FIGURES IN THE SHADOWS

Blogger Jamie Lundstrom at So Much Better with Age made these simple paper lanterns out of inexpensive gift bags! To recreate the project, print out or purchase various silhouette images of crows, bats, or other Halloween icons such as jack-o’-lanterns or cats. Cut out one image and tape it to a black kraft gift bag. Place a small cutting board or mat inside the bag and flatten it. Using a rotary cutter or craft knife, cut around the silhouette. Cut a piece of vellum slightly smaller than the flattened bag and tape it inside the bag to cover the silhouette cutout. Repeat to make as many lanterns as you like. Add two battery-operated votives to each bag and then tie the lanterns to a length of twine to fashion a glowing garland. Or, weather permitting, add some sand to the bags to hold them down and position one on each porch step or several along the sidewalk to function as lively luminaries. ★