Upcycled Tin Can Christmas Lambs: A Whimsical Holiday Delight

If you like saving your tin cans for unexpected upcycling projects, you will love today’s Tin Can Christmas Lambs project. The wooly lambs are very whimsical and easy to make. Don’t throw away your toilet paper rolls either, because I made a few lambs with those also. Both only take a few recycled materials for crafts, and you’ll be amazed at how cute they are.

I recently purchased a cute felt-covered reindeer, and it was so simple that it sparked this idea to make some wooly Christmas lambs.

So I pulled out a few tin cans, purchased some fleece fabric, gathered some twigs, and was ready to go.

I know you will love both the tin can and toilet paper versions.

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Budget-Friendly Recycle Materials For Crafts

Y’all know that I love a budget-friendly project and have shared many recycled materials for crafts ideas. One of my favorites is upcycling tin cans. I have several projects and will share a list at the end of this post.

I have never attempted a tin can Christmas project before and thought these cute Christmas lambs would look whimsical, all fat and round.

In addition, I used some old wooden beads left over from another project for this tutorial and gathered some twigs for the legs. I only used a small amount of felt fabric for the ears and nose.

So, other than the fleece fabric, the project was free.

What Is The Difference Between A Lamb and A Sheep?

Lambs are babies less than 12 months old, and sheep are over 12 months old. Although I share two sizes of sheep today, I consider them all lambs because they are super fluffy and remind me of babies.

The whimsical design of the sheep today just feels more like a lamb. However, you can call them whatever you want. They are a perfect project for a recycled materials craft.

Supplies Christmas Lambs

Here are the supplies for the tin can Christmas Lambs or Sheep. LOL

• 15 oz. recycled tin can
• Sherpa Fleece Fabric – I found mine at Hobby Lobby, and you can purchase less than a yard. Also, check with Michaels.
• Large wooden bead 2-inch (option: roll a ball of aluminum foil if you don’t have a bead)
• Brown and tan felt fabric
• Small twigs
• Hot Glue Gun
• Finger Protectors
• Scissors
• Hammer and large nail for punching hole in the can.
• Ribbon optional

If you want to make a toilet paper roll Christmas Lamb, the supplies are the same except for the few substitutions below.

• Save toilet paper rolls.
• Medium wooden bead approximately 1-inch (option: roll a ball of aluminum foil if you don’t have a bead)
• Ice PIck or other sharp object to punch a hole

DIY Tin Can Christmas Lamb with Recycled Materials

If you love recycling materials for crafts, this project is for you.

Let’s gather our supplies and get started.

Prepare to Upcycle Tin Can

Begin by punching holes in the tin can for the lamb’s legs.

Use a large nail and hammer to punch four holes. Two in the front and two at the rear of the can. Position the holes approximately 1 inch apart.

You can punch the holes in the toilet paper roll with an ice pick. Hold the roll from the inside to keep it from collapsing.

How To Add Legs to Tin Can Christmas Lamb

Now, you can add the legs or twigs to the tin can.

Cut 4 similar size twigs approximately 5 inches long. Be sure the twigs will fit inside the holes on the can or paper roll.

To attach the legs, add a scrap of the fleece to the inside of the can with hot glue.

Place the scrap fleece at the spot where the twigs will meet. Add the twigs and press into the fleece.

Add hot glue to the twigs inside the can and around each one on the outside of the can or toilet paper roll. Set aside to allow the glue to dry.

Make Lambs Head

While the glue is drying, let’s make the lambs head. If you don’t have a wooden bead, you can make the head by simply rolling aluminum foil into a ball the size you desire.

Note: Be sure to wear the finger protectors for this step.

Cut a piece of fleece in a circular shape that is large enough to cover the wooden bead. Add hot glue and begin wrapping the fleece around the bead.

Continue wrapping and adding hot glue until the bead is 100% covered. It is okay if it is not completely round at this point.

How Cover Tin Can Christmas Lamb with Fleece?

You can add the fleece fabric to the tin can Christmas lamb.

Cut the fleece fabric wide enough to cover the around the can and allow approximately two extra inches to the length of the can.

Lay the lamb with legs upward on the center of the fabric’s backside. Using scissors, cut a slit in the fabric along the sides in alignment with the legs. Don’t go beyond the leg placement. Refer to the image for approximate length.

Add hot glue to the center of the can between the legs, wrap the fleece fabric around it, and press to adhere.

Repeat for all sections, being sure to overlap the fabrics to avoid any gaps. Apply hot glue to the ends of the fabric and press until all ends are covered.

Add a generous amount of hot glue to the bottom of the head. Press at the end of the lamb and hold until it is dry.

Trim the Christmas Lamb

Finally, using the felt fabric, a small triangle from the tan fabric. Using a small dot of hot glue, attach it to the approximate center of the head. Cut two oval shapes for the ears and attach to the top of the head.

Roll a small piece of the sherpa fleece fabric and attach it to the back end of the lamb to form a tail.

Upcycled Tin Can Christmas Craft

The upcycled tin can Christmas craft is finished, and I opted for a whimsical look. The wooly Christmas lamb is super sweet with a pink bow.

In addition, the smaller toilet paper roll lambs carry a cheap Dollar Tree bottle brush tree. The tree is tied to the lamb with a small pink ribbon.

Combining the upcycled tin can Christmas lamb with the toilet paper roll lambs creates a fun vignette with pink bottle brush trees from Dollar Tree. Using recycling materials for crafts is good for the environment, and look how cute these are.

See more of this room in the upcoming Christmas bedroom ideas.

Thanks for stopping by today, and I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

Decorating with DIY Lambs Beyond Christmas

Although the adorable lambs make great Christmas decorations, they are equally adorable throughout the year. To continue enjoying your lambs, remove the bottle brush trees and change the ribbon to match your seasonal decor.

They look so cute on a wall shelf or on a bathroom tray.

They also look great under a glass cloche in the living room.

Additional Upcycled Tin Can Projects

Here are some of my other upcycled tin can projects. Click on each title to see the full tutorials.

• How To Upcycle Tin Cans With Foraged Twigs
• DIY Fall Wreath Made With Rusted Tin Cans
• Recycle Tin Cans for a gorgeous centerpiece.
• How to make DIY Plant Pockets with Recycled Aluminum Flowers
• 14 Recycle and Reuse Decor Ideas

Resources

Click the images below for resources and supplies.

Don’t miss this year’s gift guides. Each guide will be updated with early Black Friday Sales.

Pin It To Remember It

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