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Ideas For DIY

Halloween Painted Luminaries

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I’ve struggled for the last two weeks about whether or not I should post this. Why? Because it’s one of my crafts. The last thing I want people to think is that I am using this venue to further my own blog. That’s just not it at all. See, I’ve actually had a few people email me and tell me I should feature these. At first I said no because of what I stated above. One person even said “hog wash”. Ha! I haven’t heard that in ages. So I am taking a chance and posting these today in hopes that you all won’t mind and won’t think that I am trying to self promote. These have been extremely popular on my blog so I hope that you like them. 🙂

See my step by step tutorial so you can make your own Halloween luminaries.

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Comments

  1. That’s just not wrong at all. This site is a place to promote good tutorials, not the blogs, so its only fair that your tutorial appears here. Its beautiful!

  3. these are the cutest luminaries i want to make some .please never worry about sharing your art .i am so happy i found this project.dont worry about the naysayers i love this work.

  7. These are adorable! I don’t see anything wrong with you posting from your own blog. Especially if you have great crafts like this one!

  8. I’d only mind you featuring your own blog if it sucked. It doesn’t suck! It definitely doesn’t suck! Thanks for the post. It’s very cool.

  9. I have to say I am thrilled you posted these. I am troop leader to a daisy girl scout troop and I was looking for a recycling project we can do for halloween. These will be PERFECT! So thank you for sharing!

  10. If you had seen this on someone else’s blog, you totally would have mentioned them here. Thank you for sharing. I wouldn’t have seen them otherwise, and am off to go check out the directions to see if this is something I can make with my girls and my nephews. Thank you!

  12. Seriously … when you have something as cute as these, I say post it!! I didn’t even know you had a blog, but now I do, and I’m glad that I do. I just really, really, REALLY wish you had posted these a few weeks ago, before I threw away a couple of dozen glass mayo jars that my Dad had been saving for my niece’s science project (she didn’t use them all). Anyway, I hope you will post more of your own creations!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! Have a lovely evening!

  13. I think they are lovely. I also think that if you are open about when it is one of your crafts that people have liked then there is no conflict of interest.

  16. Amanda,
    I love your luminary idea!
    I write a column for my local paper and would LOVE to include this idea in my article (and give you credit of course)
    would that be okay?
    thanks!
    Beth

Have you read?

Building with Nature: My Experience with Natural Birdhouses

If you’re someone who enjoys DIY woodworking projects and has a soft spot for garden wildlife, Natural Birdhouses by Maria and Amen Fisher is a must-read. I picked this book up recently and have been completely inspired by the earthy, sustainable approach it offers to building homes for birds, bats, and even beneficial bugs.

What really drew me in was the focus on using found wood and natural materials—think branches, logs, reclaimed boards, and other bits of nature you can often source from your own backyard or a nearby forest. Not only does this make the projects eco-friendly, but it also gives everything a beautiful, rustic feel that blends effortlessly into any garden or backyard setting.

The book includes 25 step-by-step projects, all clearly explained and illustrated, which makes it accessible for both beginner and seasoned crafters. Even if you don’t have a fully-equipped workshop, most of these can be tackled with just a few basic tools and a bit of patience.

I started with a simple birdhouse design, using some weathered fence boards I had stashed in the shed. The instructions were easy to follow, and I was surprised how quickly it came together. Within a couple of days of putting it out in the garden, a curious little sparrow showed up—talk about instant reward! I’ve since bookmarked the bat box project and one of the insect hotel builds for next weekend.

What I really love about this book is that it’s not just about crafting; it’s about encouraging wildlife and creating a more natural, welcoming habitat right in your own yard. It’s a great way to involve kids, too—mine were fascinated by the idea of building a bug hotel and couldn’t wait to help collect materials.

If you’re looking for nature-inspired DIY garden projects that not only look good but also serve a purpose, Natural Birdhouses is full of ideas that check all the boxes. It’s creative, environmentally conscious, and a great way to spend time outdoors while giving something back to the ecosystem.

I’d definitely recommend this to anyone into sustainable gardening, backyard birdwatching, or rustic outdoor décor. Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to hear what you build!