Tender Tinnies
These little tinnies can be used for decorative purposes, or to store items (scissors, glue, pens) in your studio or office. They can be created in a variety of colors using various embellishments.
Supplies:
Aluminum cans or tins
Gesso
Craft paint
Wire (19 Gauge)
Tin Hearts
Old Jewelry bits
Charms Cheesecloth
E6000 Glue
Buttons
Lace (sheer and bordered)
Matte Gel Medium
Old text, sheet music or shredded paper
Distress ink
Old Keys
Paper Whimsy Sheet 052
Paper Whimsy Sheet 258
Technique:
(1) Prep aluminum cans or tins by making sure all labels are off and no residue has been left behind on tin.
(2) Drill a hole on either side of the can near the lip. Measure to be sure they are at the same height. This is where you will place your wire handle.
(3) Apply gesso or primer to base of can. I usually find it will need two coats of gesso. I also find it helpful to paint the items over wax paper. The wax paper doesn’t allow the item to stick to the service while it is drying.
(4) Once can is dry paint another coat using selected craft paint. I decided to paint my tinnies in a cream color, but you could use any color. Apply another two coats of paint to tin.
(5) Add a torn strip of sheet music to the front of can. I used Matte Gel Medium to apply the music sheet with. Allow time for it to dry and set up. Once dry, add a bit of water to the craft paint color you are using and “wash” over the sheet music to give it a more aged and subdued look.
(6) Once tin is dry (make sure it is really dry) add lace along around the circumference of it. You will be layering a few pieces of different laces to give the tin some dimension.
*For sheer lace, you can use Matte Gel Medium. Apply directly to can and place lace on top. Smooth out with brush and add more matte gel. Run a bead of E6000 glue along the circumference of tin and add lace. Let each layer set up and dry before adding another.
(7) I have selected a rusty tin heart to use as my main embellishment on the tinnie. A bit of cheesecloth was added to the back (between can and heart) to add more dimension and the tin heart was glued into place using E6000 glue. I used a clothes pin to hold the heart into place while the glue sets.
(8) Once glue has set, I added a punched scallop circle and collage Paper Whimsy image (also punched in a circle shape.) The edges of the image were distressed with ink and set into place using more E6000 glue on the back. A small piece of old jewelry was glued to the center. I also added two mother of pearl buttons to the side of the heart (on the can) with E6000.
(9) I cut little bits of word art and glued on to the front of the can using Matte Gel Medium. You may also use old book text words to form phrases.
(10) Cut a piece of wire and insert through holes in side of can. Add a key (or other embellishment) and twist the wire together to form a curly cue.
(11) Fill can with shredded music sheets or colored paper shred.
Or fill with candy, pens, scissors and studio tools.
DAILY GIVEAWAY
Each day 3 lucky winners could receive a free download image sheet from the lovely Gale Blair, owner of www.paperwhimsy.com
TODAY'S GIVEAWAY IMAGE IS:
Paper Whimsy Sheet 052Please leave a comment with your name and email address to be eligible for this prize. Giveaway winners will be contacted by email to claim their prize!
Our giveaways winners for Day #4 are:
Heather C.
Mommyrox
Jackie M.
Congratulations! Gale will contact you by email with your prize!
This is a wonderful project…luckily I have some cans saved, now I know why!!! Thanks again Nancy.
These are wonderful, so versatile! And I never would have thought of base coating with gesso first, thanks for the great tip! Off to scour the recycle bin ;O)
These are so gorgeous and useful Nancy.
Looking forward to making some of these thanks to your kindness in sharing with us all!
Big hugs,
Suzy
Gorgeous, they make awesome storage tins
These are really sweet!
Another great idea Nancy, thanks for sharing!!
Angela x
Nancy, this is precious! What a fabulous way to upcycle cans! Thank you, Nancy! Gale, wonderful images sheet from you Paper Whimsy!
A wake up treat on Monday! and your instructions are so concise…Thanks
These are so darling, and what a great way to clean up the storage areas in the studio. Thanks so much for the time you spend mentoring us with your gorgeous art. XO
As I am trying to spend as little as possible on studio storage, this is a terrific idea. Also, I love the tip about painting items over wax paper!
These are the sweetest little tinnies! What a dreamy and romantic way to repurpose a tin can!
This is so lovely. Thank you for sharing!
Dear Nancy, I know now what I have been saving my cans for! These are so cute. Thank you for sharing.
A wonderful idea with the cans- and so lovely in white and laces,
and those sweetest images from Paper Whimsy- Love you added the keyes,dear Nancy.
Thank you Nancy.
XO
I think this is my fave project so far!! I love how beautifully you’ve recycled cans-wow!! Looks like I’ll be in my recycle bin and cleaning up some cans today. :) Thanks Nancy!!
Your sooo generous with your craft designs, they always put a smile on my face, thanks so much!!!
Now I have to go empty some cans of peas! What a clever recycle project and not to mention a totally stunning one at that! Love these little tinnies! Happy Monday! Hugs!
Recycling is tomorrow so just in time LOL Another sweet project!
This will make my Monday more bearable; thank you! <3
I am saving all of these wonderful things to do… working on journals and the cigar box..LOL.. not enough time in the day!!!!! Thank you these are awesome…
AND you did it again stunning idea !
Super cute project! I have several formula cans saved, and my girls are 6 and 4. What a fab idea!
Holly Moore
heroom80@hotmail.com
Super cute project! I have several formula cans saved, and my girls are 6 and 4. Heehee. Thanks for the great idea!
Holly Moore
heroom80@hotmail.com
I like the idea for today. Great work.
You have given new meaning to what used to be trash :) A pretty way to recycle.
Just catching up with your beautiful projects today – my computer was in the shop!!! Love each day’s creations, Nancy. These cans are so beautiful and I will definitely give this idea a try! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!
Those are darling!
All of the projects are so cute, I just need to get over the crud to be able to participate! Thanks Nancy.
xoxo
Who knew a plain tin can could end up being so gorgeous? I’ve never seen any upcycled cans turn out so pretty–great job, Nancy!
These are very cute. It makes me want to decorate the pail that I have.
Oh, this is my favorite project yet…so pretty!
You certainly know how to transform a humble tin can dear Nancy!
These are absolutely precious!!!
oxo
These are such a clever and stunning idea!
Ahhhhh, so this is why I saved all those cans!! Too cute, Nancy!
Heather
ti2gr2@yahoo.com
What a wonderful idea, thanks for sharing. ♥
Barb
I’m full of dreams too !!
It’s a sweet project ! thanks for sharing Nancy !
Hi, Nancy:
Again, simple AND beautiful! Thank you so much!
So lovely! I really can’t choose a favorite project, they’re all wonderful! :-)
Hi Nancy!
Love the tinnies!!
Have a great day!!
Linda
I am enjoying the daily projects that you are posting . It’s such fun
to check your site each day to see the new tutorial. I would like to
be entered for today’s give away Image 052. Thanks again and best
wishes.
Love the recycling of the cans…..it’s amazing they can look so beautiful from such humble beginnings. My wonderfully creative Dad (whom I miss terribly) used to paint on all the flip top can lids. He said he opened a can of soup one day and looked at the pull tab and thought, “great, it has its own easel with it. So he would paint on the lid and then adjust the tab so it sat up on its own.
What a fun project!! I am enjoying your daily projects.
Ooohhh, Nancy, these are utterly gorgeous and I’m definitely going to decorate some of these type of containers.
Chris xx
These are just darling! Visiting from Sandi’s Blog (Maximum Embellishment)…and I just got in from trecking out in the snow to grab some soup cans…LOL…can’t wait to get a chance to play!
Hugs!!
Heather
so cute!
Am thoroughly enjoying all your wonderful creations … I totally love all of your ideas – but so far this is my favourite. (Well, it will be until I see what you have planned for tomorrow LOL) Thank you for the continued inspiration – and the promosie of more wonderful, awe-filled days until Valentines Day xx
Uber Sweet Tinnies. You are sharing wonderful Heartfelt creations and I am grateful. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts…
Love this!
Just adorable! I love these, you could do a different set for each season! Di@Cottage-Wishes
You always come up with the most beautiful creations,dear Nancy:)
Love the tins.
Hugs,
Marie
Now how did I miss these? Great up cycled project. Just precious!
hugs Lynn
Cute project! I did a bunch of cans from Thanksgiving dinner with old book pages to hold all my pens and markers. Thanks for the giveaway.
Great recycle project! Makes my mind work overtime thinking of what one could do.
You have taken the old tin can and turned it into something absolutely delightful. So pretty! Best wishes, Tammy
Oh my gosh, these cans are gorgeous! I keep saving cans then, tossing them after a few days…I’m going to have to stop tossing them!
Thanks for sharing!