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Remember all that Zevia soda I didn’t really like?
I recycled the cans…
With an industrial pair of scissors, I cut all the tops off and cut each can into strips (definitely not a craft project for the kiddos).
I curled the strips and secured the ends of the inner strips with a hot glue gun. In each can, I then glued a thumbtack to hold a tea light candle.
I now have a really cool set of outdoor patio lights. I may not have liked the soda, but I love my new Zevia cans…
.
I’m picturing an intimate outdoor dinner party with pitchers of sangria and tapas.
Now, I just need to learn to like sangria…and purchase some patio furniture. 
{ 90 comments… read them below or add one }
Those are so cute and creative! I love them!!
…and make some tapas…and invite me over..
i love them!!
i like the grape zevia.. i just had some today. I like the orange too.. they just cost so dang much!!
DIY Candle Holders! I love it! And as for tapas…You’ve given me a crazing now! I used to live in spain and nothing hits the spot quite like a plate of spicy grilled sardines. Sounds strange, but tastes delicious!
okay i may have just invented a word there by accident…a freudian typo. “crazing” = CRAZY CRAVING. i think it could catch on in the blogosphere, don’t you?
Healthy Hipster.
“Crazing” – much better than amazeballs and awesomesauce.
This is just about the cutest thing ever. You’re so creative!
Zevia is the only diet soda I drink but I too am starting to find myself less interested. It’s a good alternative though
Heather these are so cute!
Ok most of my comment disappeared!
If you have more cans maybe you could build the patio furniture too?
Holly,
Too funny – another commenter said that her boyfriend actually did that in college. They used cases of beer as patio furniture. Now, I just need more Zevia samples.
Love them! what a cute idea! And you know how much I love recycling things! : )
Heart! Love it.
Listen, I’ll drink the sangria for you. And I’ll even sit on the patio, sans furniture.
Jen,
Deal, although we have plenty of chairs-in-a-bag on hand.
Those are too cute! I tried the lemon lime zevia yesterday, it wasn’t bad. I would drink it more but it didn’t have caffeine, which is in part the reason I drink diet soda on occasion.
I’ve been eyeing this sangria recipe but we never go out, entertain, etc. http://www.oprah.com/food/White-Wine-Sangria-with-Summer-Peaches-Strawberries-Oranges-and-Lemons
Samantha,
Just so you know, I fully support your caffeine addiction.
This is brilliant! The Zevia cans are much better on the outside than what’s on the inside (I am not a fan, either). Good handywork!
Very creative!!
Oh, and about the “glow” from the other post… tell me about that, I also can’t seem to go away from the orange veggies/fruits! I just love them so much. I eat plenty of sweet potatoes, winter squashes, and now in the warmer weather lots of spinach and bell peppers. Needless to say my hands also gets kinda orange from time to time. Lately I have been eating papayas for breakfast, I love papayas and even though the ones I get here are not like the ones I get in Brazil they are still good. Gotta love the orange fruits and veggies!
Ana
You are too funny Heather
and also very crafty. I just want you to know you really inspire me with your life and your choices. You are one of my favorite blogs to follow and read. I am still struggling with the choices I make in life but I think it is getting a little easier these days. I have lost tons of weight [from a 16 to an 8 now] and try not to obsess. I get my exercise in too and look forward to it daily. My advice to friends is that everyone must do what works for them. Love Ya,
Lori in NY
Hi Lori in NY,
What a nice comment – thank you, and I am so happy to hear that my blog has helped you. We all struggle at times – in fact, it would be kind of weird if you didn’t. Hang in there – you have come so far. It’s hard not to obsess, but sounds like you have learned to listen to your body – now you just have to trust it.
Omg you are sooooo creative!
You’re Suzy Homemaker + Mother of the Year + Crafter Extrodinarire! And I need to take some lessons from you!
I loveeeee what you did with those Zevia cans. I have a Pinterest account but don’t do a thing with it. Yet. But for some reason I think your craft project belongs on there..or in an Etsy shop to sell!
I think your next job just manifested itself!
Liking sangria? I could stop by and help you with that
Averie,
I love love LOVE Pinterest – great photo inspiration.
Super cute idea!! I love sitting outdoors! But, I have yet to kick my soda habit
how creative!
That is a cute idea. I can see you and Summer having fun with crafts when she gets older.
Stefanie,
I know – I can’t wait.
haha nifty
Cute! I love reusing stuff! Get that patio furniture…I’m coming your way!
Sarena,
We have plenty of chairs-in-a-bag, and the butter and oats are stocked!
Those candle holders are so cute! I will definitely be making them soon! They’d also make a great gift I bet.
Very cool idea!
You’re the cutest and craftiest EVER -I love the oh-so-resourceful patio lights
HOW can you not like sangria?!?!
Katie,
I know…I don’t like wine. I keep trying it, but nope, doesn’t do anything for me.
They’re gorgeous – so creative! And having babysat my nine-month-old goddaughter last week, I know how little time you get so even more respect
I love this idea. It’s a great way to recycle the colorful cans
Well aren’t you resourceful?! Very cute idea.
Wow, so creative! You are really getting into the crafts lately: patio lights, homemade earrings, pictures for Summer’s wall!!!
Alex,
I know. I spend way too much time on Pinterest.
what a great idea! i wonder if they’d float? they’d be beautiful floating centerpieces!
Tea-bag, that would be really cool – In glass square vases or a swimming pool.
creative, yes. But given my infamous diet soda addiction, it would be like an alcoholic making a chandelier with vodka bottles.
Heather you are so creative!! these look great, now I’m trying to think of something in a CAN I can drink to make these…
Jason was in bands all through college, and there was much beer drinking… they made an entire patio set (a couch, chairs and table) with the recycled beer cans put back into the boxes…
there’s your new patio set!!
Kristina,
That is great…think the Zevia folks would send me enough samples for Operation Patio Furniture?
hey, if their name is on it?? they just might…
super cute!! :] this is really similar to a project i did my first year of architecture school, too!
What a creative idea!
you are brilliant these are soo adorable!
Those are AWESOME! I could imagine they would be really neat wall decorations (obviously sans candles), too!
I actually had a rootbeer Zevia earlier today. I know you’re not a fan but I enjoy them as an occasional treat! And those candle holders are so creative, I love them!
Brilliant,Heather:-)cc
i’m not into sangria either too sweet but give me a spicy Cabernet sav. and i’m good to go!
Those tea light holders are so cute!! I would gladly come over for some sangria.
Amazing! You are so crafty lady, I’m totally jealous! Love them
xo
You’re about 2 dinner parties away from being Martha Stewart! Very cute.
And Sangria’s overrated—just have a margarita if you want something seasonal…
these are awesome
wahoo!
Those are so cute- you are so crafty!
I’m in awe of your creativity. You are my new crafty idol. Maybe light coronas instead? Still a Mexican theme.
YOU ARE SO SMART!!!!!!
Cute idea! How can you not like sangria?? I don’t usually like it when I have it in a restaurant, but homemade sangria (w/out all the extra added sugar/syrup/whatever is in it) is awesome
Annie,
I don’t like wine. I try and try and try, but I just can’t do it.
I love these. I so want to make some. Thanks for sharing!!!
How cute! I really need some patio furniture too but I’m not sure what to get and I just know myself too well…I’ll pick out a set and then see another one that makes me regret my purchase and pout about it for weeks!
what a great idea…way to go with reducing, reusing and recycling, haha love saying that for some reason
I can’t say whether or not I like sangria- I haven’t had one in forever. I see it as a dumpster for the bad wine that you wouldn’t touch solo. So I shy away. Clever you though for making the tea light holders!
Wow, how cool! You are so creative
It is such a cool way how to re-use soda cans! So creative
Oh you’re so creative and funny! They’re beautiful! What – you don’t have patio furniture yet? How long have you been in your house?!
Marty,
We have been in our house over 4 years, and I have a very budget-minded husband…read CD IS CHEAP. He is fine with the one plastic chair left behind by the former owners and my collection of chairs-in-a-bag. Workin’ on him.
Hmmmm, ok. How’bout feeding him oaties for a week, and what you save you can buy one chair at a time? Yard sales? There’s gotta be some way to eek out from the food budget for the furniture budget? It’s an old quilter trick – what change is left from grocery shopping goes in the fabric kitty! I’ll skimp and save anywhere!
ps. a Dr. Zuess quilt may finally be on the way!
Marty,
I’ll work on it. I need to be better about checking Craigslist and going to yard sales. Thanks for the tips.
Creative repurposing! I am fairly new follower, finding inspiration from your posts, yesterday found myself looking for ingredients you’ve posted about!
I am curious about backdrop of picture 4- are those quilts or chair covers? Any chance of bigger pics? I am a quilted and they look quite interesting, would love to see bigger area.
Mary,
They are pillows I purchased from Pier 1 a few years ago. Would you like me to take pics just of just the pillows and email you the large files? If so, just let me know. Be happy to do it!
P.S. Glad you found me – thanks for reading.
You are a genius! I am seriously SO impressed right now!! They’re beautiful
What a fabulous idea! Kind of like when life gives you lemons and you make lemonade…
Ooooo. I love that idea! Throw some burgers on the grill, make some guacamole… then send me an invite! =)
Those are adorbs!
And not liking sangria? I don’t understand what you are saying….
Errign,
I wish I liked it, but I’m not a fan of wine. I keep trying in hopes that I’ll develop a taste for it. Wine and sushi – my taste buds say no to both.
These are seriously cool! I really didn’t mind Zevia that much, it’s got an odd sort of bitter taste but for the most part, it’s okay.
I didn’t like Zevia and emailed them with little customer service. Wish I had thought of this!!! great idea
You’re so creative! I am art special and wouldn’t be able to get these to stay together
We need new patio furniture too- ours is falling to pieces. Hope you’re having a great day
i love this! so crafty and colorful =)
That is way cool!
Very cool idea!
I love when people get creative! Oh, and I don’t like sangria, too. Red wine = headache. Sweet red wine = super headache. Sweet red wine sipped through a straw … I don’t want to know. 
Oh such a creative idea! And they look so cute! :]
I think we are long lost sisters. We each love Colorado (Woodland Park!), don’t like wine (I also keep trying it and it fails every time) and don’t enjoy sushi (love rice, love the veggies, not the fish. And if I’m gonna eat a rice and veg meal, take me to a Japanese grill where I can load up instead of feeding me the equivalent of 6 tablespoons of rice and 3 of veg!). LOL
Love the tealight holders!
Another idea for patio furniture. My Mom picked out a set that she loved but we couldn’t afford it all at once. So we bought it for her piece by piece forspecial occassions. Canopy covered swing for mother’s day, chaise lounge for her birthday, table and chairs for wedding anniversary. Until she had a complete set. And its quality stuff that has lasted for years now. CD seems savvy and generous so drop some heavy hints about what you’d like.
Amy,
We are totally kindred spirits. Honestly, sushi is the only food I do not like on the whole planet. Well, it’s the seaweed. Got this sample of dried seaweed chips yesterday and took a big bite hoping I would like it. Oh my gosh, ran to sink, spit it out, and washed my mouth out with a biscotti. Hehe – first thing I could grab.
Good idea on the patio furniture. CD’s parents told us to buy the good stuff. They’ve had their set for over 10 years. Expensive, but it lasts and so comfy! Will start dropping hints of what I like.
So cute, Heather! Ok, and didn’t know you changed your site design-looks so pretty!!
Now that’s a really cool use of some old cans. Very nice.