Cake Tin Decoupage Makeover

The other day I was looking for something in my crafting stash when I came across this old, white, topless tin.

It's the bottom half of a container that held a really yummy cake we received at Christmas from one of my husband's vendors.


Too pretty to toss, I added it to the "someday I'll do something with it" pile and forgot all about it.

Then in February, I stumbled upon it and decided to use the lid to make a very charming DIY clock.

But that bottom was returned to the old pile again since I had no idea what to do with it.

However, this time, as soon as I saw it, I knew.

Maybe it was the spring weather or the flowers that have finally been popping up for sale in the nurseries.

I'm not really sure what prompted that lightbulb to spark, but suddenly it was clear.

That metal tin needed to be a planter and it needed to be pink!


Not a problem, since I happen to have a drawer full of pink napkins. I'm sort of obsessed with them, which is funny, since I really don't have any pink rooms my house anymore.

Ah well, maybe that's why I crave it.

Regardless, the plan was to decoupage the tin, like I've done before, but with two napkin patterns this time instead of one.

GET THE FLORAL NAPKINS//GINGHAM NAPKINS HERE

It was a bit different than my usual decoupage DIYs and a little more involved, but overall the basic process was the same. 

Since the tin already had a clean white base, I didn't need to paint it. So I started by opening my napkins and separating the layers. To make sure I removed all the layers, without a struggle, I used a piece of clear tape.

I placed it on the back corner, pulled gently and in a jiffy the front patterned layers were released from the others. Magic.

Then I cut out the area I wanted to feature, leaving extra above the flower to wrap over the top edge of the tin to center the design.

The key to cutting clean napkin edges is to go very slow and use very sharp scissors. I generally cut my pieces out after I seperate the layers, because sometimes the napkin rips during that process.

Although, the tape trick eliminates most of that.


Next, I added my Dixie Belle Satin Sealer - I prefer it over Mod Podge - just to the inside top of the tin to anchor the napkin.

I left the sides free so I could slip the gingham napkin underneath it to create a nice, finished edge.

Then I cut the pink gingham napkin into strips wide enough to cover the tin.


I added the sealer to the tin, sparingly, with a wide brush and placed the gingham napkin gently under the edge of the floral napkin.


And continued to glue it in place, smoothing it down as I went, all the way around to back of the tin.

I repeated the process on the other side of the floral napkin, and let it all dry, before giving the entire tin a top coat of sealer.

As the napkins dried, they continued to bubble and wrinkle, regardless of my intervention.

The ones I used were very thin and difficult to work with...no matter how much I tried to smooth them out with a gloved hand, they wouldn't comply. 


To be honest, I don't love decoupage with napkins, I much prefer DECOUPAGE SHEETS OR RICE PAPER especially on round or slick surfaces.

They're sturdier, don't rip or tear, they lie flat without all those bumps and wrinkles and I can shop for specific patterns rather than hoping to stumble upon a decorative napkin pack to suit my season or holiday.

In the past, napkins were much cheaper, but now I would say the cost is close, especially if you don't plan to repeatedly use the same napkin pattern for decoupage over and over again. 

Of course, napkins are sold everywhere and the ones hanging out on the checkout line at HomeGoods are particularly tempting. That makes those wrinkles a little bit easier to bear.

Good thing I like that worn and weathered look.

Anyhoo...once the napkins were totally dry, I used my nail file to clean up the edges, added a plastic liner and a few pebbles to the bottom for drainage and voila.

My boring cake tin to charming spring planter project was complete.


It was such a cheerful and colorful upgrade. 

It made me smile no matter where I put it.


It added a bright pop in my family room.

And looked right at home next to my new kitchen sink, too. 


So good that I might need to order a cake for myself.

Just so I can make another planter.

Well...and maybe have a few bites of cake, too. 😉

What do you do with old tins?

Do tell!

Here are a few more NAPKIN DECOUPAGE DIYS just for fun:

• Creating Vintage Style Crates
• Mini Sled Makeover
• Decoupage Drink Coasters
• Napkin Covered Flameless Candles

Happy Crafting, Friends!