Autumn lanterns

March 7, 2013 | Category: kid crafty, Uncategorized

zoe ready for craft

We’re barely into this season,  but already I am determined to make the most of it and we’ve been enjoying lots of autumn colours through art this week. We’ve made watercolour paintings with red and yellow blending into orange, and leaf rubbings with wax crayons in those same colours. While we wait for the leaves to actually change, I thought we’d just bring a little of that gorgeous warm colour to us with these pretty lanterns.

You will need:
Empty glass jars
Mod podge
Waxed kite paper in autumnal colours
White tissue paper
Scissors and a paintbrush

supplies for lanterns

covering glass lantern jar with mod podge

Cover a clean glass jar with a generous layer of mod podge. I soaked the labels off some empty spaghetti sauce jars for our jars, but you could use any sort of jar you have. Attach a strip of tissue paper onto the jar. I am using white tissue paper because it’s what I already had on hand, but I imagine other colours would look pretty too. Coat with another layer of mod podge and let dry for a minute or two.

cutting out wax paper for lanterns

mod podge strips of wax paper to glass

Cut your shapes from the kite paper. Zoe cut out strips and some of the oval shapes, while I traced and cut out a couple of leaf shapes for her. Use a smaller paintbrush to apply mod podge onto each piece, then press onto the layer of tissue paper in whatever way takes your fancy. I found layering a couple of the pieces together here and there was effective, which was great since that was how Zoe was sticking them on anyway. Apply more mod podge over the top of each piece as you go.

piper helping with the lanterns

waldorf inspired autumn lanterns

waldorf inspired autumn lanterns

Finally once all of your pieces are on, coat with one more layer of mod podge and set aside to dry. The sun was (still…sigh) hot enough today that we just stuck these outside on the deck for half an hour and they were completely dried through. Put a tealight or small candle in each jar and wait until evening falls….

waldorf inspired paper and glass lanterns

zoe holding her lantern

And enjoy your beautiful new table decorations! Zoe was so excited to show the rest of the family her lanterns this evening. I am really pleased with how effective they look once lit, especially given how easy they are to make. Zoe did almost the entire things by herself, and now of course the bigger kids want to make their own too as soon as they can. Fun!

xox Amanda

 

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3 Comments

  • http://www.catfood27cents.com/ Catherine

    These are so pretty! We might have to try some springtime ones for over here.

  • Emily Sims

    What a brilliant idea! I love them! That last photo is especially enchanting xx

    • amanda

      They were a lot of fun to make and Zoe was *so* proud of them. They look just beautiful at night.