When the warm weather is upon us, patios are the place to be.
Hanging lights in trees is always a nice touch, but nothing beats the glow of a paper lantern to turn your drab deck into a patio that packs punch.
You may remember making these little beauties in elementary school and now they are making a comeback.
Make them in an assortment of colours and they will add a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
For materials, you will need:
- One pad of coloured craft paper (30.4 cm x 30.4 cm)
- Scissors
- Scotch tape
- Glass votives
- Tea lights
Choose two or three different colours of craft paper that co-ordinate well together in a group setting.
Fold your paper in half, wrong sides together.
With your scissors make cuts into the folded side of the paper approximately 2.5 cm apart. Be sure to leave a portion of the paper uncut. There should be approximately 7.5 cm on the uncut end.
Once you have made the cuts, roll the paper and attach the ends with Scotch tape.
Push the lantern down towards the center crease until the folds stay outward. You may have to pinch the crease with your fingers.
These lanterns can be made with all different sizes of paper. Make them initially with the 30.4 cm-paper and then try cutting the paper down to smaller sizes for more variety.
Place a tealight inside the glass votive holder and insert inside the lantern.
Attach a paper handle to the top of the lantern and hang them all in a row from a piece of ribbon or string across a dining table. Wind a strand of mini lights through each one.
If you make your lanterns all in white paper, try using coloured mini lights inside them.
The lanterns will serve as bright and bold party decorations.
Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home decor, entertaining and floral design. She also runs Blu Dog Staging & Redesign. bludogstagingandredesign.com
