An update and a craft project

It's Spring and what's better than a zero-cost craft project? Er ... don't answer that question, but keep reading.

I've been MIA for more than a week on the blog because I've been focused on some other things. The temp is finally warming up, so I find it difficult to be at the computer any longer than required (which is a wretched eight hours of my day, btw). When Spring arrives I kick it into gear with just about everything in my life. Can't wait to see how I am next Spring when the wedding is right around the corner. Eek. Maybe I should start making apologies to those close to me now.

Done list:
1. Start flower seedlings (cost effective and just as fun as a sixth grade science project).
2. Look at finances (I joined the credit union at work and refinanced my car loan with a much better interest rate, which will save me $2,000 over the next two years.
3. Clean things that get cleaned once a year (windows, oven, curtains, junk drawers ... ok, I'll probably leave the junk drawers alone).
4. Vaccuum and flip mattress.
5. Start running/workout regimen.
6. Pack my lunch (The $5 Igloo insullated lunch bag I got at Target has been a great investment so far).
7. Order rain barrell.
8. Play catch with Tyler.


To do list:
1. Tune up bike and suck it up (The ride to work is just two miles and the route along the Mississippi River is gorgeous)!
2. Rake lawn.
3. New front door.
4. Rain gutters on the front of the house.
5. Find cheap dirt to fill in around house and seed the lawn.
6. Paint the chipping foundation.
7. Grill dinner outside.
8. Driving range with Tyler.

There's always time for fun, too, so here's an awesome craft project that anyone can do. These tin can lanterns, courtesy of www.thriftyfun.com would be great in the yard during a bbq or ... yep, you guessed it! A backyard wedding!



Instructions
Clean out and remove the labels from any sized tin can-opened on one end. If necessary, pound down any sharp edges with a hammer, then dry the can thoroughly.

Cut a piece of white paper big enough to fit around the can, cutting off any excess. This paper will serve as your design template.

After cutting the paper to the correct size, remove it from the can and with a colored marker, trace or draw a simple design using a series of small dots (about the size of a nail head). These dots represent the spots you'll be punching with a hammer and nail. Leave at least a 1/2 inch border around the top of the can so you punch out holes for hanging.

Fill the can up to the top with water and let it freeze over night. This will prevents the can from bending and denting while you punch holes into it and give you a hard surface to work on.

Remove the can from the freezer and reattach your template with masking tape. If necessary, secure the template with paper clips along the rim of the can.

With a hammer and large-sized nail, pound holes into the can following the pattern of your design. Make an X with masking tape across the open end of the can to make it easy to mark where to punch holes for hanging.

Decorate the outside of the can with paint as desired. Add small candles or tea lights and use wire or a metal clothes hanger for hanging.