{DIY Monday} Easter Favor ~ Part 1 of 2

It's DIY Monday!  Okay... I know it's Tuesday, but to be honest I was so busy yesterday I completely forgot... oops.  So I do apologize for the late posting, but as they say, "Better late than never!"

With Easter only a few weeks away I thought I'd share a cute little project that my son and I did last year.  It was so easy and everyone loved them.  Plus they looked fabulous on our Easter brunch table!!

Notice the little cans on each place setting?  

This will be a 2 part instructional:  In Part 1 of 2, I will show you how to make the cans and in Part 2 of 2, I will show you how to make the finger stamped egg ornament (this is where you and your kids will have the most fun!)

Before you get started you'll need to gather the following supplies:

-Soup Cans (empty, with the labels removed)

-Wire (about 8"-10" per can)

-Craft Paint

-Paint Brush

-Shredded Paper or Easter Grass

-Ribbon

-Tags

First you'll need to use a small paper punch or other punch to make two small holes in the can (one on each side, near the top) where the wire will go.  It's best to do this before you paint the can so you don't scratch off the paint.  After you're finished with this it's time to paint!

You can spray the cans at this point, if you choose.  Unfortunately here in Michigan it's only about 20 degrees outside and since my husband won't let me spray paint inside, I chose to hand paint them.   Plus I like the vintage, weathered look hand painting gives them.   I used 2 coats of paint and a layer of satin clear coat (optional - depends if you want a flat or shiny finish).

Once the paint has dried you're ready to insert the wire, which will become the handle.

Insert wire into one of the holes (from the outside).

Twist the wire to secure it.  Depending on how thick your wire is, you may have to use pliers to twist the end flat.

Repeat on the other side, making sure to insert the wire from the outside, and your handle is complete!

Now all that's left to do is stuff it with some paper shreds or Easter grass, add some ribbon and a tag!!

You can put any tag on them, for this one I used a simple tag and wrote Happy Easter, but for the ones I did last year, I actually did some research on the history of the Easter egg and wrote a cute little story about it.

Next week I'll show you how to make the cute egg ornament, so be sure to check back!  

Of course, these little beauties are so cute that they can be used for just about anything ~ Birthday Parties, Showers, Mother's Day, May Day, 4th of July, Halloween, Christmas, etc.  Just paint them the colors you need and stuff them with candy, soaps, tea, flowers...  The possibilities are truly endless!  Oh and don't forget... they're easy, cheap and a great way to recycle!!!

Have fun and don't forget to email pictures of your creations to partynv@comcast.net, you just might get featured in a future post!