Tin Transformations Part 2

Howdy everyone!

I have a thing for tin containers. I've talked about it last week and transformed many others in the past (you can read about them here, here, and here).

What's not to love? They're sturdy, provide an air tight-seal, and are very useful for storage. 

This particular one was once filled with yummy baked goods. It's now empty and I've cleaned it up with a dry cloth.

Then I painted it with several coats of acrylic, letting the tin dry in between coats.

Here is my tin in mysterious matte black. But it still looks a little blah.

I saw this mural on the door of a restaurant's ladies room. I found it so cheerful! I think it reminded me of a sunny place like California, Florida or maybe even Spain.  

Inspired by these oranges, I painted some on the lid of my tin. 

Because pencil is invisible on blank paint, I sketched using white acrylic paint.

Then I added color -- this watercolor palette worked quite well.

I added some shading and detail with more paint.

Just a hint of an orange orchard.

Designate it for crafting supplies. Make it into a sewing kit. Or use it to wrap gifts instead of the traditional box and wrapping paper.

And that is how I turned a tin container from blah to TADA!

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Tin Transformations Part 1

Hello guys! 

I like to reuse packaging for different purposes like gift wrapping, Easter baskets, hostess gifts, or holiday boxes.  

Whenever I come across an almost-empty container, I try to dream up ways on how they can be recycled. 

Such is the case for this tiny tin, once a container for cranberry-flavored lip balm.

I cleaned it with a damp cloth and dried it really well to avoid any rust-formation.

I painted it with black acrylic to cover the label. Now, I am left with a blank slate.

via Pinterest

I had just watched the movie "The Goldfinch", based on the book by Donna Tartt. And the story is inspired by an actual painting. 

I thought I'd challenge myself to paint a goldfinch.

First, I made a sketch with white acrylic paint.

Then I added detail with more paint...TADA!

I can use this little tin to store my sewing pins and small craft materials.

And that is how I turned an empty tin form blah to TADA!

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Treasures from the Trash: A Bench

I love a good bench! It's welcoming and it says "come sit a while", "chill", "hang-out." 

I love it even more when it's free!

I found this by the curbside. While the leather is peeling, its overall shape is intact. Paint and new upholstery are all it needs for its transformation from blah to TADA!

I would choose a neutral-colored fabric for the cushion and update the legs in a dark stain: 

via West Elm 

via All Modern

via bhg.com

Here are possible ways to use the bench:

via Station Home

Put it by the entry way where the family can easily wear their shoes before heading out.

via Article.com

When guests come, they can deposit their bags here instead of on the floor or on the living room couch. 

via Etsy

I like it leaning against a wall for extra seating in the living room.

via My Scandinavian Home

Or position it by a sunny window, making a cozy reading nook.

via Trendir.com

In sleeping quarters, a common way to use it is below the bed for seating and extra storage. 

via WarnaHome

If you have a walk-in closet, a bench comes in handy when planning outfits and packing for trips...or just sitting and admiring your pretty clothes!

via Leva & Bo

Use it for a dressing table, spacious enough for "mommy and me" afternoons or make-up sessions with your best friend.   

via Coco and Kelly

It also provides a more laid back vibe in the dining room...TADA!

If you found a bench like this one, what would you do with it? 

Covered Buttons

Hey, hey, it's all about covered buttons today.

If you have no clue what I'm talking about, here are covered buttons made from vintage Kimono fabric. Aren't the prints pretty? The crafter made the buttons into rings...TADA! 

I think this is a clever way to use up any fabric scraps that you might have.

To make them, here's what you'll need:

(1) Fabric Scraps - always save remnants from your sewing projects and collect them in a box or drawer. You'll find many opportunities to turn them from blah to TADA!

(2) A covered button kit (I bought this at a sewing supply store)

(3) A pair of scissors  to cut the fabric (the circle pattern comes with the kit)

Just by following the instructions on the kit (check out the tutorial here), you can make these buttons in no time. 

This is a fun way to use your new buttons:

Take a few bobby pins, ideally the ones with a flat disk (also from the craft store)...

Then with a glue gun, attach the covered buttons onto the disk and let the glue dry for a few hours.

And here we have dainty hairpins for young and old...TADA!

In a previous post, I made some crochet flowers and used the covered button as a cute accent. 

At the back I sewed on a hair elastic and my crochet flower became a ponytail holder...TADA!

Hooray for covered buttons!

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An Origami Crane

Hey everyone, how nice to see you today!

I'm a big fan of packaging design. Many times, I've bought the item just because it came in a beautifully designed box or bottle. I'm also partial to the ones that can be recycled and reused.

A friend of mine vacationed in Tokyo and gave me a few bags of Kitkat. Unlike the chocolate or white chocolate varieties popular in the U.S., Japan has an excellent assortment of flavors! 

This is the Matcha or Green Tea flavor. I happen to love Matcha so this was right up my alley. It might, however, be an acquired taste for some who haven't had Matcha flavored drinks or desserts. 

Anyway, back to the packaging. I can't read Japanese but I loved this little detail: we can repurpose the package as Origami paper. 

Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes like boxes, flowers, and hearts.

The use of photos really help convey a message. Plus, if we hover our phones over the QR code...  

...we're immediately taken to their website.

And we're given instructions on how to fold an Origami crane. Really fun and interactive!

I opened up the package by cutting the sides.

Then I trimmed it into an 8 inch x 8 inch square.

Using the instructions, I began folding, folding, folding...

Until I made a crane...TADA!

Legend has it that if one folds one thousand cranes, his/her wish will come true. This is just a baby step in that direction.

But I'm quite pleased that this package meant for the trash, I was able to turn from blah to TADA!

If you'd like to make your own Origami crane using paper you have on hand, check this and this out.

via Poetry Society of America

And because we're on the topic of origami cranes, I'm sharing this poem that I spotted on the New York subway in 2019. I love the line, "What we create may save us."

Have a good week!