a tin can lantern.

June 12, 2012
tincan5_erinboyle
The last time I made this craft I had just turned ten, or maybe eight. In either case, I remember the invitations–oversized and with a picture of a cake with candles and a hot dog held over the flames. We hammered our tin cans on my parents’ back porch and when we’d finished we marched with them to the golf course to float walnut boats with birthday candles across the pond. We returned to my house to find a bonfire and s’mores.This time around there were no campfire rituals, but the little lantern casts the same orange glow. If you have a hankering to make your own, head over to Pure Green

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14 Comments

  • Reply Sophie June 12, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    this is the best idea!

  • Reply Linda Zimmerman June 12, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    omg- great minds, etc. i just made some of these to use at the beach. we put one out each Christmas as M made one for In Touch With the Past. I love these lanterns!!!! You are an inspiration to many!! it's a good thing you had such a full childhood!!!

  • Reply Mal June 12, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    So lovely and simple

    Mal @ The Chic Geek

  • Reply Daniella June 12, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    Cute idea!

  • Reply Callie Grayson June 12, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    These would be perfect for a BBQ putting them through out the garden.
    Xx
    Callie

  • Reply Shoko June 12, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    So pretty! The little holes look like polka dots 🙂

  • Reply Milynn luong June 12, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    What a cute idea! I could definitely use it to hid my citronella candles for backyard dinners.

  • Reply Rhianna Nelson June 12, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    This is such a rad idea! I was at my friend's housewarming the other night and we had a sort-of bonfire. This is a great way to get a little teensy piece of that more often 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Rhi xx

    The Wildest of Dreams

  • Reply IndiaMorgan June 12, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    Love this. Reminds me of my friend telling me about her own childhood east coast summers. She and her mother would capture fireflies in jars and use them as nightlights around their house. In the morning, they would let them out in to the backyard again. (Though she seems to not remember what percentage wouldn't make it through the night…)

  • Reply rachel June 12, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    i abosolutely love this.

  • Reply Allison June 12, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    Aw, I remember that awesome birthday party 🙂

  • Reply sweet harvest moon June 13, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    Oh, so that's what you were talking about! I used to make these too when I was a kid

  • Reply Anonymous June 24, 2012 at 1:54 am

    I remember that party! I loved those walnut boats and that lantern hung in my room for years after. Makes me nostalgic. – frin

  • Reply Anonymous July 19, 2012 at 1:46 am

    I did this with a tea container last summer… the double bonus was that the unscented candle warmed the insides, and the smell of sweet, pungent tea leaves wafted up.

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