A Tin Can Kingdom

I have a new project.

It's cute. Really cute.

AND there's a tutorial.

Are you ready?

I think you're going to like this.

Can castles! Tin turrets! Recycled fairy garden towers!

The biggest struggles setting up the summer fairy garden have been the battles with the weather and the critters. This year I was determined to come up with something a little more sturdy to survive the summer and the squirrels. These are the result of all that thinkin'.

I'm kinda in love with them and want to make them in all the colours to dot around my garden. Just look at those blue beauties next to the tall poppies.

Some are topped with roof top gardens (which fairies love btw). Others have really simple pointy cone roofs which are just a bit of burlap sewn into a cone shape, then spray painted. The paint adds some stiffness and helps to prevent fraying. Pretty sure that any stiff fabric would do. My initial thought was to use reusable grocery bags (reusing the reusable!) but the burlap was on hand so I'll do that next time.

And speaking of 'next time'... 

I've made a video tutorial for the basic version of this project so if you haven't already, hop over and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

The video tutorial is below, and below that you'll find the supply round-up. If you're inspired to make your own tin can kingdom and show it off, tag me in your post! I'd love to see what you made. Want to recreate this project for your own blog? Have at it! Just be sure to link back here please-and-thank-you. The credit for the inspiration is appreciated, and it encourages me to share more free projects.

Here's everything you'll need:

Tin cans of all sizes and shapes
Silicone
Spray paint (I recommend using a paint w/ primer)
Bits and bobs for windows & doors

Cardboard
Stir sticks
Burlap
Stones
Soil
Plants and moss

*GooGone for removing label glue from tins
*Nail polish remover will remove SOME ink stamps

Mr. McGregor's Garden

This month AlphaStamps kit is themed "The Garden". Although the thought of a tiny a fairy garden did fleet through my mind, I decided to create a corner of Mr. McGregor's garden instead.

If you need help recalling who Mr. McGregor is, he is the big old meanie who tends the garden that Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny 'visit' in Beatirix Potter's books. That's Peter's jacket on the scarecrow. He lost it in the garden after his mother warned him not to go there.

This corner of the McGregor's garden was created using a Corner Room Box as a base with a Stone Wall Chipboard Texture Sheet* and plaster to achieve the wall. Although difficult to see, there is a brick path edging the soil. Can you guess what was used for the soil? Tea! And all of those sprouting vegetables are deconstructed faux plants/flowers like this Twiggy Leaf Garland*.

The clay pots scattered in the garden, like this Terracotta Wall Planter are super cute. I think they add a touch of extra colour which compliment Peter's blue jacket. And did you notice the brass buttons which Peter was so proud of in the story? They are 3mm Brass Flat-Back Studs*.

And if your chomping at the bit, wanting to create your own garden corner, here's a list of the bits and bobs available from AlphaStamps used in creating this piece:

Corner Room Box
Stone Wall Chipboard Texture Sheet*
Brick Wall Chipboard Texture Sheet*
Stone Rabbit Figurine Set
Tall Wooden Fruit Crate
Aged English Flower Box
Clay Planters with Saucers
Terracotta Wall Planter
Mini Black Wrought Iron Fence
Flower Soft - Peony Pink
Flower Soft - Sweet Pea
3mm Brass Flat-Back Studs*
1 Inch Curly Paper Roses - Pale Pink*
Tiny Paper Roses - Pink Cream Variegated*
Mini Rose Buds - Pink Cream Variegated*
Pink Rose Garland*
Asparagus Fern Garland*
Fern Garland*
Mini Fern Garland*
Twiggy Leaf Garland*

Or you can find them all in one place HERE

OR you this original piece is available for sale HERE

And finally, for a size comparison, here's the wee corner with my coffee mug.