I’m smack dab in the middle of raising my 4th teenager now, and there’s a standard answer he gives me when I ask why he did something.
“Because I can.”
Well, I’m stealing his answer today, because my tin can stash is overflowing again, so it was time to repurpose some of them, and turn them into summmerish decor.
I printed a few of my vintage can labels (links to printables below) to add to the cans. You’ll notice that these labels usually have several images on them, so depending on the size of your can, both images may show on opposite sides of your can. I print each label individually, then compare them to the cans I have to see which labels fit my cans the best.
Sometimes a label is the right height for a can, but it’s not long enough to go all the way around the can. In that case, you can either let the can show through the gap (since it will be in the back), but if you don’t want that gap, cut a piece of white paper the same height as the label and use it to fill the gap.
For instance, on this can, I began by decoupaging the label onto the can, and when I came to the gap where the two edges of the label didn’t meet up, I glued the white paper underneath, with the label overlapping the white paper. I use plain school glue mixed with a bit of water to decoupage and seal my cans, but you could also use a non-yellowing poly sealer to protect them.
Once the cans are dry, drill small holes just under the lip of the can on opposite sides.
Thread wire into one hole, and twist it, then do the same on the other side, to create a handle.
Fill them with flowers, ad TADA! … total cuteness.
Imagine putting a small plant like a cactus or succulent in these. Select one that stays small so it won’t outgrow the can.
You can also fill them with water and some cut flowers from your garden, and hang them here, there and everywhere!
Come back tomorrow, and you’ll see how I used one of these cans! 🙂
vintage tin can label printables available here and here.
See more quick and easy Tin Can projects here.
DARLING!! I love this! Pinning to add to my vintage flower garden. Yay!
these are so cute, Angie! I love the idea of using copies and sealing the labels! Thanks for sharing! Pinning!
just pinned it! I always love seeing people decorate with old cans, but I didn’t think of making my own. So simple I can’t believe it didn’t cross my mind. Glad it did yours 🙂
They are lovely, Angie! I think I’ll make some to hang in the garden.Thank you for the inspiration!
So funny to take labels off and then put them back on…but I do love these vintage labels. Very cute.
I came across my little stash of cans the other day and now I know what I am doing with them! Thank you! Love your inspiration! Thank you for sharing! Blessings to you Angie!
Bright and easy. I’m trying to think of other stuff I could use the labels for too! Great Post, Angie.
Omigosh! No more recycling cans for me…no sirree…time to repurpose and make them super-cute with the sweet, old labels you’ve so generously provided…thank you soooooo very much for this, Angie…they are just lovely like I can’t even convey! I can imagine using groupings of these with sweet, little flowers in them for an outdoors party, yes? Maybe you could even punch some holes around the bottom where the labels end and put votives in them? They’d make darling centre-pieces at a little country wedding, too! Love these sooooo much!!! 🙂
Oh Angie
I absolutely adore this idea . . . and I have the most ridiculous stash of tin cans ready for some planting.
And now I have some gorgeous labels to finish them off.
Thank you.
<3
Pia
I haven’t collected tin cans for a long time, but this makes me want to start! Putting it on my To Do list to make these pretties soon!
Tin cans BREED in my house, Juli! I always have a few dozen of them around. 🙂
I love these
I got some number 10 cans with some real good labels on it. Can I decoupage the label that on it or do I have to take it off so I can put the glue stuff on the back of the label
I would remove it first.