DIY Tin Can Organizers

Look what I found on Pinterest the other day.  Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen?  I instantly fell in love with the quote, the lettering, design, and especially the coloring.  You can find it and purchase it at Red Autumn.  

After seeing it, I wanted to start adding greens, oranges, and pale blues everywhere!  Then I decided everywhere probably wasn't a very practical scale, so I settled on something small.  

I've had tin can organizers sitting by our computer for quite some time now, and they were in need of a facelift.  They were the perfect place to start!

My Tips for Covering Tin Cans 

1.  Use cans with a rim on the top and bottom.  I like the look of the rim on top and bottom because it gives the can a finished look.

2.  Cover the outside of the cans with fun scrapbook paper, but don't forget the inside.  I usually just use a plain color to line the inside of the can.

3.  Measure your scrapbook paper, cut it, then just tape it in back (I even tape the ribbon).  I use tape because I change my cans so often, and tape is really easy to get off.  I'm not too fussy what the back of my cans look like, because no one sees them.  The tape does actually give a nice clean, clear finish however.

4.  Embellish, embellish, embellish!  Add ribbons to the tops, bottoms, middles, add flowers, letters, words, whatever fits your fancy.  It's fun to see the transformations!

I store pens, pencils, keys, headphones, small sticky notes, a tiny stapler, and anything else that needs a cute place to stay. 

You may be wondering why I have a picture of white beans in my collage.  Well, they're the perfect tool for keeping your pens and pencils standing up nice and pretty.  I dump a bunch of them in the bottom of the can, and then nestle the pens and pencils inside.

And what are cute color coordinating cans without matching pens and pencils?  I may have a bit of a problem when it comes to cute writing tools.  I've been that way ever since I can remember.  Michaels is the BEST place for cute, inexpensive pens and pencils.  I found all of mine at Michaels in their 2/$3 bins.  I think I buy at least two packs every time I go to Michaels, but it does pay off.  I had enough of every color that I didn't have to buy a single new pen or pencil for my cans.  I had blues, greens, and oranges just waiting to be used.  

Now I need to find another place to add these fun colors.  I think pillows might be next.

Linking to these parties & Savvy Southern Style.