Shine a light

Create a lovely, warm atmosphere with these pretty pin-prick lanterns

You will need

• 2 small embroidery hoops per lantern

• Scissors

• Coloured card

• Pencil and eraser

• Images to trace or copy

• Thin piece of polystyrene (eg from pizza packaging)

• Sharp needle with large eye (a chenille needle is ideal)

• Double-sided tape

• 3mm satin ribbon

• Battery-operated night lights

To make

❶ Measure the circumference of the embroidery hoops and add 1cm. Cut a rectangle of card this length by the height you want your lanterns to be. Ours measured 17cm, 22cm and 25cm high.

❷ In light pencil, draw a freehand design – an urban skyline or festive motifs – on the card, using your images as inspiration.

❸ Place the polystyrene sheet under the card. Then pierce the card along the pencil lines, with holes placed very close together (2-3mm apart). This takes time and patience. When you have finished, rub out your pencil lines.

❹ Take the embroidery hoops apart. Wrap the card around the outside of the inner hoop. Mark where the edges overlap and use double-sided tape to stick the two edges together to make a cylinder. Place the inner hoop inside at one end, fit the outer hoop and tighten to fit. Repeat at the other end. Add a length of ribbon to the tightening screw to decorate. Place a night light inside and enjoy the glow.

Mint and peach mini baubles, £4.95 for 12, pipii.co.uk