My best friend Carrie wrapped my 2004 Christmas gift in a decorated paint can & I was blown away. Since then, I've decorated a dozen or so paint cans for gifts and I've loved each & every one. I've even thrown a "paint can" baby shower for a friend. Each person was given a blank paint can to decorate & fill with baby shower gifts. My friend Jenny still has the paint cans! I've demo'd paint cans at Rubber Chicken Stamp Art and Great American Scrapbook Convention, yet people keep asking "How do you do that?"
Local weblog celebrity Jeanette recently turned 40 and her friend Carol threw a surprise party for her. I wanted to make Jeanette a can for her studio, but this time I thought I'd take pics during the process so that I could share the technique with you.
First, gather your supplies.
- A blank paint can (You can buy them at Loew's or Home Depot. They run about $4.00 or less.)
- A paint can key/opener (These are a little harder to find, but ask at the paint department.)
- Two pieces of 12" x 12" coordinating papers (this sample uses Anna Griffin papers.)
- A couple of pieces of extra coordinating papers/cardstock for the can lid
- 24" wide ribbon
- Several coordinating shades of tulle, ribbons, fabric remnants
- 1.5" circle punch
- Circle Cutters for the top of the can (I prefer Creative Memories circle cutting system.)
- Pinking shears
- Scissors
- Adhesive (A Xyron 900, if you have it!)
1. Start with your blank paint can. No need to clean it or prime it -- it is ready to go!
2. Cut one sheet of your 12" x 12" paper down to two pieces of 5" x 12". Use adhesive (I use a Xyron) to glue this around the base of your can, overlapping the ends.
3. Cut your other 12" x 12" coordinating paper to two pieces of 12" x 4". Before adhering, wrap them around the top of your can & mark the paper where the handles jut out. Use your 1.5" circle punch to punch holes for the handles. Use your scissors to make slits, allowing the paper to slide over the handle.
4. Use your adhesive/Xyron to wrap the coordinating papers (with holes punched for the handle) around the top of the can.
5. Use adhesive to wrap grosgrain or other wide ribbon around the can, where the two papers meet (overlapping the ribbon at the end). I prefer to use Xyron for this because it is hard to make sure that your ribbon is even.
6. Use your circle cutter and extra papers/cardstock to cover & decorate the paint can lid. I have found that the Creative Memories cutting system with the large circle and the blue cutter fit perfectly in the lid. I use the other size cutters to make smaller circles to decorate the top. Decorate as desired. Here, I used my Wishblade cutting system to cut out the numbers "4" and "0". I used the scraps from the base of the can to further embellish the top.
7. Tie fabric remnants, ribbons and tulle around the handle. This is the most time consuming part. I use pinking shears to add effect, but don't run out to buy pinking shears if you don't have them. They are quite expensive ($25 & up for a decent pair). Use your everyday scissors to cut sections of fabric & ribbon. Tulle is bought by the roll at Michaels, AC Moore and fabric stores. I own tulle in a number of colors b/c it is a handy embellishment on a number of projects. Cover the entire handle with fabric, ribbons & tulle. I always go my motto, "More is good, all is better!". You can tie buttons & charms to the ribbons to really punch it up.
8. Make a tag if you like.
9. Hot glue a flower/tulle to the front of the can. Attach the opener/key to the handle using ribbon. Attach the tag to the can & you're done!! Get started now & you can do all of your Christmas presents in fantastic decorated paint cans... or decorate some for guests to take leftovers home after Thanksgiving! There's so much you can do. Enjoy!
