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DIY Party Lanterns with Napkins and Glitter

This is yet another great way to DIY your next celebration – decorate party lanterns with napkins, glitter, and Mod Podge. So easy!

This is yet another great way to DIY your next celebration - decorate a party lantern lantern with glitter and Mod Podge. So easy!

Are you ready to get your summer party on? Not quite – you don’t have paper lanterns yet! I love party lanterns, but I don’t always love how they are plain white. So like I always do, I decided to jazz one up with Mod Podge.

If you want to know the truth, I’d never decoupaged with napkins before I tried this project. It turned out not to be so hard at all! A little glitter and Mod Podge and I was good to go. Here’s how I decorated my paper lantern.

Outdoor Party Lanterns

Gather These Supplies

  • Paper lantern(s) – these can be found online, at Target, at IKEA or in packs at the dollar store
  • Mod Podge Satin (you can use any formula, really)
  • Napkins – as many as you need, I used about 6
  • Scissors or a Die Cutter
  • Paintbrush
  • Glue
  • Glitter in your choice of shades
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First I separated the patterned part of the napkin from the back part. Tear carefully because napkins are fragile when they are in separate sheets.

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I ran the napkins through my die cutter using floral shapes. You can cut anything out of the napkin that you want. Now that I think about it, it might have been fun to just do big polka dots!

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Mod Podge the flower shape onto the lantern. My napkin pieces were so thin that I didn’t even have to Mod Podge underneath the shape.

I just placed it down, carefully Mod Podged over the top and it soaked right in. Be careful not to tear. Patting down with the end of the brush helps.

When I was done I coated the whole lantern with Mod Podge and let it dry. Did you know it’s harder to tear the lanterns after they’ve been covered?

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Because I can’t leave anything alone, I decided to get fancy with some glitter. I had an ultra fine tip on my glue bottle, but you don’t necessarily need it.

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Sprinkle glitter on your glue and shake off the excess.

This is yet another great way to DIY your next celebration - decorate a party lantern lantern with glitter and Mod Podge. So easy!
This is yet another great way to DIY your next celebration - decorate a party lantern lantern with glitter and Mod Podge. So easy!

Admire your handiwork. You only have 29 more to go before you are ready for your outdoor party. See you there!

If you enjoyed this craft, I’d love for you to try these other ideas!

creativejewishmom/sara

Thursday 12th of July 2012

So much fun Amy! thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday! And to stay sane one could of course pair this one with some solid blue lanterns for a great look for a lot less work!

Steph @ The Silly Pearl

Tuesday 10th of July 2012

So pretty, Amy! My girls would love some of these in their room.

Johnnie

Sunday 8th of July 2012

Mod Podge, Sizzix and glitter, all in the same project!! I have to go outside and do a cartwheel now.

xoxo,Johnnie

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage

Sunday 8th of July 2012

I love those pretty little lanterns and if it has glitter, it's only BETTER =)

Chrissy Leiberan-Titus

Saturday 30th of June 2012

Hi Amy! Those look awesome! Apparently a trip to the dollar store is in store for me! Thank you for sharing this tutorial! I love it!Chrissy