Are you one of those crafters who hoards things like empty bottles and cans for future use?  Me too, much to my husband’s chagrin.  But when the blogosphere is full of so many great ideas for reusing them, like this elegant recycled can vase by Karen at Shabby Sweet Cottage, it’s hard not to hang onto at least a few odds and ends just in case inspiration strikes!  I love how she used embossed wallpaper to give the can a subtle yet eye-catching texture.  (Can’t find the embossed wallpaper at a reasonable price?  There is a local discount store in my town that sells closeouts and odd lots, and they almost always have this kind of wallpaper for a lot less than you would pay at regular retail stores, so keep an eye out for good deals on it in unexpected places!)  [how to make elegant recycled can vases]

Project estimate:

• Recycled can, on hand
• Embossed wallpaper, about $5 and up
• Ribbon, on hand or $1
• Embellishments, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  about $5 and up