Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Whip It Up Wednesday: Easy Paper Lanterns

Here's another super quick, easy and fun party decorating idea! 
I whipped up a stack of these for our engagement party - what fun!

What You Need:
* Scrapbook or craft paper
* 2 split pins/brads
* Optional: LED tea light candle

Hole punch, scissors.

What To Do:
Cut strips of paper that are equal in length and width. About 2cm wide seems to work well. The length will determine how big your lantern is. I made mine in varying lengths, from shorties at 10cm to ones almost 30cm long. 

Tip: Bigger lanterns will look 'fuller' and better with more strips, smaller lanterns need fewer strips. 
Experiment and see what works for you.


Use your hole punch to pop a hole in both ends of all of your strips. If your hole punch is strong enough, stack all (or half, whatever works) of your strips and do them all in one hit. This has two benefits - 
1) It's fast! And I'm lazy so fast = a very good thing
2) It ensures that your holes are in the same position on all of your strips.


Stack all of your strips and put a split pin or brad through the lot of them.


Secure the strips, then repeat at the other end.


Now, gently spread your strips out to form a ball! 


If you have one handy, you can pop an LED tea light candle inside! 


It looks very cute in real life, sorry I fail at photography, you'll just have to trust me ;)


To hang them up, just tie some wire or fishing line around the split pin/brad at the top.

These are SO easy you'll be able to make a stack of them really quickly, and they look very effective hung together in groups of mixed colours and sizes!

Happy creating!


10 comments:

Gildett de Marillac said...

I loved your idea, thanks for sharing how to make, kisses

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

That's just pure brilliant, Rissa!

Sheryl Hastings said...

Thanks for sharing these! These would be a quick and inexpensive way to decorate for any party. Love them!!!

Carrie said...

I love your idea. I would love it if you shared them at my Sharing Saturday at http://craftymomsshare.blogspot.com/2011/11/sharing-saturday-4.html. Thank you!

Julianne said...

I love this idea! Something i'm going to have to try for a holiday craft! I'm a new follower i'd love if you'd follow back!

Julianne

www.sewfantastic.blogspot.com

Jill said...

Cute lanterns! and so simple to make too!

Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

FlyAwayHome said...

These are so cute! A few in all different sizes would be great for a party. Thanks for sharing.

mermaid said...

That`s a wonderful idea of using LED tea light candles! I have made these lanterns before for Christmas but never used the candles. Thanks for sharing!

HoneySage said...

Easiest trick I have ever come across. Thank you sooo much for sharing!

Natasha Mairs - Serenity You said...

great idea! going to make some for xmas

Thank you for linking up at Serenity Saturday link party

Hope you can come and join us this week too

Natasha xx

www.serenityyou.blogspot.com

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