During the summer, I love grilling and eating dinner outside on the deck. I recently read a post about making dinner time more enjoyable for the family: going the extra mile to make the table setting nicer, encouraging conversation, listening to music, etc. Let me be honest, dinnertime at our house is not always a sit-down, have-a-long-conversation type event. Many times we’re eating at different times, heating up various leftovers, trying to hurry up and eat before heading out the door to some event. Sound familiar? While I am sure we will still have those nights, I wanted to start putting more effort into the nights we are home and enjoying a meal together. So, I decided to start by sprucing up the table for our outside meals.
I was strolling through Michaels not that long ago and saw these tin can lanterns:
This is one of those times I thought to myself, “I can just make those!” (Well, at least something similar.)
Here’s What You’ll Need
Leftover Tin Cans (from canned veggies, baked beans, whatever)- Permanent Marker (or a stencil design)
- Hammer & Nail
- Sandpaper
- Spray Paint
- Tea Candles (or battery operated tea candles)
Directions
Start by taking the labels off your cans, and removing any of the sticky glue. This may require a little Goo Gone.
If you are going to freehand your design, do so with a permanent marker, using dots to create your pattern. The reason you want to do your pattern at this point is because once the water freezes, there will be condensation that will make it difficult to draw on the design. If using a stencil, you can wait until after your water has frozen.
Fill each can with water and place in the freezer, allowing the water to freeze completely. I put all my cans into a pan covered with a dish towel. Give the cans ample time to freeze. I tried starting before the water had completely frozen (I’m impatient like that sometimes) and I ended up with a dented, wet can. Trust me, just wait… like 24 hours.
Once frozen, remove the tins from the freezer. If using a stencil, apply to the tin. (I just printed off patterns from Google Images.) I went with random swirls and stars, but you can do whatever you want. If you are going to use these for a holiday, you can create a design to match the theme. Using your hammer and nail, pound the nail into the dots you created for your design, making sure the nail goes through the can.
Once your ice melts (which is really fast on a 90° day), pour out the water and thoroughly dry the can. Lightly sand the outside. Pick your favorite spray paint, and spray away. I love how spray paint can completely change the look of things. I have some fun, summery colors I used for this project. (Now if I could just find coral spray paint, I’d be set!)
Once the paint has dried, you can insert the candles and use the lanterns on your table, or anywhere you feel would be a good spot. *Be careful as you insert and light your candles, there are sharp spots from the nails going through the can!
These are so cute, Erin! I love all of the bright and bold summer colors. So glad to hear that my dinnertime post inspired you. 🙂 You and your family are going to have a lovely table at which to enjoy a meal together. Here’s to summer grilling/eating outside season!
I love the idea of putting holes into tins and making them into lanterns. This sounds like one of those activities that my kids would probably love to help with too. It will be like carving pumpkins, but they will(hopefully) last longer than a week.
Great project for kids, maybe they can create the design and you can pound in the nails (smashed fingers is no fun for little ones). And I’m willing to bet they’ll last longer than pumpkins 🙂
This is so smart! I would never have thought to freeze them. And they turned out so beautiful–nice work!
Thanks Debora! I actually remember making something similar to this at a church event when I was about 10. They had frozen the water into tin buckets. If you don’t have something solid inside, you just end up with a very dented can, and that’s not so pretty 🙂
Great project! I’ve always wanted to try something like this–you’ve inspired me!
Awesome! This was such an easy project (as most of my DIY ideas are). If I can do it, I am certain you can as well.
Thanks for stopping over Kathleen; have a wonderful evening!
Hey, that looks easy! Will have to try!
Super easy! And I love how they look in the evening.
I love how you turned regular boring tin cans into so fun and colorful!
Thanks Noa!
Cute project, Erin! This is a craft I would actually enjoy and be able to accomplish quickly, both evidently requirements for anything getting done around here ;). Thanks for the idea!
Thanks Sharon! Really, the only DIY I do is simple and quick, otherwise I lose my motivation. Enjoy your day! Aren’t you headed to the Haven Conference?
Yep–at the airport waiting to board. Get ready for a long email filling you in on what I learn!
Can’t wait to hear about everything! Have fun!!!
OMG that’s a great idea! i’m def gonna do this!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
Thanks Ellen! Enjoy your day!