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Lines Across

Lets Make a Mess

Thumb Tack Paper Lanterns

March 6, 2013 by Rachel 24 Comments

I’ve had this project in my head for months, since Lauren from The Thinking Closet guest posted these awesome punched tin ornaments.

I love this project, because you probably already have everything you need on hand, and you can easily make them on the sofa while watching something on TV.

What you need:
1. Cardstock (I used textured card stock like this(Spectrum Cardstock), but you could also use standard like this (Cardstock Starter Kit)
2. A Pencil and Eraser
3. A Thumb Tack
4. Scissors or a Paper Cutter
5. Double Sided Tape
* Optional: Templates or Stencils for the Design


What you do:

1. Lightly sketch a simple design on the front center of a piece of cardstock. I really like the way that the textured paper looks. Remember that you are drawing on the side of the paper that will be showing.

2. Put your paper onto a piece of Styrofoam or foam board and start punching holes with a thumb tack along your design. Be careful to not poke two holes too close together to prevent tearing. This actually takes a lot less time than it looks like.

3. Continue making holes until you have dotted all along your design.

4. Go back and erase the pencil marks with a good eraser. Be careful and gentle and do not press the paper down against a hard surface, or the holes will close back a little bit.

5. Cut the paper into strips. I made tall versions at first, and then some shorter versions. The tall ones were 6.5″ x 11″ and the short ones were 4″ x 11″.

6. Wrap your cardstock around a cylinder (I used a large candle) and secure it with double sided tape. I found that the double sided tape was definitely strong and secure enough for this project.

These could pose a fire hazard if you just place them directly around a burning candle. I would highly recommend small flameless candles, or votive candles placed inside glass votive holders. 




I love how these lanterns look light up with candles. They are also cute during the day when the candles aren’t lit.

These were so much fun to make, I want to make more with other designs and patterns on them. A monogrammed letter would be especially cute for a wedding.

What design would you like to make?

About Rachel

Craft blogger. Color lover. Mess maker. Mom of three. You can find me at Lines Across sharing my creative adventures and tutorials on how to make stuff.

Monday Funday #8
Petite Lemon Personalized Growth Charts (Plus a Giveaway)

Comments

  1. Katie says

    March 6, 2013 at 3:28 am

    Wow these are spectacular! Seriously, I would have never of thought you used a thumbtack to create these! Love them and shared them on my FB page.

    Reply
    • Rachel (Lines Across) says

      March 6, 2013 at 6:39 pm

      Thanks so much Katie! I'm excited to meet you at SNAP. (P.S. I've been a big fan of your blog for forever now!)

      Reply
  2. Jess says

    March 6, 2013 at 3:56 am

    These are SUPER cute! 🙂

    I would love for you to join my Link Up! 🙂

    http://www.pluckys-secondthought.com/pluckys-link-up-and-blogiversary-celebration-giveaway/

    Reply
  3. Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says

    March 6, 2013 at 4:57 am

    Wow! First of all, these turned out amazingly. You can take such a simple concept and turn it into something magnificent and truly eye-catching. Second, I'm so flattered that my punched tin ornaments inspired you. Seriously, way to make my night with that one! Shared it on Twitter and FB and Stumble-Upon!

    Reply
    • linesacross@gmail.com says

      March 6, 2013 at 6:42 pm

      Thanks so much. I really LOVED those ornaments. I love simple projects that you can make with things you already have 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    • Lauren Lanker says

      June 13, 2013 at 12:06 am

      Hey Rachel! Just wanted to let you know I featured your lanterns in my Reader Showcase post today. Thanks for being so awesome! Feel free to stop by to check it out and grab a featured button.

      Reader Showcase: Spring 2013

      Hugs,
      Lauren
      The Thinking Closet

      Reply
  4. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says

    March 6, 2013 at 6:44 am

    Rachel… these are so awesome! You are such a clever, clever girl! Love them!

    Take care,

    Trish

    Reply
    • linesacross@gmail.com says

      March 6, 2013 at 6:43 pm

      Thanks so much Trish 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sylvie la GB says

    March 6, 2013 at 9:56 am

    Gorgeous !!!
    Sylvie

    Reply
    • linesacross@gmail.com says

      March 6, 2013 at 6:44 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  6. kelly thompson says

    March 6, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    I love these, very pretty!

    Reply
    • linesacross@gmail.com says

      March 6, 2013 at 6:44 pm

      Thanks Kelly!

      Reply
  7. craftythriftydecoratingwifemom says

    March 7, 2013 at 4:12 am

    Love it! b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. and easy–can't beat that. Thanks.
    Janet

    Reply
  8. Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says

    March 11, 2013 at 1:23 am

    These are really, really beautiful! I found you at Monday Funday–thanks for sharing!

    ~Abby =)

    Reply
  9. Gretchen says

    March 12, 2013 at 2:28 am

    oh, those look terrific! Pinning!

    Reply
  10. Katie @ Creatively Living says

    March 14, 2013 at 6:43 am

    I love these Rachel! Pinning to my craft board!

    Reply
  11. Nat and Holly says

    March 15, 2013 at 2:40 am

    These are gorgeous!!! I love them!

    Reply
  12. shanna says

    March 19, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    so very cute. I am going to make these. We did a craft like this in elementary school with a sheet from a coloring book taped to reynold's wrap and punched with a needle!

    Reply
  13. Kokopelli says

    April 10, 2013 at 10:48 am

    Hi Rachel, I plan on using your lantern tutorial to add to my Hawai'i summer decoration of my apartment. I shared your tut on my blog. http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.de/2013/04/10-minute-warm-up-laternen.html Thanks for sharing this great idea!

    Reply
  14. irem erol çakır says

    August 14, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    these are really super….i ve tried this…it looks really good.thanks for sharing

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    August 25, 2015 at 5:24 am

    i LOVE THEM!!!!!! their so fun and funky…. I made them at school everyone liked them….
    thanx so much for sharing your awesome creation Rachel…( i have the same name as you ) 🙂 !!!!!!!!!!
    ( its my birthday )

    Reply
  16. Linda says

    November 6, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    Where can I find a pattern

    Reply
  17. Marjolein says

    November 21, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    Where can i find the templates for these beautyfull lanterns. I would like to make them with my kids

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      November 23, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      They are really fun to make. I actually didn’t create templates for them, but I definitely should. You could print the outline of an image or pattern onto one side of the paper and make that the inside of the lantern.

      Reply

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