| Tin can luminaries are a fun, easy craft project for all | | | | packing tape, but you canalso use duct tape. The |
| ages. | | | | tape won't stick to the cold can, butyou can wrap |
| They are great for any holiday and only limited by | | | | the tape all the way around the can so it will stickto |
| yourimagination! You can transfer any simple shape | | | | the paper. |
| onto a tin can tocreate a beautiful candle holder for | | | | If you don't have a design on paper, you can also |
| any occasion. | | | | draw a designon the can freehand with a permanent |
| I chose to make luminaries for Christmas this year. | | | | marker. You can also justpunch the design freehand |
| You canchoose any simple design to transfer onto | | | | without drawing it first. |
| your tin can. I used afavorite clip art program on my | | | | Lay the can on a folded dish towel so the towel will |
| computer to look for easy | | | | catch theice chips that try to escape. It will also hold |
| Christmas designs to print out. I chose a Christmas | | | | the can inplace. Using the hammer and nail, tap holes |
| tree, asnowman, and a pair of gingerbread men. | | | | around the border ofyour design, trying to punch |
| Here's what you need to get started: | | | | holes evenly and not too closetogether. You want a |
| - Empty tin cans (washed and labels removed) | | | | simple design so that when you see only theholes in |
| - Design to transfer onto can | | | | the can you will be able to tell what it is! |
| - Hammer | | | | After punching the holes, remove the paper and tape |
| - Large nail | | | | and admireyour design. It is really so easy! If you plan |
| - Tape | | | | to hang yourluminary, also punch two holes at the |
| - Dish towel | | | | top of the can. You canmake a handle out of wire |
| It is easiest to punch the holes in your tin can if you | | | | (from a craft store) or a wire coathanger. |
| freezesome water in it first. Fill the can with water, | | | | Place the tin can under running warm water to melt |
| leaving 1/4inch space at the top for the ice to | | | | the ice. Drythe can with a towel and place a votive |
| expand. Place in freezeruntil frozen. Your can may | | | | candle in the bottom. |
| bulge a little at the bottom while inthe freezer, but | | | | You will need a long lighter or match to light the |
| after you remove the ice you can use the hammerto | | | | candle. |
| flatten out the bottom of the can. | | | | To further decorate your tin can luminary, you can |
| You might want to freeze a couple more cans then | | | | spray paintthe can any color you wish. Be creative! |
| you think you'llneed in case you make a mistake and | | | | This is a great family project. Just make sure kids |
| have to start over again. | | | | have adultsupervision while using the hammer and |
| After the ice has frozen, take the tin can from the | | | | nails. Have fun! |
| freezer andtape your design to the can. I used | | | | |