The only thing I've done with them is that I put big plastic bows on them and pile them in a Santa wagon I put on my front patio at Christmas. They look like Christmas gifts and don't get messed up in the wind, rain or snow at Christmas. Mine are big tins (like the ones pre-popped popcorn comes in. Oh, I've also seen where people cut them up with tin snips and use the colorful pieces to cover things like a photo frame or the frame of a mirror or bulletin board. Be careful, of course, because the edges are really sharp when you cut them up. Here's a link that shows a pic of what I mean: http://recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com/files/2009/03/pop-art.jpg Here's a couple of other links I found while looking for the one above. While they're more for using soda cans, I thought they were kind of fun to share: http://www.make-stuff.com/recycling/ http://recycledcancrafts.blogspot.com/ http://gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/163

Thank you for the nice compliments :) Here is a close up of the mason jar luminaries. My DH made them with 4 long strands of wire. He made a loop of the 4 strands to hang it from,and set the first jar inside the strands and tightened it by twisting the wires under the jar,and wrapped a shorter piece of wire around the twist.He did the next two jars the same way. We filled the jars partway with sand,and set candles inside them. The zinc lids came with the jars,I only keep them on the jars when we're not using them to keep the rain out. It's lasted outside for a year,it looks like it will last a lot longer,makes a beautiful hanging light outside. I saw one on HGTV, I think it was Decorating Cents,and he copied it for me. I hope you can see from these close up pics. Here is a link that might be useful: My Garden Album

Ok...here is what I have so far... I WILL EMAIL THIS TO YOU PLEASE DO NOT CCP THERE MAY BE MORE QUESTIONS ADDED OTHERS WANT ON HERE BEFORE WE ARE FINAL. I will ask you to answers all questions...Please take time to think about what your answers might be. IF you want to save this one to help you answer them later then please go ahead and do that, HOWEVER, if something gets added be sure to answer it on the one emailed to you. Personal Info: Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Email address: What type of movies do you like? Favorites? What are your least favorite movies? What type of books do you read? What are your least favorite books? What are your favorite types of music? What are your least favorite types of music? What are your favorite colors? What is you shoe size? What is your hat size? What is your belt size? Are you allergic to: Smells? (Perfumes, Lotions, Cologne) Do you have a favorite scent? Do you have a favorite lotion or shaving cream or after shave? Do you have any allergic triggers? (Clorox, detergents, soaps) Do you wear finger nail polish? What colors are you favorite? Would you prefer not to receive finger nail polishes? Would you like to receive manicure items? (clippers, emery board) Do you have long hair? Would you like to receive barrettes or ponytail holders? Do you have pierce ears? Can you were costume jewelry? Would you prefer not to receive any jewelry adornment items? Do you collect household indoor items? (ex: candles, tins, soaps) If so what types? Scents? What would you NOT want to receive for indoor décor? What type of theme do you have indoors? Kitchen? Bath? Do you have children? What are their ages? Would you want something including for them? If so what type of items? (coloring books, children books) Do you like novelty items? (pens, pencils, notepads, stickers, stamps and ink pads) Food Are you allergic to any foods? Do you like cooking? What are you favorite types of food? What types of foods do you dislike? Do you like chocolate? If you dont like chocolate what is your favorite candy(ies)? What is your favorite snack food? Would you want to receive homemade goodies? (cookies, brownies) What is your favorite types drink non-alcoholic? Coffee, Tea List your favorite flavors: Please list as many as you like: Teas: List your favorite flavors: Please list as many as you like: Coffees: Drinks others: Do you do alcoholic drinks? If so what are your favorite types? Garden Info: What zone are you in: Tell us a little about your specific growing conditions, for your yard: (sunny, hot/dry, wet, shady, hilly, flat) Are you allergic to any plants? Do you enjoy houseplants; Specific types? What if any do you prefer NOT to receive? What is you glove size? Would you like to receive garden tools? If so what types? Do you have a specific color you would like to receive if possible? Do you collect seeds? Would you want homemade seed packs or would you prefer plastic or paper envelopes? Would you like paint markers or sticks? Would you want plants makers? Purchased or homemade? What plants do you have too many of and do not want any more of? What plants would you like to receive more of? Is there any color plants you would like to receive? What themes/ color schemes do you have going on in your garden, if any? Do you plan on starting any themes or color schemes? Would you prefer plants or seeds of the above items? Do you have a pond in your yard? Are you planning a pond in the future? Do you need pond related items, if so what would you be wishing for? Do you want pond plants? Do you grow vegetables? Would you like to receive seeds for veggies? If so what types would you want? Do you grow herbs, or want to start? What types of plants do you have? Or would you want to receive? Would you care to receive herb seeds? Do you enjoy bulb type plants? What is your favorite bulb plant? What is your least favorite bulb plant? Would you want to receive onions sets and type? (Red, sweet) Would want to receive garlic? (Types) Would you want to receive potato seed? Is there any specialty plant or seeds you would just LOVE to have? Would you prefer NOT to receive seeds of ANY kind? Please list at least 10 favorite plants you would like to receive. Please list at least 10 seeds types you would like to receive. List types you DO NOT want to receive either plants or seeds wise. What are 3 plants you would hurt someone to get your hands on you just havent been able to find yet. Decorations: Do you enjoy yard art/decorations/ornaments? (if not say so, hey if you think it is trashy tell us) Do you collect any specific yard art/decorations/ornaments if so? Would you like to receive wind chimes? Would you like to receive outside flags? Is there any specific outside theme you would just not want? Do you decorate for holidays? If so which ones? Would you want to receive these appropriate decorations? Which holiday would you least likely wish to receive items for? What is you favorite Holiday? Do you have a least favorite holiday? What is your most favorite season or time of year? What is you least favorite season or time of year? Hobbies: Besides gardening what are your hobbies if any? Would you like items related to your favorite other hobbies? What would you enjoy receiving most relating to your other hobbies? What would least like to receive relating to your other hobbies? Do you scrapbook? Would you want items related to scrap booking? (ink pads, stamps, papers, déco scissors) Do you enjoy animals? Do you have any animals? (dog, cat, bird) Would you want something included for them? If so what? Toys? Biscuits? Do you have a specific color you prefer to receive if included? What is the least favorite item you would want to receive for your pet(s)? What is you favorite animal? What is your least favorite animal? Would you enjoy receiving animal related items? (notepads, stickers etc.) I KNOW it is long, BUT this will help us all to decide what everyone will want...I think it is pretty much all you could want to know, but maybe I over looked something I am sleepy and can't think of any thing esle right now. Ok, night everyone. :) Fran

I could never turn into the "Coupon Queen" because we eat simple whole foods for which you find precious few coupons. So I don't pay for expensive packaging and advertisement for my food choices, and find less-expensive alternatives for as many other things as possible. In order to keep the food budget to $50/week for 2 adults (which is the FIRST and most successful way to save money on groceries- set a spending budget, and THEN make wise choices) -- maintain a large amount of food in storage, as well as following a well-balanced diet using a large variety of food -- I purchase INGREDIENTS, with which I make foods from scratch, and avoid highly-processed convenience foods. I also take advantage of a home garden and all the free food I can gather (end-of-the season gardens friends share with me, free-for-the-picking fruit and nut trees, free berries, free grain....). FREE beats a coupon any day! I looked at a container of Bisquick Shake & Pour Pancakes ($2 for 12-15 pancakes) at the store recently (it seems to often have a coupon for it in the newspaper). There must be all of 12-cents worth of ingredients in the throw-away plastic container.... (tsk, tsk) I was thinking of all the things I can make BESIDES pancakes from those same few ingredients: flour, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, salt, sugar and baking powder. So the pancake mix isn't very versatile compared to ingredients. There appear to be more food-related coupons that contribute to the "over-fed and under-nourished" in this country. Even the so-called "healthy" selections are simply over-priced, feel-good items which are ALSO highly-processed. It's important to remember for every 50-cents saved using a coupon, it's estimated that you also need to spend $2.00. And as my husband likes to point out, the only way to SAVE money is NOT to spend it (but I digress - LOL). I've seen them called IMPULSE COUPONS. These are the coupons people use to try some new items they may not normally try; things children see advertised on TV and come under the heading of KID IMPULSE COUPONS; and MOMMY IMPULSE COUPONS for makeup, hair-care products, unnecessary laundry add-ins, etc... That being said, I use coupons, but I normally stack the savings - get double value, purchasing an item that is also a loss leader or otherwise reduced or discounted, and see if I can also take advantage of a rebate. I purchase groceries from Dillons, Aldi, and Wal-Mart, and bulk items from a number of sources. To date: $2,200 total in food budget for the year. Spent at Dillons: $934.20 Saved: (according to the bottom of the last receipt) $505.78 this year. This is the only store I use coupons. -Grainlady