Can Organizers

      I'm always in need of more organization and being a bit of an environmentalist and living in an apartment complex that has no recycling pick up I decided to start reusing as many things I can. With the fact that my husband and I eat a lot of canned foods I decided to start there. And here is the first thing I came up with. Can organizers.  These pictures show larger cans but I plan to make several smaller ones as well.

  

 



Supplies:

• Empty and well cleaned can. (I prefer the regular cans that you have to use a opener to open, not the pull tab cans. I don't like the rim left on the pull tab cans.)
• Yarn(s). (Leftover yarn from other projects are wonderful for this project!)
• Hot glue gun
• Beads, buttons, trim, ribbon, rhinestones or any other items you may want to decorate your can with. 

How To: 

1. Gather supplies and heat up your hot glue gun. Make sure you are working on a surface that you won't mind some glue getting on. 
2. Starting at the bottom rim of the can attach the very end of your yarn with a dab of glue.
3. For the first few rows I fully attach the yarn with the glue to keep any pieces from slipping around the edges. Working about an inch at a time to make sure you don't have to reapply glue.
4. After the first few rows are in place continue wrapping the yarn around the can attaching with a small dab of hot glue every 1- 1 1/2 inches. 
5. When you reach the top of the can attach the last few rows just like you did the the first 2. 
6. Remove as much of the hot glue "strings" as you can. 
7. Now attach your decorations. This is a great time to hide any glaring spots of glue that might be peaking threw the yarn or that got on the outside of the yarn.
8. Now fill them up and show them off!

These are so much fun! Do you have a large coffee can? Use it as a mail catcher or for all those takeout menus. What about those small tuna or cat food cans? How about for your jewelry, buttons, beads, or even your keys! Get creative!