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Make a Paper Picnic Lantern

Add a little romance or maybe a little sparkly magic to your next picnic with pretty paper lanterns. These lanterns look really pretty at nice and are super easy to make if you have a Cricut Explore. I've created a pattern you can use that is available in the Cricut Design Space too. Pick your favorite paper colors and create a lovely little lantern perfect for any occasion! Tip: make sure to use battery operated votive candles – real candles will likely burn the paper.

Paper Picnic Lantern designed by Jen Goode
Paper Picnic Lantern designed by Jen Goode

Materials you need:

Use battery operated candles
Use battery operated candles

 

Use different colors of paper
Use different colors of paper

How to Make a Picnic Lantern with Your Cricut Explore

First visit the Cricut Design Space Make-it-Now lantern project in the Cricut Design Space and follow the on screen instructions. Once all your paper pieces have been cut, assemble the lantern:

  1. Fold lantern bottom flaps along score lines.
  2. Glue hole reinforcements to the inside of the lantern, overlapping the existing holes. These aren't required, but will help your lantern hold up to any
  3. Roll the main lantern piece and adhere in place along the edge.
  4. Fold in two opposite flaps. Do not glue these first two flaps, this will prevent glue from oozing out at the inside bottom of your lantern, keeping the presentation clean and pretty.
  5. Fold two more opposite flaps and adhere in place.
  6. Fold the last two flaps in and adhere in place.
  7. Cut and tie twine through the holes at the top of the lantern.
  8. Add the lantern insert. Make sure the paper you use for the insert is somewhat translucent so the light can shine through.
  9. Add the battery operated votive candle. Hang and enjoy!
Steps to make your own paper picnic lantern with Cricut Explore
Steps to make your own paper picnic lantern with Cricut Explore

 

Make a paper lantern designed by Jen Goode
Make a paper lantern designed by Jen Goode

 

battery operated candles make these lanterns glow
battery operated candles make these lanterns glow

 

Hang the lanterns on a railing or set on a table
Hang the lanterns on a railing or set on a table

 

Pretty paper lanterns on the fence
Pretty paper lanterns on the fence

 

Hang lanterns in a tree
Hang lanterns in a tree

 

Pretty lanterns glow at night
Pretty lanterns glow at night

You can mix and match paper colors to accent whatever event that you'd like. You can even leave out the inside paper layer to create a brighter glow with your lantern. Hang the lanterns from a fence, from a tree branch or set out on the table. Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy atmosphere these lanterns create.

More Cricut Creativity:

More Cricut Projects to Make

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Jen is Passionate about Creativity. She is the owner and "doodle in charge" of JGoode Designs, a Denver based design studio. She is an illustrator, mixed media artist and creative lifestyle blogger. Jen has been a creative professional since 1998 but says she's been an artist since she was old enough to eat glue.

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