly. Then using some spring, pastel colors I stamped jellybean images and words randomly over the front. Adding a pastel stripped ribbon to the edges of the border and a cute bunny paper pieced sticker finished it off!
Altering paint cans can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. They are such fun to make and I guarantee that the recipient of your work will be thrilled. I hope I've given you just a few ideas to get you started in altering paint cans.
Happy Stamping!
Cricket Rawlins
cricketrawlins@ssreflections.com
Stamping Deck Crewmember
S.S. Reflections, Inc.
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***Disclaimers - While individual techniques may vary, always follow product manufacturers' directions and cautions for safety and best results.
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