I spotted this idea in one of my magazines (think it was Country Living - I subscribe by 4x my Tesco clubcard vouchers!) and I knew instantly that I would try it out. I'd been meaning to try it out over Christmas but just didn't get round to it and so last night when I was making bolognaise and had two empty tin cans (from the chopped tomatoes since you asked!) I decided to try it out.
Fill up your clean tin cans with water and pop them in the freezer. Leave overnight. The water acts as a buffer so you don't distort the shape of the can as you punch.
Roll up a teatowel and position your can onto it (it stops it rolling around while you punch)
Then basically use a hammer and nail to punch holes in any pattern you see fit!
The first few holes :) When you have finished your design leave your cans in a bowl so that the ice can melt. Put them in a bowl rather than just the sink so you collect the water to use on your plants.
Don't they look pretty? I had to sneak down into the freezing cold, dark cellar to get these photographs :)
Fill up your clean tin cans with water and pop them in the freezer. Leave overnight. The water acts as a buffer so you don't distort the shape of the can as you punch.
Roll up a teatowel and position your can onto it (it stops it rolling around while you punch)
Then basically use a hammer and nail to punch holes in any pattern you see fit!
The first few holes :) When you have finished your design leave your cans in a bowl so that the ice can melt. Put them in a bowl rather than just the sink so you collect the water to use on your plants.
Don't they look pretty? I had to sneak down into the freezing cold, dark cellar to get these photographs :)
18 comments:
wow, that's really cool! I think I'll be trying this out.
Lovely! Really want to try this now too, thanks for sharing!
They look great. I might have to have a go too!!
Now they look fab! I don't think I'll be trying it though - I'm a bit of a liability with a hammer! x
So pretty! Great work x
I made loads of these before we had children and hung them in the garden on summer evenings when we had friends round. They last longer if you coat the finished designs in spray radiator paint. xxx
Love it!! Such a brilliant idea!!! I sense that few tins will end up in the recycling bin for a few days!!
I love making this! We used to do make this during blackouts as kids. It's also a great alternative on Halloweens.
great idea, so pretty
twiggy x
We tried this a long time ago at a summer camp I counseled for... they just gave the little kids a can, nail and hammer... none of them came out very well... If they had holes in them they were all crooked, if not then the cans were all bent and dinged. Good idea with the freezing and towel! lol.
Just fab! :)
Cute and fun! I'll do this project with my son soon! He's get a real kick out of it!
:o)
Oooo they look really pretty. Great idea.
Rachael XX
Love this idea! I can always rely on you for pretty upcycling ideas:) I still keep thinking about the security envelope flower thingies.
How cool! The ice idea is great to stop the distortion.
Gorgeous! I saw something about these in the Guardian and keep meaning to have a go so I can put them in my garden for summer. Definitely inspired now x
Ah-ha! Be even more green by filling with water and leaving on back step overnight - no need for electrickery in these freezing cold times!!
I'm impressed with the designs! And you still have all your fingers and thumbs?
I make these for the garden every year, they're great because when you get bored you can just recycle them and make some new designs! Never thought of filling them with ice and using a hammer & nail though, that's going to make life so much easier... I usually just push a bradawl through an empty tin can, unfortunatly this results in me making a sacrifice to the DIY gods (also known as stabbing my finger...)
You can put a wire handle on the top & hang them up too!
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