Back to School

It's that time of year again!  Back to school means lots of organizing, scheduling, and planning.  I love to make back to school gifts for the kids' teachers.  They really do have an important job.  I know how difficult my own children can be sometimes and I can only imagine how difficult it is in a room with 20 of them.  I try to send in random tokens of appreciation throughout the year just so they know they are appreciated.   I'm a big fan of the altered paint cans, so I created a school themed can for my son's 1st grade teacher.  I filled it with goodies from Target's dollar bin: stickers, book marks, post its, stamps, ink, hand sanitizer, etc.  And this year my 4th grader has a male teacher.  I wasn't sure what to do for him so I searched Pinterest for something cool.  I found an image of crayons melted thru a glue gun.  And since I just happen to have an old glue gun, a slightly stained artist canvas, and a bucket full of random crayons sitting in my basement,  I decided to give it a try.  I put the "dirty" end of the canvas at the top so it would be covered by wax and no one would be the wiser.  Then I peeled crayons and shoved them into the business end of my glue gun.  The crayons weren't exactly the same size as glue sticks, so the trigger wouldn't feed them thru.  So I shoved them thru by hand and used a pencil as a plunger when I got down towards the end.  The project was messy, but I deemed it a success.  I added the teacher's name with Thickers and wrapped it all up in bubble wrap to keep it from breaking on the way to school.  Both presents were a huge success! 

altered can "how-to"

Who wants to give another gift in a boring old gift bag? One way to guarantee that an exciting (or ordinary, or even a boring) gift is well received is to wow the recipient with a super cute personalized gift can, made with scrapbooking supplies! Here's a look at the finished product, with step by step details to follow:

Just get a clean, unused gallon paint can and some of your favorite scrapbooking papers, trims, and mod-podge! I've found the cans in hardware stores (at the major home improvement chains, and my local neighborhood hardware store for about half the price!) You'll also need approximately two 12x12 pieces of scrapbook paper and a 5-6 inch circle of paper for the lid.

I measured my can and cut my paper to fit. You'll need two strips approximately 4" x 10.25" to go around the bottom of the can, and two strips 3.5" x 10.25" for the top of the can. Working around the handle is the tricky part. After lots of trial and error, I found that it's easiest to use a 1" circle punch to make a cut out for the handle (approximately 1.5" from the top of the strip. Before I had a circle punch, I actually traced my half circles using the lid of a water bottle and cut them by hand.

Then cut a circle approximately 5.25" in diameter to fit the lid. I recommend doing all of the cutting before you start adhering pieces, and do a "dry fit" to make sure they're right before you bust out the mod-podge. Using a foam brush, coat one section of the can with a thin layer of mod-podge (the kind with matte finish, not glossy) making sure not to goop too much on (or you'll wind up with bubbles under your paper)

Then coat the backside of your paper with a thin layer of mod-podge and stick it on the can, lining up the paper with the bottom of the can, smoothing out air bubbles as you go and using a towel to wipe off any mod-podge that oozes around the edges.

Do the same thing for the top half of the can, fitting your half circle cuts around the handle. Keep smoothing out air bubbles as the papers dry, and wipe away mod-podge that oozes at the seams. Hint: Those sneaky little air bubbles are less noticeable when you use a patterned paper and less likely if you use cardstock than with regular weight paper.

Glue the paper to the can lid the same way, smooth away the bubbles, and embellish the lid anyway you like. This is a great place to add personalization, die cuts, etc.

Break out your favorite trims to hide the seams around the middle of the can. You can use just about anything for this step. I've used ric-rac, ribbon, or just another strip of patterned paper. If your trim is a heavy one (like my sequined fabric) it's best to use a hot glue gun or super sticky adhesive.

If your trim doesn't quite go all the way around your can, you can add another embellishment in the center to hide gaps or seams.

Start tying ribbon onto the handle, using as little or as much as you want. You can skip the ribbon all together if you're doing a masculine can, or try wrapping the handle with rope, leather, or anything. Some cans have handles that can be removed, making it possible to slide beads on the handle instead.

Don't forget to ask for a "paint can key" when you purchase your can. I've been able to get them for free most of the time. Tie some ribbon to the key and tie it to the handle of the can so it can be used to open the gift.

You can also use leftover paper to make a gift tag to tie to the other side of the can.

Now your project is complete and ready to be stuffed with just about anything and given away (or kept for yourself to organize your crafty space)! By the time the recipient gets done oohing and aaahhhing over the can, they really won't care what's even inside. And this is one gift bag that won't be thrown away or "regifted".

The possibilities are truly endless with a project like this. The cans can be themed for kids, sports, hobbies (fishing, golf, gardening), baby, teachers, etc. and used for all sorts of things. How fun to fill with homemade baked goods, teacher supplies, scrapbook goodies, kitchen gadgets or mixes! They are even good for a bachlorette party or wedding gifts and can be used later to store keepsakes and momentos from the big day.

open up a can...

What a great way to give (or receive) a present!  I altered clean empty paint cans to make fun gift cans.  I started with empty unused cans that I bought at a discount from my friend's hardware store.  Then I added my favorite scrapbook paper using a layer of mod podge on the can and more on the paper.  Then I glued a ribbon or paper around the middle to hide my seams and decorated the lids.  Add ribbons to the handle and tie on a paint can key to open up the treasure.  Viola!  A gift can can be stuffed with soooo many things!  The quart size cans are perfect for gift cards or jewelry.  The possibilities for gallon sized cans are endless! 

I filled this can with my famous chocolate chip cookies and gave it as a gift to my son's teacher.  It's a great way to use up ribbon scraps.

My favorite thing about altered cans is combining fun prints and patterns and making them one of a kind.  I glued on a big silk flower and used some sequin ribbon for added bling.

They make great "masculine" gifts for our manly friends too.  I've customized them with sports themes, fishing themes, golf, etc.

Girly cans are great for shower presents.  Stuff them with baby goodies or make an adult version for a bachlorette party.  The possibilities are endless!!!

I made a snowman can by hand stitching a mouth and cutting a carrot nose out of felt.

I love to receive gift cards, but the little quart sized cans make giving them so much more fun.  I used plain red cardstock for Santa's suit, then cut white cotton batting for the trim and lid. I finished off with black velvet ribbon and a gold buckle punch for Santa's belt.  This would also be great filled with cocoa mix or tea or any kind of candy or snack mix.