Pretty Paisley Paper Lanterns - for girls bday party!

HOW TO: make a Pretty Paisley Paper Lantern
This is how to make a Pretty Paisley Lantern using pink and purple paper, on a black and white printer. I got and saved these images from clip art (key words: animal, prints, designs) and the paper is Xerox printer paper in various colors.

This is not completely finished, it needs to be stapled or taped into place, and a handle added. But image a bunch of these, different shades of pink and purple, with paisley, animal and shabby chich designs - black handles all hanging from the ceiling at different lengths. Way cool, cute and cheap! My 3 favorite c's!

Pretty Paisley Paper Lantern



Step 1) Go into WORD or a general computer document making program - insert a clip art or picture onto page. Or use the ones I have provided

Step 2) Find different patterns, prints and designs on line, in clip art, etc. Choose at least 4 different patterns to make your latterens. Get creative - patterns don't have to be from the same genre or era. Dots, strips, flowers, checkers, paisley, animal prints, etc!

Step 3) Clip, crop and drag image into middle of page and make fill the entire page - so when it prints, the pattern prints over the entire paper.

Step 4) Convert image to a "black and white" or some could use "gray scale" - OR make sure when you go to print that the printed is set on black and white. You could use color but not many colors print well on colored paper...but be creative!

Step 5) Fold paper in half long ways

Step 6) Cut 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch strips that are 4 inch long in from the fold - leaving approx 1 1/2 at the top or for the base and top of lantern

Step 7) Unfold that paper, circle the paper together, then staple or tape the edges together - (see diagram, then pictures)

Paper Lantern Diagram

This is great paisley design because it covers the whole page with out "stretching". 

You can also use animal prints - there is a significant more amount of ink being used but the effects are the same!

For me personally, I like adding a different color handle and "base". In this case black. If you take black construction paper and cut it on the short side - 1 inch strips, to make 11 strips - you make enough for five lanterns. See my other blog about decorating with paper lanterns. Enjoy!!