HALLOWEEN LANTERNS
Made from tissue paper, these translucent designs look great at night lit by a glow-stick or battery-powered lamp placed inside.
YOU WILL NEED
balloons PVA glue 4 sheets of wet-strength white tissue paper per balloon scissors 4cm-wide paintbrush 2-3 sheets of coloured tissue paper scalpel or craft knife and cutting mat yellow or orange glow-sticks twine bradawl 60cm-long twigs, branches or bamboo canes Blow up the balloons – as many as you need – and tie the ends in a knot to close. Cut the white tissue paper into (roughly) 10cm x 10cm squares. Cover an area of the balloon with PVA glue (you may need to mix it with a little water if it is too thick), then lay the tissue paper squares onto the glued surface so they overlap. Repeat until the whole balloon is covered, leaving a gap at the base big enough to fit a glow-stick. Using the same method, cover the balloon evenly with two layers of tissue in total (with squares cut from two large sheets of tissue). Tie string to the end of the balloon and hang it up to dry where it can’t stick to anything. A washing line, or length of string with small pegs attached is ideal. Once it is dry, stick another two layers of white tissue on the balloon (use up all of the tissue), then paste glue over the surface of the balloon. Allow to dry and cover with one more layer of glue. Hang the balloon up to dry. Repeat this process for as many balloons as you need. Once all the balloons are dry, take the tied end of the balloon and cut with scissors. The balloon will shrivel inside the lantern and should pass through the hole at the end. You may need to blow into the papier mâché shell for it to regain its shape. Draw and cut out simple silhouette shapes of leaves, woodland animals and pumpkins in contrasting coloured tissue paper – red, orange, black, purple and deep yellows work well. Arrange loosely into a pattern and, when happy with the design, glue in place by applying a thin layer to the chosen area of the lantern and laying the tissue on top. Once dry, make two holes opposite each other with the bradawl, 2.5cm down from the balloon opening. When you are ready to use your lantern, snap a glow-stick, thread with string and place in the opening of the lantern. Thread twine through the holes at the opening of the lantern and tie together in a knot; this can then be tied onto a bamboo stick/twigs or hung from a tree branch. Use indoors or out: suitable for dry weather only.