Create a Paint Can Out of a Coffee Can

Or How to Recycle a Large Coffee Can

I don't buy empty paint cans to decorate for my clients but I was in need of a container to deliver a wrapped candy bar order.

I wandered the house looking for items to recycle that would fulfill my need and remembered my stack of empty coffee cans. I knew I had a dimension template saved on my computer but I needed to also make a handle for my "paint can" created out of a coffee can.

Of course I had a reserve of cable wire. The center of cable wire is copper so I had to strip the outer layers down to reveal the copper wire I needed.

I assembled the following:

*81/2 x 11 Card stock

*Coffee can template(s) consisting of a front and back both measuring 10w x 6 1/6h. This height reveals the silver/aluminum rims around the top and bottom. If you don't want those to show then make the height 6 3/16.

*Hot glue gun and glue sticks

*Dremel with a bit to drill holes for the handle in the coffee can

*Copper wire

*Tissue paper

*Ribbon to match

Using my measuring tape, I measured around the outside of the can then divided that measurement in half. The can was 19 inches so I knew I would have to drill a hole at the halfway point of 9 1/2 inches on opposite sides. Using a Sharpie, I marked the two points then measured down 1/2 inch from the top rim at each 1/2 mark and marked that point.With my Dremel, I drilled small holes at the two points.

I all ready had a design to print on the card stock which meant I only had to size it to fit the 8 1/2 x 11 sheet. Once I had printed the front and back, I cut them out and glued them onto the can with hot glue. The paper covered the holes but no problem. I grabbed my Dremel again and drilled holes - using my previously drilled holes as guides - through the paper from the inside of the can.

I inserted one end of the wire through a drilled hole then curled it so it wouldn't slip back through. Then I did the same to the other side. With my handle now finished, the paper glued into place, all that was left was inserting tissue paper inside the can and stuffing curled ribbon around the inside edge of the coffee can.

Who needs to buy empty paint cans when coffee cans are just as nice? Actually, in my opinion the copper wire dresses it up nicely.

Diaper Cake for New Moms or Moms-to-Be

Diaper cakes are so fun and easy to do. I found plenty of instructions on the Internet. Some very detailed, most were not.

This two tiered diaper cake took 50 newborn diapers rolled then tied with ribbons.

Directions for the wash cloth and sock roses were also found on the Internet but I chose instructions with pictures to help me shape the items into a roses. The roses were slipped onto stems I cut from a silk flower bouquet and I included the leaves from the bouquet.

The pink satin flowers I cut, shaped and sewed then simply placed among the components of the cake. I didn't bother pinning or taping them to hold them into place.

Know someone having a baby shower or giving birth soon? Give this cake a try, or you can order one from me.

Recycle Old Socks into Sock Monkeys!

I have to tell you how fun it was to make this little gal.

I'm not posting instructions on how to make the sock monkey because there are so many patterns to be found on the Internet.

I have bunches of scrap material; remnants purchased here and there because I love working with fabric. To make Missy Monkey's clothes, I whipped out my measuring tape, measured and cut material.

The little jackets was the hardest. I made the body of the jacket first then measured, cut out the sleeves and sewed them on. I left plenty of room for Missy's arms to fit and I left ragged seams at the shoulders.

The hat, skirt, and leggings were simple tubes measured to fit then sewn closed. The fabric flower pattern was found on the Internet.

She can be purchased for $5.00.

Free 14.5 Can Wrapper

Here's a fun little project for the kids or even for yourself. A wrapper to wrap around a can to make a pencil and scissor holder.

First you need a 14.5 oz can; washed and dried.

I file down any inside sharp edges with a file from hubby's tool box.

Click on the image to enlarge it and either save it to your computer or print it right from the preview. I use card stock but you can use regular paper.

Cut it out.

Grab a glue stick or a bottle of glue and smear the back side of the paper.

Line it up with the edges of the can and hand press around until it sticks.

Hint: I stand my can upright, hold the paper against the flat surface the can sits on and hand-wrap around the can.

Your kids may need some help with that. You too for that matter.