Tin can lanterns
As dusk falls, my husband and I gravitate toward the garden. We can usually be found lounging in our hammock, sharing dinner with friends, or just enjoying an evening stroll. At these times, the halogen patio light outside our back door seems too harsh. Instead, we turn to candlelight to set a mood. These punched-tin lanterns add a folk-art touch to the garden and are fun and easy to create.
You will need:
A variety of leaves with interesting, bold shapes
Sheets of vellum paper
Masking tape
Permanent black marker
Metal cans, labels removed
Sand and water
Towel
Hammer and nails
Spray paint in white or off-white as well as colors of your choice
Copper wire
Votive candles
Here's how:
1. Fill the can with sand, add water, and place it in the freezer. The frozen mixture will give structure to the can and a surface against which to pound, so that the can does not become misshapen. Water expands significantly when frozen and will cause the can to swell if used without the sand. Filling the cans with sand first, then water, greatly reduces the amount of water in the can, minimizing the expansion.
2. Select a leaf that will fit the size of the can nicely and trace its shape with a permanent marker onto a piece of paper. Don’t worry about including lots of details because only the basic shape will show up on the final product.
3. When the water is completely frozen, take the can out of the freezer and tape the paper tightly around the can, positioning the leaf shape exactly where you want it.
4. Rest the can on its side on a folded towel to keep the can from rolling around and to protect the work surface. With a hammer and a sharp nail, punch holes though the paper and into the can along the lines of the design. Change nails frequently, as they dull quickly after repeated punches.
5. When the leaf is finished, make two large holes opposite each other at the top of the can for hanging wire.
6. When the design is complete, remove the vellum paper, invert the can in a bowl, and allow it to thaw. Remove the sand and water, rinse the can well, and allow it to dry completely.
7. Spray the inside of the lantern with white paint to diffuse the candlelight and give the lantern a brighter glow. All that’s required is a couple of quick shots of white or off-white spray paint aimed into the can from 10cm above the opening. Then choose a colour for the outside and spray on two light coats, allowing the paint to dry between coats. This paint is not only decorative but also offers a little protection from the elements if you leave your lanterns outside.
8. If you want to hang your lantern, cut about 50cm of wire and insert the ends into the hanging holes from the outside, twisting the ends back over the top and around the wire again. I like to place a votive candle inside a glass holder for ease of use and even better light diffusion. If you don’t use a votive glass, I recommend using a tealight candle or putting about a 2cm of sand in the bottom of the can so that a completely melted candle is easy to take out and replace.
via fine gardening