MAKE A WISH … MAKE PAPER and PET/PETE LANTERNS

Is it possible not to be enchanted by those Dandelions?

Ever since I shared the first 2 sets of lanterns, I have been think of how to make them even easier and more accessible. To be honest, it’s not that easy to find the perfect size drinking glasses

Today I am excited to share a new solution – see how we can make these magical Dandelion paper lanterns with…

up-cycled plastic water bottles!

Materials and tools:

• clear plastic water bottles from your recycle bin! Those with grooves are fine, they don’t show when lit.
• white paper : I used Neenah Exact Index Cardstock which worked beautifully to get more of the dimensional effect. This paper is the perfect weight, not too flimsy like text paper, not too heavy yet hold its shape nicely.
• LED tealight candles like these ones to make them glow. If you want a really bright glow, use these LED Warm White Fairy Lights like I did for these lanterns!
• I used a Silhouette Portrait here to cut the designs, but it’s easy enough to cut with an X-acto knife!
• clear tape
• free templates both for hand cutting and a Silhouette file which you can download at the end

First we will remove the labels and cut the clear plastic bottle to about 8″ tall. I use 1 Litre and 1.5 Liter bottles here.

The paper cutting process is the same as the first paper flower lantern tutorial.

After cutting them by hand or on your Silhouette machine, fold those petals up so the blossoms become three dimensional. When a pattern gets a little more intricate, use a spatula or butter knife to help lift them off the cutting mat.

Tape the paper to the outside of the plastic bottle.

Now light the LED candles or string lights, and drop them into the bottles.