Paper Lantern Place Cards

To make these little lanterns, we used the first template on this linked file, printed on cardstock at 90% of original size. The original design has a handle, but Blaze said he didn't want ours to include the handle, since it wouldn't be hanging up.



I cut out the lanterns, but Blaze did most of the painting.




I like mixed metallics for decorations with a steampunk look, so we used gold, silver, and copper "Liquid Leaf" to paint over the white cardstock. These lanterns could also be made out of metallic or printed scrapbook paper and avoid the painting altogether.



Each lantern needed four pictures of the person it was intended for, printed on plain white, pearlescent velum. I chose pictures from past Christmases, that also fit with our steampunk theme.
The windows are 2-inches by 2-inches, so each picture was printed slightly larger than that. Do not use liquid glue to attach the pictures (I learned the hard way, that velum and liquid glue don't get along well). A stick of school glue works great for this.





Place a small electric candle inside of each lantern. Do not use wax candles, since the velum could easily catch fire.





Place one lantern on, or just above, each plate on the table, to mark where each person will sit.