Just a short tuit

Need a decorative container in a short time, and either no time or no money to purchase one?

I'm one of those people who loves old wallpaper or wrapping paper.

so I have started covering cans of different sizes.

Here is a short how to, 

on the way I do them, takes about 15 minutes to cover a can.

Find some paper, wall paper works really well,

 because it is a bit stiffer than most wrapping paper

find the size container you want, make sure it is clean.

You can either take the label off, or leave it on, makes no difference, 

I've done them both ways.

You'll need a knife, a straight edge, a glue gun, some masking tape, and ribbon or decorative

flowers if you wish to decorate after you finish covering.

Lay can on the paper, just with the bottom lip touching the edge of the paper

Take straight edge, and lay right where the top of the can is 

put onto the can, itself.

Using the straight edge and the knife, carefully cut the

paper to length that will reach around the can, plus an inch or so extra.

Wrap the can, and overlap the paper, pulling it as tight

as you can. 

Take knife and cut against the edge of the papers where they overlap

and if you do it right, they will match perfectly. 

This is where the stiffer paper helps.

Take a couple of pieces of  masking tape,

and tape the paper on the can, making sure

the edges fit together.

Hot glue the edges closed, making sure glue is set 

before removing tape.

Decorate as you wish, I didn't have any matching ribbon

so stuck the raffia on, just to show what I meant.

Raffia was removed 

And here are 2 cans, a coffee can and a large soup can

done in about 15 minutes.

The first can I covered, a baby formula can, about 11 years ago, with a pretty wrapping

paper.  I still use it, and it has held up very well.  I'm sure the wallpaper will hold up even better.

Also, if you have one of those can openers that cut the lid, where it will fit back on can, you can glue it back, and use it as a gift container.  

We did that to daughter in law, left the soup label on the can, and you should have seen her face, when she unwrapped a can of soup for her Christmas gift.  We'd put a gift card to her favorite store inside, and sealed it back, she could tell the can was empty of soup, lol.