color cans

Time to get something crafty going over here. In my mail stack there was an autographed! comp copy of Rosie's new craft book. These decorated cans (photo by Paul Whicheloe) are a project I originally did for her magazine years ago when they did a story on my new book, Between Friends. The editors of her wonderful craft book chose a few of those projects to recreate and include in the new collection. So, so nice- then and now!

Maybe you know how much I love picking something out of the green bin and reworking it. Recognize the beginnings here? Coffee, beans, olives. Just clean, paint and decorate the clean cans with paper strips, rick rack, painted details. The biggest challenge is the sharp spur left by the can opener inside the rim. Use pliers to pinch it flat and then paper over it to protect your fingers. I always think of this as a summer craft for the back yard with children, but why not right now?

I would do anything outside today. Sun shining, birds pulling things out of the scruffy yard. I'm going out to look around too. In the green bin... the grass and the sky.

Comments

[jacquelynne]

These are really pretty! I can see myself going thru my recycling bin to make this project- I've always thought that it was kind of neat how cans come in so many different shapes and sizes (I'm weird like that). Thanks for the project idea.

[Kara Ward]

Oh, I love the little cans...I had to show my daughter. She inisted on green beans in a can tonight...so she can paint. Thanks for sharing. Kara

[Chris and Laurie]

Those are so cute. The would be great for Mothers day gifts!

[Cookie Sunshine]

These are adorable!

[Loretta]

Hi Charlotte!

How fresh and springlike! We need some color around here these days as the weather is slow to warm up.

BTW - would you mind listing my blog on your blogroll?

Thanks!

[linda woods]

What an adorable project!

[jeanne]

So cute!!

[Julie]

Love these! I must make some. Especially like the idea of putting a little pot or vase of flowers in one! How nice of you to be published again.

[Joyce]

Hi Charlotte,
Just wanted to stop by and thank you for sharing pictures of your studio with us through the Cloth Paper Scissor's Studio special issue -and i have a few of those cans waiting to be decorated with bits and pieces that i have around here.

[DivaDeb]

Years and years and years ago, Miss Charlotte, I painted cans that my restauranteur friend gave to me each week. I painted old fashioned fruit labels on them, added wire bail handles, and sold them at farmer's markets along with my painted furniture. I sold more of those things than I could ever count! (It always amazed me that people woudl buy mine and not just paint their own cream-of-corn cans, too....) I am not at all surprised that this 'green' idea is making the rounds again!