Recycling products has become a way of like for most of us (I hope) and recycling by reusing has long been part of my home keeping. For example, I do not use plastic containers for leftover food. I save glass and plastic jars from products such as peanut butter, salad dressing, applesauce and the like. These work extremely well for leftovers as you can easily see what is in the jar and the jars can take the wear and tear of the dishwasher. This project is a good reuse project and a very simple one to complete. How nice would it be to have one of these little cans filled with flowers on the door of your guest room to great your lodgers?! Hang it over the end of the bedpost or make several and hang them on a wall. Wherever you decide to place it, the vase will become a special memory.

Materials

Instructions

1. Completely remove the lid from the can. Clean it thoroughly and remove the label in the process. I used a tomato paste can. As you can see, the label was securely held in place. The glue was something like rubber cement but I could not easily peel off the glue. I used a knife to scrape it and then a steel wool soap pad to clean off the remainder. Make sure the inner rim is not jagged or sharp. Sand it with sandpaper, if needed. You may use any size can, depending on the look you want to achieve.
2. Cut a piece of scrap wood to fit inside the can. This will support the can while it is being pushed to punch the holes for the ribbon or twine. Another way to offer support is to fill the can with water and freeze it. The ice will hold the shape of the can while you punch or drill.
3. Punch a hole on each side of the can across the diameter about ½” from the rim. I started with a hammer and a nail, but found that my drill, fitted with a 5/32” drill bit made very short and neat work of this step. Make sure the can is well supported while punching the holes. I put my can in a vise and supported it from below with a block of wood. Make sure the scrap wood is in place inside the can so that you punch or drill into it. This will help keep the shape of the can intact and also keep you from going too far with the punch or drill.
4. At this point, check to make sure the holes are not too jagged on the inside of the can. Sand, if needed. Cut a piece of twine or ribbon to the desired length. I cut mine about 8” long. If you are using a bigger can, or want a smaller can to hang lower, use a longer piece. Thread the ribbon or twine through the hole and tie a knot large enough so that it will not slip through the hole. I made double knots on the inside of the can, but you could have the knots on the outside of the can, if you’d like. Repeat for the other side.
5. Fill your new vase about ¾ full with water and arrange some flowers. I used some painted daisies, santolina buds, lemon balm and mint (nicely scented), and some dried grass seed heads. You might select to fill the can with all the same flowers or a single pretty bud. Hang the vase from a doorknob or bedpost and enjoy!

by Garden Maven Peg