Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Fire Fly Lanterns , To Glow or Not to Glow?

Last yr I decided to spruce up our garden shed...One of the things I wanted to do was an idea I had seen with hanging mason jars. I was fortunate a few days later, to happen upon a big liquidation sale!! (Yeah, like that happens! ZELLERS was closing so I rushed over there!) I scored these metal lanterns on clearance for 1/4 of their price...so I got 4 Med sized ones for $5 each! to hang at each corner of our Gazebo and one Large one for $10 to hang outside the shed.
 The idea was so simple. Get some moss...and hidden in amongst it a string of mini lights that are battery powered. I actually found some at the dollar store. I loved how they looked...but only every turned them on when we had company. Batteries are pricey and they don't last long. I did love how they looked when lit. ...But.......
and there's always a But.....Daytime, when not lit, Some...ok....many ppl had to inquire why the hell I had green stuff packed in my lanterns! To which I would answer....."SSHHHHHHH u will wake my fireflys! They like to sleep in there!"
Needless to say, I wanted to retire those "FireFlies" for good!
I also wanted a better source of light or glow this time that cost less then batteries...
I love Pinterest! and I saw the perfect idea by CakeryPapery.com ! So this spring I cleaned all the moss out of my lanterns and put the lights away for some future project ..maybe....
First, I found a cute stencil with 4 different Fireflys on it...Stenciled the outside panels with black paint so they would show up against the bright sparkle I planed for the inside....
I got some inexpensive glitter (any colour u want) I used bright silver and white mixed together. I mixed
 2 tbsp of Elmer's glue with 1 tbsp water...(u can make it thinner if u want) I brushed glue on inside panels then generously sprinkled glitter on them...Hung in their places to dry...Place Tea Lites in and Voila!  Low cost and they last a few hrs! My larger one holds a larger candle...and we can see it from across the yard! 

Yes, I love lanterns and Candles! I also love how these turned out...the 4 I put in the Gazebo all glow as much as the shed one AND they look pretty during the day also!! Win Win....

What do you think? Which do u prefer?

1 comment:

kenju said...

I like them this way - so much better than moss! They look great. You are very talented, Moon.