I have been playing around with different things to make from the many beer cans as we send away plenty in recycling from here at Coombe Mill. I take it as a sign of happy holiday makers! So far I’ve looked at tin can flowers and pretty tea light holders and made some sparkly eyes with the children here to scare away the crows and protect our chicken eggs. This time I experimented with opening the cans out and have turned them into pretty tin can butterflies perfect for use in the garden bringing a splash of summer fun at any time of year.
What you’ll need
Beer can
Small knife with a pointed tip
Kitchen scissors
Marker pen
Hammer
Nail
Method
Make an entry point into the top of the can with the knife
Cut from the entry point round with scissors and remove the lid
Repeat for the base.
Cut up the can to make a flat sheet
Fold lightly inside out and mark half a butterfly outline freehand
Cut along the drawn line and watch your butterfly spring into shape.
Use a nail and hammer to attach to a fence panel or tree.
A few Extras you could try
Try cutting some different shapes, a longer tail and closer wings makes a good dragonfly
Pin to a stick and pop into the ground to decorate a flower bed or Fairy Garden
A vlog tutorial on making tin can butterflies
Joining in with Trash 2 Treasure
If you have post about something you have made with something from nature or something you would have otherwise have thrown away please come and share on Trash 2 Treasure. The linky will run on the 1st Monday of every month and stay open for the full month. Posts can take any form, all that matters is that the item made has primarily been upcycled from something of little value or found in nature. Leaves and loo rolls, sticks and staples, there are so many throw away items which, with a little imagination, can be turned into something of value. Most of my something from nothing craft tutorials will come from fun keepsakes we have made with the children in our farm activity hour but sometimes I will share bigger upcycling projects from Farmer Nick too. I hope through the linky to acquire some new ideas and I welcome all posts old and new.
A little extra from the awesome folk at Duck Tape Colours
Trash to Treasure is sponsored by Duck Tape Colours, makers of colourful tape to add pattern and sparkle to all your upcycling projects. My favourite upcycling post each month will receive 3 colourful rolls of tape to inspire your next project. Do check out their website for plenty of creative ideas.
My June winner of the duck tape colours is Sarah from TheRealLaraShoe with a creative Junk Modelling session with her children.
As always there were some wonderful upcycled ideas last month, Please keep them coming.
“Tales from the farmers wife” shares life on our lovely holiday farm with Farmer Nick and our 6 children. Step into our beautiful 30 acres and experience nature close up with farming and educational crafts in stunning North Cornwall. Family, fun and adventure start here.