Christmas Lanterns.

 

One of the things I love about Christmas is the carols. We generally attend two local carol's as well as watching carols on TV. And while I love the feel and smell of real candles, with Christmas down under being so hot and often dry, our bush fire rating is often  high to extreme so battery powered candles are the way to go to keep everyone safe.

But a plastic candle can be kind of boring - so I've created these lanterns to hold the candles.

I've experimented with different dies to create the windows  including the Gingerbread dies, the Gift giving dies and stitched rectangle dies - each one creates a very different look.

The other thing I love about these lanterns is that I've made them with a swing top so that the lid opens up, meaning that I can use the either for a lantern or fill them with lollies and small gifts to create a unique gift bag that can be used as a lantern as well!

Scroll all the way to the bottom to see a list of products I've used to make the lanterns and also to read the instructions on how to make them.

The above lanterns were created using the Gingerbread dies.

  

These lanterns use the gift giving dies which give a real Christmas feel.

 

These ones use the stitched rectangle and stitched so sweetly dies. Using the different dies gives each lantern a different feel.

TIP: always make your first attempt using a piece of cardstock you have a lot of  - or that you don't like. Then if it doesn't work you're not wasting your good cardstock.

Product List

White Vellum A4 Card Stock [106584] $17.50	Basic Black A4 Card Stock [121688] $15.25	Misty Moonlight A4 Cardstock [153086] $15.25	Basic Gray A4 Card Stock [121689] $15.25
Blackberry Bliss A4 Cardstock [133682] $15.25	Night Of Navy A4 Card Stock [106577] $15.25	Rococo Rose A4 Cardstock [150888] $15.25	Highland Heather A4 Cardstock [147010] $15.25
Soft Succulent A4 Cardstock [155777] $15.25	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551] $61.00	Giving Gifts Dies [156563] $54.00	Gingerbread Dies [156320] $57.00
Metallic Mesh Ribbon [153550] $14.00	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $12.25	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755] $7.00

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Template for box base

Template for box top

Measurements

Box base: Cardstock measuring 6" x 11 1/2". Score on the long side (11 ½”) at 1/2", 3 1/4", 6", 8 3/4". Score on the short (6") side at 2"

Box Top: Cardstock measuring 2 1/2" x 2 3/4". You will need to cut 4. Score along the long side (2 3/4") side at 1". Mark the short side (1 1/2") at 1/2" and 2 1/4" and score from mark to 1” Score Mark (See template photo).

Vellum (Or you could use clear window sheets) 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". You will need to cut 3

Cardstock 1/2" x 10" piece for handle.

 

Instructions

1.      Cut and score cardstock to measurements given.

2.      Cut windows using  dies of choice on three sides (See template image boxes 1,2,3).

3.      Adhere vellum to back of windows using adhesive of choice.

4.      Fold along score lines of box base, cut from bottom edge to 2” line (See template image), Cut away ¼ x 2” lip (Cross hatched piece on template).

5.      Apply tape and glue to the 1/4” lip to secure the side of the box. Fold over the base and use tape and glue to secure bottom of the box.

6.      To create the box top, fold along the score lines. Apply glue to triangular lip on one piece then line up with triangular lip of second piece- be precise with lining up the sides. Repeat until all four pieces are joined to create a square. Set aside to dry.   

7.      Secure handle piece to inside top of box using split pins or brads

8.      Snip a small piece from the sides of each of the lid flaps) to help it fit into the top of the bottom box), the apply tape and glue to one flap. Secure this to the back of the lantern to create a lid that can be opened OR all four sides if you don’t want the lid to move.

9.      Decorate with ribbon or greenery as desired.

10.  Place battery light inside or fill with lollies and other small gifts.

I hope you enjoy making your own lanterns,

Until next time,

Happy Crafting