LIGHT OF HOPE:

DIY AUTUMN LANTERN

Susan Meyer | Nov 18, 2012

Materials

Pressed autumn leaves
Wax paper
Cylindrical oatmeal or ice cream container
Iron and ironing surface
Scissors
A piece of orange or red cardstock or construction paper
Glue

8. Hole punch

9. Handle from a paper shopping bag or
brown- or green- wrapped florist’s wire from
a craft store

10. Tea light (LED or real flame)

11. Glass votive holder or jar (if using a
real tea light)

12. Thick, cushioned double-sided tape
(if using a real tea light)

Instructions

Step 1: The Base

Cut off the bottom 3/4” of the cylindrical container, and recycle the rest. This will be the base of the lantern.

Step 2: The Body
Cut out two 18.5″ wide by 9″ tall pieces of wax paper. Place one piece on top of an ironing board. Turn iron to lowest setting. Arrange pressed leaves on the wax paper, with their most colorful side facing you.

When the leaves are arranged, carefully place the second piece of wax paper on top of the leaves. Carefully iron over the wax paper, to fuse the two pieces together.

Step 3: Putting It Together

Cut a few 3/4”-wide strips from the cardstock.

Glue a strip along the entire bottom and top edges of the wax paper, making sure the strip is glued to the side that shows the leaves’ brightest colors.

Next, attach the wax paper to the base by lining up the bottom of the wax paper flush with the bottom of the base. Carefully glue around the edges of the base, and roll the wax paper around it. You’ll end up with some overlap between the two wax paper edges, so run a thin line of glue from bottom to top at the overlap, to close the lantern into a cylindrical shape.

Step 4: Attaching a Handle

Next, make two holes with a hole punch or a pencil point close to the top of the lantern. The holes should be opposite each other. Attach whatever type of handle you’re using through the two holes. If you’re using a paper shopping bag handle or wrapped wire, either twist or glue each end together to fasten securely.

Best of Luck!