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Sunday, March 27, 2011

Jar Lanterns

Spring is in the air. If you live in a colder climate like me, perhaps you're ready to spend some more time outdoors.

I have been looking for just the right inexpensive outdoor candle lanterns for some time. I was searching for something that had a protective cover, so the inside of the lantern wouldn't get dirty from outdoor debris if I left it outside.

Then these applesauce jars caught my eye.

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Why not?

With young children we go through quite a bit of applesauce. It seems such a waste to put nice jars in the recycling bin, but I never had a good idea of how to use them. Until now.

I scraped the labels off with a razor.

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Then grabbed some oil rubbed bronze spray paint for the lids.

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A couple quick sprays is all it took. I "borrowed" some sand from my kids' sandbox and added some votive candles.

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Now to enjoy the evening light.

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They go quite nicely with my wine bottle vase, don't you think? ha! And they'd be easy to "jazz up" (if that's your thing) with twine, or you could etch something on there. Or just leave them plain. I think they're pretty as is!

Are you working on anything outdoors for spring?

Linking to some of these great parties.

Now go make something!

13 comments:

  1. I like it! It is always great to recycle. Do you remember when they used to put jelly in jars that you could use for glasses? Or you could get a free glass with detergent. Why don't they start doing that again? I have these little sherbert dishes from my grandmother that they originally had peanut butter in them. In this day of recycling you would think someone would bring this back huh?

    Benita

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  2. This is a great idea and I have been saving some jars to do it. They look terrific all lit up!

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  3. That is so smart! What an easy way to light up the outside dining area.
    www.itsybitsypaperblog.com

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  4. love this! i guess i'm going to have to start eating applesauce since my boy won't! love it.. love that you reused something, i'm all about that! :)

    thanks for sharing! found you via the girl creative! :)

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  5. Wow, this looks lovely. Hope to see you at My Dream Canvas.

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  6. These are so fun! I love candles but always fight the wind when the jar holding the candle isn't big enough. These are gorgeous and so low in cost! What a great idea for a party or a romantic dinner on the patio! : )
    I featured your project on my friday favorites post today. Feel free to come grab a featured at Calico and Cupcakes button if you would like! Have a great weekend!

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  7. Great idea - especially the sand in the bottom to hold it in place. My husband likes to make candle holders out of ice during the winter.

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  8. Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! I can't wait to look around your site. I'm loving these jar lanterns...definitely remind me of summer. I've been saving up my pesto and yeast jars all winter so I can make lots of outdoor lanterns.

    Kristen
    www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com

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  9. I really like that! I save all my jars so I am always looking for new ideas on how to use them. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. That last picture of the two jars is just beautiful!.. sweet jars!.. thanks for sharing!..

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  11. Like you I have a hard time tossing or even sending off to recyling the best jars. I feel they are meant for better things.
    This is a great idea.

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  12. You can also do this with old (super large) pickle jars and medium pillar candles (take off the lids). I melt a good portion of the wax on the bottom of the candle and stick it to the inside of the jar. Since the jar is so big, it's easy to get your hand down in there. We have been doing this for years. We take the jars camping and use them around our house. The kids like to sit near them and read while we are camping. It's great, because if they knock them over the flame goes out and they won't get accidentally burned from the candle either.

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  13. I have been looking for just the right inexpensive outdoor candle lanterns for some time. I was searching for something that had a protective ... outdoorcandlelantern.blogspot.com

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