Crafty Crease #7: VTS 1 - Altered Can

Go from this plain can...

...to these cool pen & pencil holders!

I am particularly partial to the "Oak" brand because the insides of their cans are white.  I haven't tried to see if any other brands (besides Watties which are silver lined) have white inners.  If you know of any, please let me know!!

First, find an excuse to open a can!  We have this cool tupperware can opener that fortunately leaves no sharp edges, which makes this project even easier to get started.

Next, remove the label and clean off the bit of glue left on.

Cut a sheet of chosen scrapbook paper   23.5 cm x 10.5 cm.     

Put a strip of double sided tape on the wrong side of each 10.5 cm edge.


Stick one 10.5 cm edge to the can (I usually follow the line where the tin was joined together as a guide).

Pull the paper around the can and stick the other edge down.  You should not need to pull the paper tight.  Both edges should butt up together and not overlap (unlike the joins in the picture that have overlapped slightly!).

Use ribbon, die cut shapes and stamps to decorate the tin.  I also used the apple die cut seen above to stick on to pencils to give the set a more co ordinated look.  Foam tape has been utilised to give the accents some dimension.

I have learnt a new way to tie ribbon (also from Kerry's blog).  A simple double knot and a slanted cut edge still gives a 'bow' looking effect without wasting too much precious ribbon.  The angle of the 'bow' can be easily altered by the way you tie the first knot.  Most right handed people take the left strand over the top and then under the right strand.  Have a go of tying it the other way and see what you come up with!


In the next blog...      Altered Clipboard.