Repurpose a Peanut Can for Gift Giving

Hello peeps! I've been working on a project that will take me at least through tomorrow to finish, but I want to share a little gift my daughter and I made together for her boyfriend from an old peanut can. I love to repurpose and recycle and I think that has rubbed off on my daughter. I also love that my daughter enjoys making handmade gifts for people.  

  This can is very similar to the can she began with.

She used the Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles die pack (S4-114) to cut out a round piece of deep brown cardstock to cover the top. The largest circle is the perfect size. Then she used Stazon ink in Timber Brown to color the edges of the lid that would not be covered and to give the paper a textured, leather-like appearance. To hide the edge of the paper circle and give the top of the can a little pizazz she hot glued twine around the inner lip of the lid.

For the exterior of her project she used Tattered Time cardstock by DCWV. I really like this paper and the colors are perfect for giving a project a masculine feel. To cover the outside she cut a strip of cardstock (approximately 3" tall by 12" wide) and wrapped it around while taping it into place. The 12" wide paper did not quite make it the entire way around the can so she took the plain brown cardstock she was using and filled the gap giving the point where it joined a clean, finished look. For the outer edge of the lid she used brown ribbon and then added some wooden beads on the twine.

Inside she lined the can with clear plastic by cutting a baggy into a strip and then added a circle of cardstock to cover the bottom. To finish her gift she placed a note in the can and then filled the can with one of her boyfriend's favorite treats. An easier way to do the inside would be to use a cute cellophane treat bag, but we didn't have any and had to improvise.

I think it turned out really cute and it only took about 15 minutes to throw together. 

Happy Crafting!

Wreath Craft: using outdated metal wall decor.

I wanted to try making my own wreath for quite a long time before I actually tried it. I wasn't sure what to use and after an exhaustive web search I realized I could use whatever I wanted and I didn't have to run to the store and spend a lot of money.

I ripped an old wreath apart that had seen better days, gathered some fake flowers (some of which I got thrift shopping, some I had) and finally found a use for those metal vines and metal hummingbirds. To make the metal look less dated I added some sticky gemstones from my scrapbook stash, a couple glass rocks and intertwined the metal pieces with the fake flowers. I used hot glue to hold it all in place.

I also added a little basket that allows people who stop by to leave a note if I'm not home.

I love the way it turned out and the nice thing about the metal flowers, birds and leaves is that they sparkle in the sun and show up when the moonlight hits them. Couldn't have asked for more. I look forward to making my first Christmas wreath.

This project can be free to make if you have items in your home to re-purpose. If you need to buy materials, purchase them from a thrift store or yard sale. An ugly wreath from a yard sale is only ugly before you've ripped everything off of it and made it your own. Places like Goodwill will often have flower bunches for under a dollar. Everything I used for this was originally purchased at a thrift store.

 Happy Crafting!

Christmas Craft: using mismatched earrings

     Don't throw those earrings away when you lose one and if they're special to you, what better way to have them then on display instead of in the back of a jewelry box. I used a lot of sparkly earrings and the light that comes off this little tree is gorgeous. Unfortunately my camera found the sparkle a little overwhelming and faded everything out, but you get the idea. I decided to use burlap in contrast to all the shine, but this might be something you could try doing on a mirror or foiled background if you want to make the most of the sparkle and reflection.

   Give it a shot. I would love to see what you create.