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This is a project I made a while back that didn’t quite make it onto my Youtube channel. I thought it might have a place here on my daily blog. The embellishment was kept to a minimum, but you could go wild adding all sorts of alterations to it.
For this simple up-cycling project, I took an empty can of nuts, similar this this, and covered it with scrapbooking paper. First, I thoroughly washed the oil out of the can with dishwashing liquid. I used Ranger alcohol ink in the eggplant color to tone down the red, plastic cover to coordinate with the decorative paper.
I made a flower from a plastic grocery store bag. I used bright copper acrylic paint to paint the squares of plastic that I cut from the bag to make the flower. I allowed the acrylic paint to dry thoroughly before making the flower. The acrylic had a tendency to lift up a little bit while the flower was being made, but most of the paint stayed in place. See my Plastic Bag Flowers Youtube tutorial at this url—
I poked two holes in the center of the plastic cover and tied the flower in place with the string I used to bind the flower together. I taped the string on the inside with masking tape and painted the tape to match the cover to finish the inside. I altered the aluminum color of the edges of the can with Latte colored alcohol ink. Alcohol ink sticks to plastic and metal, and is waterproof.
The decorative paper is from my Blossomwood paper pad by K and Company. Here is the url to the K and Company store, where it may still be available for purchase—
http://www.eksuccessbrands.com/kandcompany/productlist.htm?bid=599
I hope this project is a starting point that will get you inspired to look at your trash in a new way!
OMGoodness! I love the plastic bag flowers! I would love to cover a whole wreath with them, or use them in the middle of a bow to wrap a present. I can’t wait to check out the rest of your site. Thanks for the early morning inspiration!
I’m so glad you found the plastic bag flowers – it’s one of my most popular videos on my Youtube channel. You might want to check out my Fed Ex flower tutorial, too. It shows how to use a Fed Ex security envelope to make flowers. Thanks for checking out me new blog and commenting! Tim
Tim,
I must be a ‘chronic’ up-cycler because I stare at packaging in the store even before purchase to see what else I can use them for… I recently bought 2 cans of Asian snacks that were in same size cans as above but the body of the can is clear plastic.
Hi Natasha, Thanks so much for checking out the blog. Ever since I started making videos, I look at everything with fresh eyes. I know what you mean – it’s fun! Tim
What a great project using a recycled can! I’ve seen your You Tube tutorial on the plastic bag flowers and actually have had some bags sitting here to try out but hadn’t gotten to it yet. I was concerned about using acrylic paints on the bags, so I’m glad you gave the tip to wait until thoroughly dry and that it still may rub off just a bit. I never knew Alcohol Inks would work on plastic. Thank you for all of the inspiration today!!
Hi Linda, I’m so glad you’re inspired. The acrylic will tend to want to peel up a bit when you’re making the flower, but it stays pretty well in place afterwords, so I think it’s fine on the plastic bags for a project like this – and I like how the acrylic makes the plastic more opaque and disguises the material more than the alcohol ink. Tim
I taught kids to craft. at the Y in the 1970’s. I had no budget and had to brain storm. Appreciate the recycled nut tin and think I will do this and put some kind of treat in it.
Hi May, Yes, a treat would be great – you could even use the nuts that come in the tin, put them in a decorative bag back inside the tin, turning a can of nuts into a little gift! Tim
I truly appreciate the way you always strive to re-purpose items. There are so many things that we can keep using once we give it a little make-over! 🙂 I work at a restaurant and the ladies I work with make fun of me because I save all kinds of things. Mostly they think it’s funny that I save unused extra coffee filters. (Don’t even get me started on the waste I see from manufacturers, 25 bags of coffee in a case and 50 filters??? Why!?! Ugh)
WOW! Another great project for me to try. I have some of that stuff around here too. LOL. Thanks for sharing!
Diana/b4ustamp