STORM2K

These luminaries are for cold climates only but cool to make. Pun intended!

Take 9 or 11 inch round balloons (the size card shops fill with helium). Fill with water, to the size ball you want. I fill mine large enough to resemble a cantalope. Then leave a bubble of air before tying a knot. Put in your freezer, on the bottom shelf. You could put them on a plate, on top of a wire shelf, to keep the bottom flat. Allow to freeze for 6 or so hours. Carry to the sink, cut away the balloon. Where the air bubble was, the ice will be somewhat mushy. Scoop some out to make a depression for a votive type candle. Return to freezer, for later use. You can also add a few drops of food coloring to the water and/or balloon before tying the knot. I've always preferred clear water, since theoretically the dye could stain your driveway or porch.

If temps are below 32, they will burn/last for hours.

Mary

Wow. That is cool. Thanks for that info Mary. Maybe I should try that during Winter Break from college...

neat idea, It won't work here though. I will tell my sis in PA Thanks Mary!!!

Mary, we made these to put out for a new years party one year. They look really great! I had forgotten about them. Will have to do them again this year, my youngest probably doesnt even remember them.

My street has an annual progressive dinner party every holiday season. One neighbor read about this new way to make easy luminaries. So a few of us made them, they looked neat as we walked up and down the street. Prior the dinner, you'd be running out to the mailbox to hear - remember, freeze/make your luminaries!!! Because it is best to start these a few days before the event. I think my first one was a major flop - hubby looking over my shoulder saying, ought oh, you did something wrong....well, duh!

But I got the hang of it. I think one neighbor did red and green, for xmas. Hubby already nixed color - what if it ruined our driveway? LOL I did think of that already I told him..... Besides who wants to wash away that color at midnight, especially when your garden hose is put away?

I just think they're neat because they're very different. And cheap! But they don't look cheap, they look very creative when lit. They look like frosted glass and fragile, but they're not.

Mary

Bumping this topic up, since this is such a neat idea for luminaries. My former neighbor is the one that showed me how to do them.

I was about to start them, for a party this Friday and now our temps are going to be in the mid 40s! Shoot......

Well, if anyone has space in their freezer and want to make inexpensive luminaries, this is the way to do it - cheap but also, so-so clever!

Mary

That is a really neat idea!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have been getting temps at night in the 40's and high 30's it just might work...........I might try it for New Years! That is if the temps will be that low come then!!

Amy - I hate to jinx myself here but if the Bengals get to the Superbowl (now I've done it), we've thought about having a party. This town will go nuts, literally. We've waited 15 years for a winning season, some barely had a win or two! Anywho, if we have a party and they're playing, I thought about making these luminaries and tinting the water orange and black. Not sure how to tint it black though....

They look just like a glass round ball, with a candle inside and the light dances off the frozen ice, it's pretty neat to see. People walk up to them and wonder, is that really breakable, someone's glass bowl? LOL

Mary

Found more on this homemade ice luminary idea on the internet:

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/ ... minary.htm

Mary

WOW Mary- that is so funny!!!!!!! My husband is a HUGE Bengals Fan!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's been watching them all season!!!!!!! He was born in Charleston,W. Virginia.......but moved to Cincinatti when he was 2 .......and lived up there until 16 ........I think they moved to Loveland once too..........they moved down here when he was 16 to Florida and has been here ever since........hes 45,,,,I am 32 ....go figure So yea maybe if they win we will have a party too!!!!!!!!! he he!!!!!!!!

Amy - that is so neat! Another Bengals fan.......well, as you know they've suffered, a lot. My husband has said each August - this will be the Bengals year.....everyone he said this to would smirk. Well, they're not smirking now! I always tell him, you are certainly not a fair wx fan....he's been there for them each season. He has season tix thru work, ever since they built the team a brand new stadium (2000 or 2001). I'm not really into football but I'm happy they're winning!

Mary