Previously titled Making a Valentine Tin from Tuna Cans.
Who would have thought that a lowly tuna can (actually two of them) could make such a stylish gift tin.
Who would have thought that a lowly tuna can (actually two of them) could make such a stylish gift tin.
While I used gift wrap paper to decorate the tins the sky is the limit with this. You could use almost any sort of paper from wall paper to scrap book paper.
I left one tin with it's original colour and decided for the second design to paint it a blood red. Again your choices are endless if you decide to paint.
So follow these surprisingly easy instructions to make your own gorgeous gift tin to keep or give as part of a present.
I assume that all tuna cans are the same shape but before using the
measurements I give you, you might want to cut out some newspaper or
other scrap paper to these dimensions to see if they fit before using
your good paper, especially if you don't have much of your good paper.
Start with two cleaned tuna cans that have the tops removed. If you are going to paint them then do that now. You will paint both the top and bottom edges. I first used a white primer and then painted them with craft paint as I wanted to use a water soluble paint for easy clean up. The coverage is not as nice as using a metal spray paint so you might chose to do that instead. You also have to paint the inside of one of the cans that you will use as the top tin.
Cut two bands of paper 12 inches by 1-1/4 inches to wrap on the outside of the top and bottom tin. I used a bit of scotch tape to adhere the paper but if you don't want it to show then you could glue the paper on with adhesive spray glue.
Make a florist bow (see How to Make a Florist Bow) to fit the top of the can. I used a 1inch wide satin ribbon to make our bow. Tie it to a piece of ribbon long enough that it will fit inside the tin and onto the top. You will tape the ribbon to the inside and to the inside top so that it looks neat.
Cut a piece of ribbon long enough so it will fit around the outside of the bottom tin and tape it to the inside. You want to position the ribbons so when the top and bottom are together the ribbons look like they meet.
You need to make an inside collar so the top can will stay on the bottom can. For the red tin I used red card stock.
Cut two bands of paper 12 inches by 1-1/4 inches to wrap on the outside of the top and bottom tin. I used a bit of scotch tape to adhere the paper but if you don't want it to show then you could glue the paper on with adhesive spray glue. Cut out two discs 3 inches across. I taped them on by rolling the tape to make it double sided but real double sided tape would be best or again you could use spray adhesive.
Make a florist bow (see How to Make a Florist Bow) to fit the top of the can. I used a 1inch wide satin ribbon to make our bow. Tie it to a piece of ribbon long enough that it will fit inside the tin and onto the top. You will tape the ribbon to the inside and to the inside top so that it looks neat. Cut a piece of ribbon long enough so it will fit around the outside of the bottom tin and tape it to the inside. You want to position the ribbons so when the top and bottom are together the ribbons look like they meet.
You need to make an inside collar so the top can will stay on the bottom can. For the red tin I used red card stock. Cut a piece 4-1/2 inches by 11-1/2 inches. Score down the middle of this piece (2-1/4 inches lengthwise) and fold it in half. With your hands gently bend it inward so it has a bit of a curve. Put this inside the tin and press it against the sides. Tape the overlap and tape the bottom of the collar to the bottom of the can. Try to do all the taping as neatly as possible.
Cut a circle to put in the bottom of the can and use double sided tape, tape it in. Cut a circle to tape in the top of the other can with double sided tape (or roll your scotch tape to make it double sided).
With the light coloured tin I also lined the inside of the collar with wrapping paper. The collar in the light coloured tin was the inside of a cereal box that happened to be the same colour as the wrapping paper.
While I made these tins with very traditional colours and paper you could make them with extreme colour combinations.
You could also use fabric instead of paper but you would have to find a glue that would not leak through the fabric and that would definitely adhere to the cans.
You could also make these without the bow to have a more tailored look.
How ever you decide to make these gorgeous gift tins you will find that they are a very frugal, fun craft to make.
Editors note. I have been asked how I removed the tuna odor from the cans and all I did was wash them with dish soap and water and then put them in the dishwasher for a secondary clean. There was no odor after that.
Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2010
Morestylethancash
In a rush but want to explore More Style Than Cash further when you have time? Add me to your Favorites or follow me on Twitter.
For more Articles chose from Crafts, Decorating, Food and Entertaining, Fashion, Gift Giving, Stationery and Cards, Health and Beauty, Kids, or Money Matters.
Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2010
Morestylethancash
OMG! I saw the link and had to come over. Tuna cans? No way. These look great. I guess I'll be eating a lot of fish before Valentines LOL
My goodness...this is an awesome thrifty idea...luv it!
Blessings,
Linda
What a gorgeous and classy idea! Thank you!! I have shared this on my blog with your pic, giving you credit of course. Thank you so much!!!!!!