Sunday, August 15, 2010

Paper Lantern Tutorial

Hello friends!
Today I wanted to share with you this super quick and easy tutorial for making a paper lantern!

Start with a sheet of 12 x 12 double sided patterned paper.
I am using a sheet called "Complete Set" from The Thrift Shop collection by October Afternoon.


Cut off 2 1/2 inches from one side. So that you now have a 12 x 9 1/2 sheet of paper.


Fold the paper in half the long way. So that it is still 12 inches long.


Take a ruler or Score Board such as the one I am using by Martha Stewart to mark a line every inch across the paper. You will want your lines to start on the folded edge, leaving an inch unmarked at the bottom.

Now cut a slit up every inch on the FOLDED EDGE leaving 1 inch uncut.


Open your paper up.


Cut 2  1 x 12 inch strips in coordinating paper. Glue the strips across the top and bottom.


Roll your paper together, overlapping 1 inch and glue together at the top and bottom.


Now you can glue a strip of ribbon, yarn or thread to the inside edge at the top to create your hanger. You may want to squish your lantern a little to get it to take the shape that looks best to you.


You're done! It's fun to make several of these in matching papers for fun decorations for parties or your craft room!

Thank you for stopping by today, Lindsey

19 comments:

Home and Heart said...

SO cute! I remember making these in school, though not nearly as pretty! Thank you!

Theresa said...

What a wonderful project and easy enough for EVEN me:) Thanks for sharing it and it is gorgeous!

Have a blessed day!

Anonymous said...

Oh so cute, Lindsey! Thanks for the tutorial! ♥

Unknown said...

I did it~ I just put everything down and made one of your lanterns! I'm so thrilled with myself...they are addictive. I could use this in my new job as an activity director. It's a fun and creative way to decorate to our hearts content. More of these fun projects please...Love to you both!

Melinda said...

Brings back school memories -- just in time for "Back to School."
They are much cute with scrapbook paper than conatruction paper.

Melinda

SparkleFarkel said...

Your tutorial tells me what harvest time it's nearing! (Click on "here" at end of next sentence to know what I'm reminded of.) Several shades of deep orange paper would make a lovely indoor stringer of THESE!

Thanks! SparkleFarkle~~~~~*

Unknown said...

OMG this is too much I am so loving it and will probably give it a go and try it!!!! a few years ago my daughter wanted a birthday and I did some lanterns but these are far cutter!!!

Dogwood said...

Way too cute. I have to make some of those sweet laterns! Thanks. Have a nice day. Hugs, cory/dogwood

NanE said...

What a sweet lantern. Thanks for the tut, have a great weekend, Nan

Angela said...

I was just thinking the other day about these lanterns that we made in elementary school so many decades ago. I thought that I would teach my granddaughter how to make them. It's so cute with the paper you chose! Now I don't have to figure out measurements on my own. Thanks for doing that for me!!

Unknown said...

Very beautiful proyect! Love the cute lantern.

Elyse said...

i love making these! so fun, easy & cute!

xo
elyse

Sherry from Alabama said...

How lovely! I love the color of your lantern. Thank you for the tutorial. I'd love to try one of these.

Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

Unknown said...

These are adorable! Will have to bookmark to do with my daughters.

Have a great day!

Sarah

SiSi Sparkles said...

Love it! It has this vintage feel to it, almost

bonnies junk in the trunk said...

very cute ...
i'm thinking halloween papers ...
thanks & have a great day!
bonnie:o)

Kateyed said...

That is so cute. I can see a whole room of them. I love the paper, too. I wonder if that is a new release. I want some! I love how the inside peeks through!

Suz

Anonymous said...

If you craft a "bottom" for the lantern, or find a jar lid that will fit, you can sit a little battery powered tealight in it and use it for romantic lighting!!

abendkleid said...

These is one of the great to share with us. These all strip of ribbon which can inside the thread edge it is at the top to create for the hanger.