“Pantry” Raid

Looking for creative gift ideas? Look no further than your pantry. That's right, that little closet in your kitchen is just filled with things awaiting your creative touch. Transform everyday containers into beautiful gifts or gift holders that will be appreciated by your friends or loved ones.

The first thing you need to do is select your container. Some possibilities are coffee cans, tea tins, potato chip canisters, nut cans, specialty food containers, etc. Once you've chosen what you will alter, you need to clean it very well. For metal and plastic containers, empty the container and rinse it out. You may want to use a little soapy water to make sure it is clean enough. Dry it completely with a dish towel or allow it to air dry for several hours. For cardboard containers, shake out any crumbs. I also use a hair dryer to blow out any crumbs that may be stuck in the corners.

Now you are ready to begin your project. Being a scrapbooker, you already have all the supplies you need to get started.

• patterned paper, cardstock
• ribbon, ric-rac
• embellishments such as stickers, tags, buttons, flowers, etc.
• Mod Podge or other adhesive
• sandpaper
• scissors

A few things to keep in mind when altering pantry items:

• For things like cans, tins and plastics, prep the item prior to altering it. Use a fine- to medium-grade sandpaper to roughen up your surface a bit. This will help the paint and/or glue adhere to it.

• Allow the glue to dry completely before adding another layer to prevent your paper from bubbling.

• These types of projects can get pretty messy, so protect your work surface. I usually just use a piece of cardboard, but a plastic tablecloth would work well, too. You may want to keep a box of baby wipes or a wet cloth nearby to wipe up any messes you create.

Here are a few projects that I did using items I had on hand.

Button and Pen Holder

I used a mixed nut can to create this cute storage solution. This would make a great gift for a fellow scrapbooker.

Directions:

1. Empty can and clean completely. Allow to air dry overnight.
2. Lightly sand the surface.
3. Trim patterned paper to fit the can.
4. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge.
5. Add paper and allow to dry completely.
6. Adhere strip of patterned paper, flower, decorative tape and sticker letters.
7. Apply another thin layer of Mod Podge and allow to dry.
8. Add buttons or other embellishments using glue dots.
9. Fill with buttons and pens.

Card File Box

For this project, I used a graham cracker box. I cut the top to flip open like a file box. Handmade cards separated by tabs can be stored inside.

Directions:

1. Remove all crackers and empty box of crumbs. Use a hair dryer to blow out any other crumbs.
2. Cut box open on three sides using a craft knife.
3. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to box.
4. Cover with patterned paper being careful to smooth out any bubbles.
5. Allow to dry completely and then add embellishments using glue dots or other adhesive.

Flower Tin

This would make another great gift for a fellow scrapper. I used a tin that held tea bags to create a holder for small flowers.

Directions:

1. Clean tin completely with soapy water and dry completely.
2. Lightly sand the outer surface.
3. Use Mod Podge to apply patterned paper.
4. Allow it to dry and then add your embellishments.
5. Fill with flowers.

Host/Hostess Gift

I am always looking for inexpensive gifts to bring along to dinners, cookouts, etc. I think this one would be appreciated by any host or hostess. I used a box that held a soup mix to create this one.

Directions:

1. Trim cardstock to cover wording on soup package.
2. Ink cardstock and add letters.
3. Adhere to box using adhesive of your choice.
4. Add patterned paper strip and stickers.
5. Fill box with hot sauce or other sauce.
6. Punch two holes in the top of the box.
7. Tie ribbon and tag through the holes.

Next time you are looking for a fun gift idea, take a peek inside your pantry and let your creativity take over!