Used for decoration, religious ceremony, or simply to light the way, paper lanterns have been used for centuries and across many cultures. Make your own paper lantern with the craft paper supplied in the latest issue of Mindful Puzzles.
You will need:
- 1 sheet of craft paper found in Mindful Puzzles
- 2 sheets of white paper
- Craft knife
- Double-sided tape (or glue)
- Ruler
- Cutting mat
How to make your lantern:
1 Cut one sheet of white paper to a width slightly smaller than the craft paper (approximately 5cm narrower).
2 Cut three strips of white paper to match the length of the craft paper, each about 2cm wide.
3 On the back side of the craft paper, use a ruler and pencil to mark lines 1cm from the long edges at the top and bottom of the paper.
4 Make additional marks every 1cm along these lines.
5 Connect the marks with perpendicular lines, resembling a ladder, using the ruler as a guide.
6 Using a craft knife and ruler, carefully cut along the marked lines, ensuring not to cut beyond the lines drawn in step 3.
7 Remove one of the 1cm strips at the end of the sheet to create a gap.
8 Stick two long strips of double-sided tape along the top and bottom (long) edges of the white paper.
9 Attach the craft paper to the white paper, aligning the top and bottom edges. As the white paper is narrower, the craft paper should form a curved shape.
10 Apply a strip of double-sided tape along the shorter edge where the opening was created in step 7.
11 Stick the opposite edge of the white paper over the tape, forming a cylinder with the white paper and the craft paper protruding outward.
12 Using the double-sided tape, affix two of the white strips (cut in step 2) along the top and bottom rims of the lantern.
13 Shape the remaining strip into a curved form and secure both ends to the top of the lantern using the tape.
Place an LED tealight under your lantern to create a warm glow or hang your lantern using twine. Your paper lantern is the perfect addition to a cosy corner in the living room, or even as a centrepiece on a dining table during a special occasion.
Want to make your own stunning paper lantern that looks just like this one? You can find this beautiful floral craft paper inside Issue 36 – The Mindful Quiet.
