Tuesday, October 19, 2010

project: tin can luminaries

Things Needed:

Empty vegetable or soup cans, cleaned out and labels removed

Water
Nail
Hammer
Towel
Halloween clip art
Tape
Spray paint

”tin


1.  Begin by filling the cans up to the top with water, then place them in the freezer until the water is frozen solid.  This will allow you to hammer a nail into the side of the can without the can denting.  The bottom of your cans might bulge out but don't worry, you can hammer them flat after you are done with your design and the ice has meted.

”tin

2.  Next, get your designs and or clip art ready.  I traced some Halloween cookie cutters for mine.  Cut a square around your templates, place on the can and tape into place. If you would like to use my templates click here


”tin

3.  Begin to make the tin can luminaries by using a nail and hammer to punch out the design.  Start at one end of the pattern and place the nail along the line.  Gently pound the nail in with a hammer.  The nail will go through the can into the ice.  Continue working around the pattern until the design is punched out.

4.  Run your can under hot water to melt the ice and then dry the can completely.  If the bottoms of your tin cans bulged during freezing now would be the time to put a towel over the bulge and hammer it back into place.


”tin

5.  Next, spray paint your cans inside and out.  Protect your work surface with newspapers and use good ventilation.


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6.  When your cans have dried you are ready to illuminate, add a little sand to weigh them down and add a tea light candle.

Enjoy!!!

4 comments:

  1. Those are so cute. We did something like that when I was younger and they turned out so cute. Thanks for linking up to Tuesday Tell All.

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  2. Love them! That last photo (a little blurry) is the perfect spooky shot!

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  3. These look like a lot of fun!
    Kathy

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  4. Oh my how fun are these!!?! Sooo creative! I'm so excited to be your newest follower of your sweet blog and I would love to have you as a friend at Frou Frou Decor! Be sure to link up your creations each week at my Fabulous Friday Finds party! Hope to see you there!
    Hugs,
    ~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

    ReplyDelete

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