Today is March, 10 so that means Spring is only 10 days away! It also is my only grand-daughter’s 8th birthday! Did you know on the first day of Spring you can stand eggs up on their end? Every year my son does this for her, hoping he can do all 8 this year!
Baleigh’s 5th Birthday!
Spring is also the time of year when they tap the sugar maples here in Western Pennsylvania. While living in St. Marys, PA, my husband and I had the privilege of seeing how the whole process is done. One of church members invited us over to watch her and her husband make the syrup. It was very interesting, wish I had some photos to show you. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup! A very time consuming task, but the taste is soooo gooooood. So, I felt it only appropriate to make this maple syrup bucket!
I purchased this popcorn tin at Goodwill last week for $2.
Being from Pittsburgh, I was just going to leave it as I found it and use it for as my popcorn bowl….oh yes, I could easily eat a gallon of popcorn! However, I was inspired to do this label after seeing an old gallon tin with this label on it on a prim site I was visiting (don’t ask me which one, because I don’t remember agh)
After doing a google search, I found one I could use.
Since it was 9:00 pm before I decided to start this project, rather than spray paint the can, I used a sea sponge and some acrylic paints.
First, I dabbed a layer of black all over the tin,
except for the front where the label was going to go…no point in painting something I will cover anyway.
After the black paint dried, I put some Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre and Raw Sienna on a paper plate. I took the sponge and dabbed a corner into all three colors…don’t dab in the same spot, but try to get paint on 3 areas of your sponge. Then just dab all over the can. We are trying to make it look old and rusty.
While the paint is drying, I printed off the label and made a mixture of instant coffee and water (you just need a small amount, so 1 tsp of coffee to 1/2 cup of hot water).
I tore the edges of my paper label to make it look like it’s been around for a long time. I left the bottom edge straight.
Place the label on a cookie sheet and paint the label with the coffee mixture. Put into a 200 degree oven for about 5-10 minutes or until the paper is dry.
Once the label is dry, paint the back of the label with some Mod Podge. Place the straight edge of the label even with the bottom lip of the can and smooth out any wrinkles. You also want to make sure the label fits between the handles of your can. If some of your paint comes off the can, you can always go back and touch it up.
Now, paint the entire can with the Mod Podge. I used the Matte finish.
After the first coat of Mod Podge dries, you can do another coat to seal the paint.
There you go, now you have a gallon of Longwood Plantation Syrup!
I have seen these gallon paint cans and Lowes and Home Depot so if you want to make one you don’t have to wait until one shows up at the Thrift Store!
If you want to make one, here is the exact size label I used. Longwood Plantation Syrup Label
Think Spring everyone! If you don’t follow me on Facebook you can do that by clicking the LIKE button on the right hand side of this blog. If you want to leave a comment, you can do that below, I’d love to hear your thoughts or ideas!
Blessings,
Terri
