Milk Jug Jack O' Lanterns

'Tis the season for spooky & fun!  This week's post is going to demonstrate how to make faux jack o' lanterns from recycled gallon milk jugs.

(Image by Historic Hudson Valley from their website {http://www.hudsonvalley.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/Slideshow/blaze_slide5.jpg}.)


In order to complete this project you'll need:

• Several Empty/Clean Gallon Milk Jugs
• A Permanent Marker
• Glow Sticks

Permanent Markers can be found virtually anywhere & everywhere for only $1 or less.  Mine came in a 2-pack from Dollar General for $1.

Glow Sticks can be found just about anywhere as well.  Most general retail stores such as Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc. sell them year-round in their party section.  Other retailers such as grocery stores, like Giant Eagle, sell them this time of year in their season aisles for just $1-$2 per package.  I purchased a tube of 20 variously colored glow sticks from Dollar Tree for only $1.

Using your permanent marker, draw jack o'lantern faces onto your milk jugs.

Next, fill up your milk jug about 1/2 of the way with water.  Then, crack a couple of glow sticks & drop them into the water.  The added water helps to reflect the light & glow from the glowsticks to illuminate the jug.

Voila! You've Made Milk Jug Jack O' Lanterns!
Thank You & Enjoy!

Craft Bead Suncatcher

For today's project we'll be making a lovely  indoor/outdoor sun catcher out of inexpensive craft beads.

 

 

(Images by Feels Like Home from their website {http://www.feelslikehomeblog.com/2013/05/melted-bead-suncatchers-perfect-for-a-homemade-mothers-day-gift/}.)


 To complete this project you'll need: 

• Assorted Plastic Craft Beads
• Metal or Disposable Foil Pans
• String, Fishing Line, or Ribbon to Hang Suncatcher

 

Craft Beads, also known as pony beads, can be found pretty easily at major retailers with craft sections, like Walmart, and at any and every craft store, such as JoAnn's, Michael's, Pat Catan's, Hobby Lobby, etc. for just a couple dollars per bag.  Some basic varieties can also be found at dollar stores.  I bought my beads at Dollar Tree for just $1.

 Disposable foil pans can be found just about anywhere also.  I'd definitely recommend buying foil pans from the dollar store, or if you'd prefer to use actual metal pans, since we'll be melting plastic in them, it's a good idea to not use pans you cook & eat from.  I'd recommend buying some from Goodwill or a yard sale, so that you know you're not eating any remnants of melted plastic.

String, fishing line, or ribbon is readily available at any dollar store or retailer for just a dollar or two.


First, preheat your oven to 400°F.

Next, spread your beads out in your pan in a single layer so that they're lying flat.  It's a good idea to leave a small circular area free of beads, so that you have an easy area to hang your string or ribbon from later.

**Melting the plastic can produce some unpleasant fumes and odors, so it's highly recommended that you keep your kitchen well ventilated, opening windows and doors and turning on fans.

Cooking time can take up to an hour, depending on the thickness of your beads, to ensure that everything is evenly melted and smooth.

Next, you'll need to let your suncatcher cool before removing it from the pan.  Once it's cooled & removed from the pan, you can hang it from the open space that we left between the beads.  If your suncatcher melted all together & did not keep the empty space, you can always poke your own hole to pull your string or ribbon through.

 














 Once you've tied your ribbon or string onto your suncatcher, you're all done & it's ready to hang!

Voila! You've made a Craft Bead Suncatcher!
Thank You & Enjoy!