Here is a fun way to add a festive garland to a party that also adds some cool lighting when the sun goes down, Polka Dot Paper Lanterns.
Even better, these will cost almost nothing to make because you use empty toilet paper rolls! I painted the rolls white and then lined them with some tissue paper I had saved with my wrapping papers. The colors of the tissue paper really pop against the white.
When they are lit up dots of colored light shine through the tissue. I have to say, it made me a little giddy the first time I plugged these in a dark room.
Polka Dot Paper Lanterns
Supplies:
- empty toilet paper rolls
- acrylic or spray paint (optional)
- glue, school or tacky glue
- tissue paper
- floral wire
- christmas lights*
Tools:
- exacto knife
- hole punch
- paintbrush (optional)
1. Using the exacto knife, cut the toilet paper tubes in half, to make approximately 2″ tubes.
2. If you are going to paint your tubes, do it now. Let dry.
3. Punch holes all over the tube.
For fun I used two different size hole punches.
4. Cut a piece of tissue paper the height of the tube, approx 2″ and long enough to go around the inside of the tube.
5. Put glue on the inside of the tube, making sure to especially get the top and bottom. Glue the tissue paper inside the tube with the color facing out through the holes. Let dry. Trim if needed.
Do them all in one color or mix it up like I did.
6. Put a small hole in on either side of the tube about 1/8″ – 1/4″ from the top of the tube. A straight pin does this easily.
7. Cut a length of floral wire about 5″. Wrap it around the bottom of a bulb on your Christmas lights. Put the ends through the holes you created in step 6 from the inside out.
Center the bulb inside the lantern and bend the ends of the wire in to secure it.
Hang and create a fairy land.
*A note about the lights I used. I experimented with some different Christmas lights for these. At first I used the newer led lights which have a small bulb. The bulb is so small on those it doesn’t light up the whole lantern as well as I would have liked. I switch to the more traditional lights with the longer bulb and you can see how nicely it lights the whole thing. Just make sure you are using modern lights that don’t heat up.
© 2005 – 2013 Kathy Lewinski & Susan Cornish
wonderful idea! Enjoy your birthday.
Pingback: Toilet Paper Roll Lights — Totally Green Crafts
AH! These are beautiful! May have to knock some of these up for my wedding next year! Thanks for the idea!
Pingback: Guirnalda con faroles de cartón
Pingback: How to make recycled paper tube polka dot lights | Recycled Crafts | CraftGossip.com
this is so clever, love the polka dots and reuse of materials!
WOW AMAZING BEAUTIFUL … SUCH PASSION SHOWS IN YOUR CREATIONS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FINDING YOUR WAY TO BRING THIS ART TO LIFE AND FOR SHARINGIT WITH THE WORLD …
LOVE LIGHT AND LAUGHTER
PEACE
I CAME HERE VIA CRAFT GOSSIP NEWSLETTER ..
Pingback: Rolne toalet papira - Uradi sam ideje - LifePress magazin - LifePress magazin
Pingback: Great Craft Ideas - March 2014 - Crafts by Amanda
Pingback: Passo a Passo para fazer uma Luminária para enfeitar a sua Festa Junina | Atividades Jardim colorido para o Ensino Infantil
Pingback: 30 Great Ways to Re-Use Empty Toilet Paper Tubes
Pingback: Polka Dot: The Great Design Tool | Decozilla
Pingback: Objetos decorativos hecho con tubos de cartón
Pingback: 15 usos diferentes para rollos de carton - Sweet Things
Pingback: 15 Different Uses for Toilet Paper Rolls - Sweet Things
Pingback: 3 ideas para decorar la Navidad con guirnaldas de luces - Decoracion - EstiloyDeco
Pingback: 3 ideas para decorar la Navidad con guirnaldas de luces | javier cantero design
Pingback: Amazing DIY Garden Lighting Ideas - DIYCraftsGuru
Pingback: Just 27 Fun And Useful Things To Make From Toilet Paper Rolls
Pingback: Fun Ways To Recycle Paper Towel and Toilet Paper Rolls - Amazing Deals Finder
Pingback: Μην πετάτε τα Χαρτόνια από τα Ρολά Υγείας! Δείτε 12 Καταπληκτικές Ιδέες για να τα ξανά Χρησιμοποιήσετε! - GR FEED
Pingback: Μην πετάτε τα χαρτόνια από τα ρολά υγείας! Δείτε 12 καταπληκτικές ιδέες για να τα χρησιμοποιήσετε ξανά ‹ Trending News
Pingback: Unexpected Materials - Think Crafts by CreateForLess
Pingback: 20 DIY Garden Lighting Projects To Beautifully Illuminate Your Outdoors - DIY & Crafts
Pingback: 16 Stunning DIY Outdoor Lighting Ideas - Style Motivation
Pingback: 16 Stunning DIY Outdoor Lighting Ideas – chuckiesblog
Pingback: 8 Stunning DIY Outdoor Lighting Ideas : For Serious Garden Makeover
Pingback: 60 Toilet Paper Roll Crafts that'll make you say Thanks to your creativity
Pingback: 25 DIY Toilet Paper Roll Crafts that’s so gorgeous that you will not want to miss them > Detectview
Pingback: Decorate home with string lights and celebrate each day of your life like a festival - Saudos
Pingback: 20 DIY Garden Lighting Projects To Beautifully Illuminate Your Outdoors -
Pingback: Working from Home for Trash Free Seas | Philanthropy Media Network
Pingback: Working from Home for Trash Free Seas | YourEarth Solutions
Pingback: Ocean Conservancy | Radio Reggae from Club Tropical
Pingback: 15 einfache DIY Weihnachtslicht Ideen, die absolut charmant sind - De.Chromeonlinegames.com - Super DePins
Pingback: Christmas lantern Ideas Using Recycled Materials - Kids Art & Craft
Pingback: 13 Beautiful DIY Lanterns You'll Want to Make By Recycling - Bren Did
Pingback: 15 cosas prácticas que puedes reutilizar antes de tirarlas | El Rincón De Fafa