winter's light

December days are short as darkness settles in early and makes for long evenings.
It is so nice to put out the Christmas decorations as we begin to celebrate this wonderful season.
During these times, I love the warm glow that candlelight provides. I thought it would be fun to create a winter lantern, using die cut greens and the Gypsy Soul Laser Cut lantern cage style.

The finished lantern measures approximately 3-1/2" square x 6-1/2" high. It arrives flat in 10 pieces. I like to pre-assemble the pieces before I begin my actual project. This helps me to envision the final piece, as well as understand which parts go where and the best method to put it all together.

When all of the pieces are carefully removed from the surround, use a dry rag or paper towel to wipe down all of the edges. I first paint all of the pieces with black acrylic paint.

When that paint is dry, I paint the exterior faces of each piece with brushed pewter distress paint. I use a dauber top to apply the paint lightly along the mullions and exposed edges.

When the paint has dried, I assemble the main part of the lantern. Add a small line of glue along the bottom edge of the side panels and insert the tabs into the openings in the base. I prefer to use tacky glue as it gives me a little extra open time so that I can be sure all of my pieces fit correctly, and if necessary, I am able to make adjustments before that glue has dried. I assemble three sides of the lantern base, as well as the top section. I do not glue down the uppermost top piece or the lantern door. I leave the door as a separate piece so that whatever is placed inside can be easily accessed.
A knob (handle) is added to the lantern top before it is attached to the lantern. To ensure that it is centered on the top, turn the piece over. Draw diagonal lines to opposite corners. Where these lines intersect is the center of the square.

Using a dremel (or an awl) drill a hole large enough to accommodate the knob screw, directly at the center. Slip the screw through the hole and then screw the knob onto it from the opposite side. Once the knob is secured in place, glue the top onto the lantern.

The lantern is now ready to be adorned. I had many ideas for this piece and decided to keep it simple, thus extending the period that I can leave it out on my shelf. I die cut bunches of various evergreens, then colored them using distress inks and paints.

I create a wreath to attach to the top panel around the knob and some additional greenery pieces are located around the base.  Inside, I place a red (battery operated) candle amongst the greens.
 Note: the GSLC lantern is made from flammable chipboard, do NOT use a traditional candle inside the lantern due to fire hazard

The lantern interior is easily viewed from the exterior. It could reasonably accommodate a snowy Christmas scene inside, or even a mini faux poinsettia plant. The lantern could also be used in a non-holiday fashion; perhaps as a base for a steampunk styled piece. The possibilities for this lantern are endless. I do hope that you have been inspired to create your own lantern cage style.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I truly appreciate it.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season,
~Ann 


Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:

Lantern Cage Style

Spring Lantern

Hello this is Yolie with today's project. It's late May and in Southern California, we are still getting rain. Spring made an appearance with the Super Bloom, but then quickly disappeared. The plan was to make a Summer Lantern, but I'm still in the mood for Spring. I used the Lantern Cage Style and added a faux patina with lots of blooms.

To create the faux patina, I first painted all the pieces, front and back with metallic copper and allowed the paint to completely dry.
I then painted the pieces with black chalkboard paint and before the paint dried, wiped it off with a paper towel.
Next, I painted the pieces with aqua drift and again, before the paint dried, wiped it off with a paper towel.

I then assembled the Lantern using a bit of Beacon Power-Tac adhesives to secure it in place. 

I added pretty blooms and a couple of resin butterflies.

Here's a closeup of the beautiful faux patina. I added the butterfly as doorknob to easily open the lantern door and turn on the LED tea light.

Hoping Summer is delayed so I can enjoy the Spring Lantern a little longer.
Thank you so much for visiting today and enjoy your week.

Supply List:
Lantern Cage Style No. C41C
Plaid Crafts paints: Black Chalkboard, Metallic Copper, Aqua Drift
Beacon Power-Tac adhesive
Flowers
Resin butterflies
LED tea light

Merry and Bright Lantern

Hi Everyone,
Jess here today with a Christmas Lantern.

I have to admit I had one idea for this lantern and it turned into something completely different.
I started by assembling the lantern, just to be sure I was doing it correctly and so I would know what I would need to paint.

I disassembled it and started painting.

This is a really heavy duty chipboard and paint doesn't absorb into it like it does with thinner chipboard.  I did not put down a layer of gesso. I just went right in with a thin layer of black acrylic paint.  The entire piece was covered.  Once the black was dry I stippled on metallics.  I used bronze, gold, and silver.
To decorate the top I used the snowflake border from the Winter Shape Set.  Two snowflakes fit perfectly on each side of the top.  The snowflakes got a quick coat of silver paint.I wanted to add glitter, but didn't want to deal with using glue to make the snowflakes tacky. I decided to run them through my Xyron sticker maker on the painted side.  I added a clear glitter and had very little mess.
The snowflakes were glued to the top.

Here's where I changed my mind.  I decided I wanted to make this look like an actual lantern and not a winter scene inside the lantern like I had originally planned.  I took plain tissue paper and Tim Holtz's Frosted Film to line the inside of the panels.  Vellum would work too, but I like the frosted film because it gives an icy look and feel.  I did not attach the one side that isn't notched so you can add a flameless candle inside to make it look like a real lantern.

Grit paste with glitter sprinkled on top made the snow on the lantern.  The top was covered with grit paste and my pieces were stuck in while it was still wet.

The front of the lantern has a holiday wreath and the sentiment.

Mermaid's Lantern by Lynne

Ahoy mateys! I spent some time playing around with some sea-themed goodies this week and managed to capture a mermaid in  my crackly vintage lantern:

I started with the Cage Style Lantern,, which I painted with gold acrylic paint.

I then painted it with a thick layer of Folk Art crackle medium and when hat was dry, finished it off with antique white acrylic paint and some gold ink along the edges and here and there on the surfaces. I fitted pieces from a clear blue acrylic sheet to the inside panels of the lantern'

The waves were painted with blue acrylic paint and attached to the inside of each panel along the bottom; I ended up covering most of the one in the front with the sponge, shells and compass, but they show quite clearly on the sides and back.

I ran the mermaid's tail through a Cuttlebug embossing folder that came in a set of 4 animal print folders...

I then primed her with acrylic paints and the used Twinkling H2Os to add deeper colour and a little shimmer. She was attached to a battery-operated tea light that was covered with sheer teal ribbon to soften the glow of the light.

I diecut the anchor from metallic gold paper, then heat embossed it with Distress embossing powder and rubbed it with black and brown inks for an old rusty look. I attached it with a Tim Holtz clip and chain.

I treated the Tim Holtz metal compass with the same finish. The sea sponge here is real and was found on the Queen Charotte Islands when we were there some years back (as were all the shells and driftwood that are in the background of my photos-my suitcases weighed a ton!!)

I added a small piece of driftwood and some shells to the top of the lantern, along with a little Spanish moss to give a seaweedy look.

This lantern is so versatile; it could be used for any theme or as a Christmas decoration, in any colour scheme and finish you choose. Thanks so much for stopping by to see my version, and have yourself a fabulous week!

GYPSY SOUL ITEMS USED

Lantern, cage style
Mermaids shape set
Seaside Decor (waves)

OTHER ITEMS USED

Ranger Distress embossing powder, metal compass and chain
Memory Box anchor die
Folk Art crackle medium
DecoArt acrylic paints