Oh so pretty. The perfect tin to load up with Corry bars and deliver to friends and family.
Batch #3 is ready to go!
So easy and so sweet...transform random tins into handmade holiday gifts.
What to do...Gather random tins and lightly sand. YES ... Sand the tin lightly with sandpaper! This will allow the paint to stick really good!
Spray the tins with several light coats of Krylon indoor/outdoor paint (Here's a link on Amazon to buy this exact color spray paint)... while the top is still on!!! YES, YES, YES ... with the lid on! Here's the deal here ... I know there have been a few comments on the lid sticking ... the lid will not stick if you spray the tin with several LIGHT coats of paints. And yes, you will see a lip of the original tin color when you take the lid off. It's just gunna be that way. If you spray the bottom separately from the lid, chances are the lid will not fit back on the bottom AND the fumes from the paint will linger in the tin and make it unsafe for food! So, YES ... spray paint the tin with the lid on the bottom.
Give a few pages of old book text, a wash of gesso. There have been a few questions about gesso and what it is .... So this is what I know about gesso ... According to Wikipedia "Modern "acrylic gesso" is a widely used ground[5] that is a combination of calcium carbonate with an acrylic polymer medium latex, a pigment and other chemicals that ensure flexibility, and increase archival life." So I use it here to just give the old paper a washed and white weathered look. I also like the tooth that it give the paper, which allows the stamped ink to stick.
Stamp words on the text and tear out. Punch snowfakes out from the gessoed text and glue onto the tin tops using just white glue. Here's a link on Amazon to a Letter and Number Roller Stamp ... Similar to the one I have, but not exact. The one I have was discontinued years ago.)
Load your tins up with Corry bars, or your family's favorite treat, and tie up the tin with a little hemp.
Peace, Blessings and Grace...
I hope I have answered all the questions that readers have had about this project! I apologize for being so vague ... I think I was in a hurry way back when and didn't realize then that this project would go viral and be so well loved!
Best,
Cynthia
Okay! You have officially rescued my tired old tins from the trash heap. This idea is so sweet. And hand decorated tins have a coolness factor that no generic gift bag could offer. Love it!
Posted by: Noah's Nest | December 08, 2010 at 06:08 PM
I love tins, I even collect them~ I love the fresh, new look~ Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Ellen | December 10, 2010 at 09:09 PM
adorable! want one of those stamps!
Suz
Posted by: Susan Reaney | December 11, 2010 at 02:16 PM
I was a TJ"s last week and bought a tall square tin (with candy) because I liked the shape of the tin. Cynthia, what have you done to me?
Posted by: Deb Ambrosino | December 20, 2010 at 05:29 PM
Love this color. So pretty. Who doesn't have those empty popcorn tins?
Posted by: Truebluemeandyou | December 08, 2011 at 08:17 PM
LOVE this...doing it for sure...thx for the great idea!!
Mariaelena
Posted by: mariaelena ullinger | January 19, 2012 at 09:48 AM
where do you get a stamp like that?
Posted by: b henton | January 19, 2012 at 01:07 PM
How cool! Also a great idea for color-coordinated storage - reuse those tins instead of buying plastic boxes.
Posted by: Cora | January 19, 2012 at 07:32 PM
I love the idea.. too bad I just threw away some tins !
Cecilia
Posted by: Cecilia | January 20, 2012 at 09:33 AM
I so love this idea. Thanks for sharing! I'm definitely gonna do this since I save them "for something." :)
Posted by: Debbie @ Pink Texas Chick | January 20, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Just found you via Pinterest. Holy cow. WHY have I never considered doing this? Genius! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Andrea B | January 20, 2012 at 02:27 PM
amazing idea!!! thank yu for sharing!! ^ _ ^
Posted by: Marta | January 21, 2012 at 08:09 AM
What a clever idea, thanks for sharing
Posted by: Edith Stanley Veirs | January 21, 2012 at 08:31 AM
help! Every time I try painting tins, the lids end up peeling paint when I take them on and off. Suggestions please?
Posted by: A Facebook User | January 21, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Paint it with the lid intact?...tape around the top of the tin so it won't get painted?
The picture seems to show the blue rim on one (top left) as it was prior...
Posted by: demaroge | January 24, 2012 at 02:56 PM
I want this color of paint!! I have another project and this is the color I have been searching for. Can you tell me where you found this color of paint?? I have tried 4 different places, to no avail!
Posted by: Sherrilee Lewis | January 26, 2012 at 01:01 PM
This is such a great idea to use on my daughters tins that she doesn't want. What a super way to recycle. Thanks for sharing. Deborah
Posted by: Deborah Cross | January 26, 2012 at 04:03 PM
Fantastic there are always tins at thrift/op/charity shops. A perfect project so simple and looks so gorgeous. Thank you.
Posted by: Nicola Blight | February 05, 2012 at 09:26 PM
What a cool idea. I like this re-used made BETTER idea :)
Posted by: Janice | February 16, 2012 at 07:06 AM
I am going to do this one...some of my tins are nasty inside, so I think adding some newspaper print or pretty wrapping paper mod podged decoupage to it will fix it fine!
Posted by: JC | February 19, 2012 at 01:25 PM
quick Question, I have done this before the the cookies smelled like spray paint due to the paint on the side of the can. Any suggestions on how to keep the smell of the paint off the goodies?
Posted by: Laura | February 24, 2012 at 06:48 AM
These are great! Quick question.... where did u get the alphabet stamper?? That is SO Cool! Could u let me know at [email protected]. Thanks, Linda
Posted by: me.yahoo.com/a/LY1aX1oolPMJy1JoPA6KefxL3_7GKVrM_A-- | February 24, 2012 at 08:53 AM
Thanks for this wonderful idea. I covered a tin I got for Christmas (benne wafers - thanks, Nancy). Added a photo from a 80th birthday invitation, some lace and a button. Plan on filling it with another pinterest goodies (pretzels, rolos & pecans). Have a picture posted on facebook.
Posted by: [email protected] | March 15, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Gesso??
Posted by: Laura | March 19, 2012 at 07:28 PM
yes, what is Gesso? is that how you get the pictures and words to stay on? very neat idea!
Posted by: barb | March 21, 2012 at 08:42 PM