I think I’ve told you before that I have trouble throwing away containers–glass jars with lids, large cans with lids, plastic containers with lids, etc. I just always think I’m going to need them for something, so I hang on to them. So since I have a surplus of containers, and since I already had my wood veneer out from this cabinet makeover from last week, I decided to do a quick and easy project — a wood veneer-wrapped coffee can to create a pretty vase.
Projects really don’t get much easier than this. 
I started with a can, a piece of wood veneer that I cut about four inches longer than the circumference of the can, and about two inches taller than the can. I also made sure that the bottom edge of the veneer was a factory-cut edge so that I knew it was perfectly straight. I used the adhesive-backed veneer for this.
I wrapped the veneer around the can, lining up the bottom edge of the veneer with the bottom edge of the can. I overlapped the veneer about two inches. The veneer wouldn’t stick to the can very well since it’s not a flat surface, so it’s important that the veneer overlaps so that it will hold.
Next I used my X-acto knife to trim the excess wood veneer from the top edge of the can. Then using my framing square, I scored a straight line on the end of the veneer. Actually, I scored it about three or four times.
That made it very easy to snap off the rough edge of the veneer, leaving a very straight cut.
After all of the veneer was cut, I handed it over to the quality control manager, who thoroughly checked my work. 
Then I sanded all of the rough edges. One thing I love about wood veneer is that the edges are very easy to sand so that you can get a perfectly smooth edge. (Below, I hadn’t yet sanded to top rim of the veneer, but I had sanded the bottom rim and the overlapped edge that I had just cut.)
Next I stained it…just like wood…’cause it is wood.
Now of course, from this point, there are about a million different ways you could decorate and embellish this little vase. You could paint a design, use stencils, make fun labels, wrap some jute around it…so many options. I opted for three simple little stripes…just enough to add a little color.
And when everything was dry, I finished up with a little finishing wax.
And that’s it! A fairly quick and simple DIY vase from a coffee can.
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I'm an interior decorator-turned-blogger, and a DIY fanatic. My blog is where I share 
Love this Kristi! Super cute, inexpensive, AND simple! Thanks for sharing!
Lindsey’s Latest Post..American Max
That’s one of the easiest projects I’ve seen, and I love it. It’s a very creative idea and now it’s got me thinking of other things I could do with wood veneers.
Happy July 4th to you and all my American bloggers (I live in England).
Anne @diy projects’s Latest Post..5 Ways To Refresh Home Exteriors
Adorable! Question though – what are the flowers? They’re so pretty!
That flower is called Polka Dot Vinca. I found it at Home Depot with the hanging basket plants. Confession: The centers are actually a pretty pinkish red, but that clashed with my vase, so I did a little photo retouching and made them orange.
Hah! Suddenly “Painting the Roses Red” is running through my mind! (Painting the Vincas orange! Painting the Vincas orange!)
Super cute! Can I get wood veneer at Lowes/HD?
Christine Leahy’s Latest Post..Freedom Isn’t Free
Thanks, Christine! I’ve ever seen the kind I have (the adhesive-backed veneer) at Lowe’s or Home Depot. You can order it on the Wood All Amazon store.
Thanks Kristi! I thought I was asking a dumb question but I’m glad I asked!
Christine Leahy’s Latest Post..DIY Kitty Cat Door Mat
Cute! Love seeing all the CRAFTY stuff you come up with. I need inside that brain
Shannon Fox’s Latest Post..Blogging Without Borders {facing my DIY fears}
What a Great Brilliant Idea! So Simple- and Looks SO SO CUTE!!! Thank you for sharing this!
Jen @ Four Marrs & One Venus’s Latest Post..Get Your Chef On is BACK ~ Coconut!
While the project is so pretty and impressive, I just want to say that I am also impressed with your quality control manager!
What, no tuna in the vase? LOL Love the kitty pic.
Great project.
What a great idea! I recently wrote an article on working with wood…it has some helpful tips you can check it out here…http://projectsforwood.com Thanks
Michael’s Latest Post..Projects with Wood