Technique Class - Altered Cannister

I don't mean to cause widespread panic here, but with only ten weeks to go until Christmas I thought it about time to get started on some handmade gifts!

This great tin cannister has been in my stash for quite some time now just waiting for some pretty paper and embellishments to transform it into an objet d'art. Okay, it may not have turned out quite as good as that, but filled with some homemade cookies, some gardening items or even a small bottle of perfume, it really makes a lovely gift. So let's get started...

Requirements:

Tin cannister
Double sided tape (extra strength is best)
Patterned papers (I used Flight of Fancy by Prima)
Matching inks for distressing the papers
Stamps and inks of choice
Ribbon, lace and trim
Assorted flowers and butterflies

1. I used three different patterned papers to cover my tin - you could use more or less depending on the look you are going for. You'll need enough to fit all the way around your tin and enough to cover it from the base to just under the lip of the lid.

2. Ink the long edges of each strip of patterned paper. With the wrong side facing up, butt the strips tightly together, making sure the ends are even and join them together with double sided tape.

3. Add some stamped designs. As you can see from the photograph, I stamped along the top and bottom edge, as well as diagonally across the paper. When the paper is adhered around the cannister the diagonally image will wrap around giving me a foundation or guide for my embellishments. Add a stamped sentiment at this point if desired.

4. Using extra strength double sided tape at the join line (normal double sided tape will do everywhere else) apply the paper to the cannister. You can add a layer of clear varnish to your project at this point and set it aside to dry while you work on the lid.

5. Covering the lid is a simple matter of applying a circle of patterned paper to the top and a strip around the side. Pre-ink each piece before adhering, however you will find that the trim covers most of the edges anyway.

6. Place the lid on the cannister while you add your trim and lace. This helps to maintain the correct shape as well as providing you with a guide for the placement of your embellishments. You don't want the laces or trim to prevent the lid going on properly.

7. Use extra strong double sided tape to apply the trim around the edge of the lid. I find this particular braided trim ideal for edging as it seems to hug the angle well and covers up any imperfections I might have in my work... not that I'm admitting anything here! Use the same double sided tape to apply some pretty lace just under the lid. This helps to hide that small gap where the tin juts out a little. You could also use ric rac or ribbon if you wanted to. Try and keep all of your joins in the same place at the back of your project.

8. With some normal double sided tape and a spot or two of glue, apply a wide ribbon around the cannister. I placed my about 1/4 of the way up from the bottom, but you can put it wherever you think it looks best. Leave the space beneath the bow adhesive free so that the ribbon can bend and gather in the right places.

9. Tie a nice bow with the loose ribbon ends. Hold it in place with some small pieces of strong double sided tape placed on the loops of the bow and in the middle of the tails. A little glue squeezed into the knot will prevent the bow from slipping.

10. The final stage is embellishing. I adhered a layered flower with a pearl brad to the centre of the lid with some of the extra strong double sided tape. I finished the cannister by placing some handcut butterflies, flowers and self-adhesive pearls along the stamped swirls I added earlier.