These past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of co-hosting an autumnal Instagram game called #HomeForTheFallidays, along with fifteen other lovely bloggers. I’ve really been enjoying seeing their creativity and ingenuity shine during each week’s fall-themed challenge. (And I admit that it makes me want to up my decor game!)

The great thing about #HomeForTheFallidays is that you don’t have to be a hostess to participate. Anyone with an Instagram account can get in on the fun!

Our theme for this week is Halloween crafts, so we thought we’d go one step further and make it a blog hop!

I was actually walking through the dollar store when I began thinking about what craft I’d make for the hop. Standing there, surrounded by bright, plastic pumpkin paraphernalia, I was struck by just how wasteful Halloween can be. So I decided to make my craft “green”: I bought nothing for it and I re-cycled materials I already had on hand!

The result is stylishly spooky, if I do say so myself!

How to make Day of the Dead (Halloween) luminaries out of tin cans | flourishandknot.com

Perhaps I should have begun this post by saying “¡Feliz Día de Muertos!” Granted, I’m still a few weeks ahead, but in Blogland I’m already several weeks late getting started on my Halloween decorating! But then again, Blogland is not like other places. Christmas arrives in August in Blogland. Halloween arrived sometime around Canada Day. 😉

Today I’m going to walk you through how to create your own eery Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) luminaries. They’re sure to lend a spooky touch to your front entrance! Día de Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday which takes place on November 1st.  Families gather together to pray for the spiritual journey of of their loved ones who have died. One of the traditional sweet treats for Día de Muertos is “calaveritas de azúcar” or sugar skulls. My luminaries were inspired by the designs of these skulls.

Materials

  • A large or medium tin can (labels and glue removed)
  • A copy of my handy-dandy Día de Muertos skull printable! (I can’t take credit for the designs: my talented husband drew them!)
  • A sharp, round nail
  • A hammer
  • Black spray paint (or a colour of your choice)
  • Painter’s tape

Step One: Tape your chosen skull template onto the clean, dry can. Using the nail and hammer to make holes, trace the template. I recommend having someone hold the can firmly while you do this. Safety first!
How to make Day of the Dead (Halloween) luminaries out of tin cans | flourishandknot.com

Step Two: Once you have punched all the holes in your design, remove the template. It will look a little squashed-in, but that’s ok! Holding the can on a firm, flat work surface, lightly hammer the can from the inside to bend it back into shape.

How to make Day of the Dead (Halloween) luminaries out of tin cans | flourishandknot.com

Step Three: Tape around the inside top of the can and over the inside of the punched-out design (so that you don’t get any over-spray). Spray paint the outside of the can to your desired colour. Let it dry completely and apply a second layer.

How to make Day of the Dead (Halloween) luminaries out of tin cans | flourishandknot.com

And that’s it! These luminaries are a simple, “green”, and FREE alternative to the plastic Halloween decor you see in stores. If you were to purchase a can of spray paint for this project, the total cost would be around $10. A can will do way more than two luminaries, though, so you’ll have plenty left over for other projects!

How to make Day of the Dead (Halloween) luminaries out of tin cans | flourishandknot.com

How to make Day of the Dead (Halloween) luminaries out of tin cans | flourishandknot.com

Since this is a blog HOP, I encourage you to hop around to the other participants and check out their Halloween crafts!

Check out the #HomeForTheFallidays Halloween Craft Hop! | flourishandknot.com

1 – Flourish and Knot – Día de Muertos Luminaries

2 – Little bits of Home – Textured Jute Pumpkin

3 – Our House Now a Home – Boo Pumpkins

4 – Pocketful of Posies – Boo Sweater Pumpkins

 5 – Lehman Lane – Scarecrows

6 – Beauteeful Living – Spooky Chandelier

7 – Oh the fun – Spider and Bats Wreath

8 – Shabby Grace Blog – Spooky Halloween Village

*****Featured on Hometalk.com This post was featured at The Huffington Post, Quick and Dirty TipsHeart Handmade UKMade in a Day,  Merry Monday, Oh My Heartsie GirlOhOh Blog, and Le blog friendstitch!

Here’s where I link up each week:

Mondays: Merry MondayMonday FundayInspire Me MondayShow & TellLou Lou Girls

Tuesdays: Tell ’em TuesdayTwo Uses TuesdayTogether on TuesdaysTutorials & TipsTuesdays with a TwistHit Me with Your Best ShotTickle My TastebudsTreasure Box TuesdayTasty Tuesdays

Wednesdays: Pin Worthy WednesdaysWork it WednesdayWow Us WednesdayWake Up WednesdayWordless WednesdayWhimsy WednesdayWelcome Home Wednesdays

Thursdays: Think and Make ThursdayHandmade HangoutWeekend Re-TreatFavourite ThingsArtsy Fartsy Link PartyWhat to Do WeekendsFriday Features (Thursday)

Friday: Fiesta FridayFeathered NestFrugal FridayLink Party PaloozaFriday Favourites

Saturday: Share it One More Time

Sunday: Nifty Thrifty SundaySilver PenniesSundays at HomeThat DIY PartyFrugal Crafty Blog HopShare the Wealth SundayFood Stars

Monthly/Recurring: Great Blog TrainSunday BrunchBefore and After