Coffee Canister Centers

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

Project underway!

I am making centers in coffee canisters for next year.  The idea is to put supplies and directions in one place, number them and then myself, my aides or a substitute could take them out and use them.  Simple right?  Well originally I got the idea from a teacher who had 30 centers in tubs.  It has taken me several years to come up with  a good way to replicate that system.  These coffee canisters are perfect. 

 

The first thing was to choose spray paint.  I didn't really like the colors on the plastic spray paint.  Then I found this Valspar spray paint that goes on almost anything.  Turns out it, works on plastic!!!

 

After choosing two wonderful colors I started painting.   I used green and purple. 

 Then I decided to use paint the lids too. Probably more trouble than its worth!  They would have looked fine with the black lids and saved me a headache.

I had some company for my adventure.

And living in Nevada when it looks like this and is 100 degrees outside things dry quickly. 

 

After they were dry I used the Cricuit and the calendar cartridge to cut the numbers.   I love Mod Podge.  Goes on messy dries clear and wonderful! 

 

My finished product is wonderful and I can't wait to fill them with activities and use them this year.  I will post some of the activities as I work on them.

I was just looking at the pictures from my transportation unit when I taught special education preschool. 

The road signs were a great activity!!! 

I also did a hot air balloon activity with a helium balloon shaped like a frog and a paper bag.  I will look for the pictures they did a great job with heavier and lighter and predicting. 

RUFFLES!!!!

I have new fascination with ruffles!   I never wanted anything to do with ruffles before, especially as a girl.  But now......I want to know what else I could put them on.


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First - Matching fabric...or not.   That part is up to you.   Cut into strips based on how much material you want to have on your sweatshirt.
*I don't know why I picked my favorite color since it was children's size and knew I was going to give it away.*



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 Second -Run a loose stitch down the middle.  (Make sure to leave extra long tails on both ends.  If you don't you have to start over!!!  I already made that mistake.)  After you sew the loose stitch with the tails, start ruffling.  You can make it as ruffly as you want.

If you don't like the frayed look on the material you can zig zag the edges.

 I like how simple and easy it was without the zig zag.  But as I re-think this... if you or who ever is going to wear it, is going to be washing it a lot you might want to zig zag the edges. 




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Third -  I suggest laying it out next to the zipper and make sure you like the look then pin it.  Once your disorganized ruffles are pinned to your jacket, right next to your zipper, you can start sewing.  Be careful of the zipper.  You don't want to sew on the zipper.

And the beautiful final product!!!! 

  So easy, I promise!

Good Luck!