LUNAR NEW YEAR PAPER LANTERNS

Instructions

Cut Paper Shapes

Step 1 - Open Cricut design space app to start creating your paper pieces for your lanterns, click on the below link to the shapes used for each lantern. We used scallop edge circles, ovals, scallop edge squares and scallop edge rectangles to make the lanterns.

https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/618cbc65663aa0636d1c7f2e

The shapes used for this project vary in design and size, you can change the scale and shape of these by clicking 'customize' when opening file in design space app.

Step 2 - Arrange the shapes you would like to use on your canvas in the design space app. Each lantern uses 6 to 8 paper shapes, therefore cut each shape in at least 6 different coloured papers.

Step 3 - Your designs are now ready to be cut out. Press "Make It" in the top right-hand corner and follow the prompts to connect your machine and cut out your design.

Step 4 - Load your chosen card onto the mat and insert into the machine. Press the flashing C button when ready and watch the cricut machine cut out your design. Remove cut outs from the mat and prepare mat for next cut.

Step 5 - Repeat this step, changing your cardstock each time so you have at least 6 cut outs of each shape in 6 different colours and patterns.

Make Lanterns

Step 1 - To make your lanterns, select one shape to begin with, for example the Scallop Edged Circles.

Step 2 - Fold the Scallop Edged Circles in half vertically, making sure the shape is symmetrical when folded in half with the pattern side folded inwards and plain side showing on the outside. The folded edge will become the center of the lantern and the plain side will be the side to apply glue and tape to.

Step 3 - Select a tassel to use for the lantern and tape down in the center of the folded line on one shape, making sure you tape it over the plain side of the paper (the pattern side must be folded inwards). Leave a half centimeter gap between the top knot of the tassel and the edge of the shape when you tape down the tassel.

Step 4 - Tie a piece of string, any length to the top of the tassel loop and use this later for hanging your lantern.

Step 5 - Using a glue stick, cover one half of the folded shape on the plain side where you have taped down the tassel, then stick one half of a second shape to the glued side. Make sure the folded centers align and the outside edges align.

Step 6 - Repeat step until all shapes are glued together and the lantern is enclosed. When you twirl the lantern, you will see each of the paper colours and designs you have used, you can vary the number of colours in your lantern by gluing more or less shapes together.