homemade nature lanterns for earth day!
Forage outside and make these easy homemade nature lanterns for Earth Day!
spring is (finally) here!
Happy Earth Day all! Spring feels like a long time coming in New York but it’s finally here. I love a good, easy DIY and especially one that brings some of the outdoors in.
I’ve been smitten with these homemade nature lanterns for some time now and decided to make them and share here!
what materials do you need to make homemade nature lanterns?
Longtime readers know that while I don’t share a lot of DIYs, when I do they will: a) be easy, and b) have a short materials list. Here’s what you need for each lantern:
- balloon
- bowl
- plastic quart container
- white glue or Mod Podge
- foam brush
- tissue paper, cut into strips
- flowers and leaves
- battery-operated votive
how do you make them?
Start by blowing up and tying your balloon. If you want to re-use it you can clip it shut instead of tying. Place it upside down in one of your bowls.
Fill the quart container with water and dip a strip of tissue paper in, letting the excess drip off. Drape it over the bottom of the balloon, smoothing gently. Repeat till you’ve created a bowl-like shape.
Empty the container and refill with a 50-50 mix of water and glue, stirring to blend. Brush a strip of tissue paper with the mixture and lay it over the first layer on the balloon. Repeat this till you have a completed second layer of tissue paper.
Gently press your leaves and flowers all over.
Create a third and final layer the same way you did the second. Let dry overnight.
Remove the balloon from the bowl, turn over and cut a small hole near the top. Slowly deflate the balloon, gently pulling it away from the lantern as needed.
You now have your lantern! You can trim the edges if you like.
To display, place the votive in and turn on. You can also punch holes in the sides and use string to hang from a tree branch or hook.
I think I want to try this again in the fall!
I had a limited number of interesting leaves and flowers to use – guests had gifted me a bouquet, and I found some emerging leaves outside. But I think these would be stunning with the array of fall foliage we get so I’ll try this again in a few months. I may also try making them using a different technique so stay tuned!
Homemade Nature Lanterns for Earth Day!
Equipment
- balloon
- bowl
- plastic quart container
- tissue paper, cut into strips (see Notes)
- flowers and leaves
- string or twine, optional
Instructions
- Blow up and tie the balloon. If you want to re-use it you can clip it shut instead of tying. Place it upside down in the bowl.
- Fill the quart container with water and dip a strip of tissue paper in, letting the excess drip off. Drape it over the bottom of the balloon, smoothing gently. Repeat till you've created a bowl-like shape.
- Empty the container and refill with a 50-50 mix of water and glue, stirring to blend. Brush a strip of tissue paper with the mixture and lay it over the first layer on the balloon. Repeat this till you have a completed second layer of tissue paper.
- Gently press your leaves and flowers all over.
- Create a third and final layer the same way you did the second. Let dry overnight.
- Remove the balloon from the bowl, turn over and cut a small hole near the top. Slowly deflate the balloon, gently pulling it away from the lantern as needed. Trim the edges if you like.
- To display, place the votive in and turn on. You can also punch holes in the sides and use string to hang from a tree branch or hook.
Notes
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Hi! I'm Sheri!
Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!
