Make These Flower Lanterns _ DIY Botanical Lanterns

**DIY: Botanical Paper Lanterns with Fern Leaves**

Welcome back to Handmade! Today, we’re stepping onto my backyard patio to share a simple yet stunning craft project that will elevate your summer gatherings. If you’re like me, you might be eager to host small get-togethers this season, and I’ve been brainstorming ways to spruce up my backyard for when friends and family come over.

I already have string lights, tables, and candles ready, but I wanted to add an extra touch that would make the space truly special. Paper lanterns are a classic choice, offering a soft, whimsical glow. However, I decided to take these basic white paper lanterns and give them a botanical twist—using pressed fern leaves to create a beautiful, nature-inspired decoration.

### Why Fern Leaves?

This time of year, my garden is filled with pots of lush ferns, and their delicate leaves are perfect for this project. There’s something magical about transforming natural elements into home décor, and these pressed fern leaves will add a touch of whimsy to any space.

### How to Press Fern Leaves

The first step is pressing the fern leaves. I’ve found that using an iron is the quickest and most effective method. Here’s how:

1. **Prepare Your Workspace**: Lay down an ironing pad or similar protective surface to prevent damage from the hot iron.

2. **Use Parchment Paper**: Place two sheets of parchment paper on top of each other. This will protect both the leaves and your iron.

3. **Arrange the Fern Leaves**: Gently place a fern leaf between the layers of parchment paper.

4. **Press with an Iron**: Instead of gliding the iron, press down firmly on one area for about 10 seconds. Check to ensure the leaves aren’t burning—look for browning as an indicator they’re ready.

5. **Repeat for Remaining Leaves**: Continue pressing the second half of the fern and repeat until all moisture is removed, resulting in perfectly flattened, dried fern leaves.

Pro tip: You can press multiple leaves at once while catching up on your favorite show! With some patience, you could easily prepare 50 pressed fern leaves in no time.

### Attaching the Fern Leaves to Lanterns

Now that we’ve got our pressed fern leaves ready, it’s time to transform those plain white paper lanterns into something extraordinary. Here’s how:

1. **Choose Your Lantern**: I’m using a 10-inch lantern, but these crafty creations come in all shapes and sizes, so feel free to experiment with what works best for your space.

2. **Arrange the Leaves**: Start by adding a small dab of hot glue to the stems of the fern leaves. This will secure them to the lantern while you work on arranging them to your liking.

3. **Create Groupings**: For added visual interest, group two or three fern leaves together and spread them out across the lantern’s surface.

4. **Add an Organic Touch**: Instead of attaching the leaves straight on, give them a more natural, organic look by angling them slightly for a whimsical effect.

### Sealing with Decoupage Glue

Once you’ve arranged your fern leaves as desired, it’s important to seal them properly:

1. **Apply Decoupage Glue**: Generously apply a thick layer of decoupage glue over each leaf. Don’t be shy—this ensures the leaves will stay securely attached and weather any summer breeze.

2. **Press Down Firmly**: Use your fingers or a small brush to press down on the leaves, making sure they’re well-secured.

3. **Let It Dry**: Allow the lantern to dry overnight. If you notice any missed spots, you can always add more glue once it’s dry.

### Final Touches and Tips

After sealing, your lantern might look a bit messy with all that glue, but trust me—it dries clear! In fact, I’ve made an entire set of these lanterns, and they turned out beautifully. Plus, the process is quicker than you’d think—I knocked out a whole set in just a couple of hours.

When it comes to entertaining, remember: good wine and good food are non-negotiable, but adding these pressed fern leaf lanterns will definitely earn you the title of Hostess of the Year!

Thank you all for joining me today. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more creative ideas. Until next time—have a wonderful summer! Bye!

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enokay so my lantern is dry and i'm kind of obsessed with it hi everyone welcome back to handmade and welcome to my back patio i don't know about you all but i am really looking forward to hosting some small backyard get-togethers this summer i've been looking for a few ways to dress up my backyard a bit when i have people over i already have string lights i'll set the table i'll add some candles but i want to add an additional element that'll really give things a pop i started thinking about paper lanterns just your basic white paper lantern you can buy them almost anywhere when i go to an event and they have paper lanterns strung up i think it's so beautiful and whimsical anyways i just love these basic white paper lanterns and i thought it would be fun to add a botanical element to them i have so many pots of ferns around my house this time of year so today i'm going to show you how to press burn leaves like we have here and then use those dried fern leaves to add a little flare to the basic white paper lantern i think you're really gonna like it let's get started i like to clip six to eight fern leaves per lantern make sure you are cutting the stems long so you have plenty to work with i found the best way and the quickest to press ferns is to use an iron first be sure to protect your work surface i'm using an ironing pad next take two sheets of parchment paper this will be used to protect the fern leaves while ironing now take a fern leaf and put it in between the parchment paper it's important when pressing any kind of floral or greenery with an iron that you don't glide the iron as you would if you were ironing a shirt press down on one area of the fern for about 10 seconds now do a little check and make sure it seems like nothing is burning you'll be able to tell because the leaves will be brown if everything looks good and your iron setting seems to be correct move on to the second half of the fern and again press for about 10 seconds lift up the parchment paper and make sure there is no moisture left in the fern and then it looks nice and flat if you see there is still a little moisture left repeat the process but be sure not to burn the fern leaf look at that it's just like magic with the time it takes to watch one of your favorite shows you could probably finish about 50 at least now it's time to add these perfectly pressed fern leaves to the lantern i'm using a 10 inch lantern but these paper lanterns come in all kinds of shapes and sizes start by taking a little hot glue and arranging the ferns as you like them on the lantern by placing a little dab of glue on the stems this is basically just to hold the fern leaves in place so you can easily decoupage them to the lanterns to seal and protect them properly i like to do a couple groupings of two fern leaves and then fill in in the blank spots when i'm attaching the fern leaves to the lantern i don't necessarily like to attach them straight i like to give them more of an organic look now that i've arranged the ferns how i like them on the lantern i'm just going to trim up a bit at the top and bottom i'm going to add a thick layer of decoupage glue to each burn now when i say thick it's going to look a little ridiculous but you have to put a good layer on to make sure that the leaves are really sticking to the lantern be sure you are adding the glue to fully cover the fern you want no fern left untouched make sure the leaves are pressed down securely you can carefully dab your brush on the leaves if that's helpful i'd recommend leaving the lantern to dry overnight if you noticed you missed a spot no worries you can easily add more glue after it dries i know that right now this looks like a big gluey mess and let's be honest that's because it is but i promise you this dries clear so don't worry about that just trust the process it's so pretty and just like i said you cannot see the glue i have made an entire set of lanterns just like this one and i knocked them out within a couple of hours like we always say here at hgtv it really is all in the details if you make these paper lanterns you're going to win hostess of the year now still like give everyone good wine and good food you know you can't skip that just because you made these lanterns but it's an extra cherry on top thank you all so much for watching don't forget to like and subscribe have a wonderful summer we'll see you next time bye youokay so my lantern is dry and i'm kind of obsessed with it hi everyone welcome back to handmade and welcome to my back patio i don't know about you all but i am really looking forward to hosting some small backyard get-togethers this summer i've been looking for a few ways to dress up my backyard a bit when i have people over i already have string lights i'll set the table i'll add some candles but i want to add an additional element that'll really give things a pop i started thinking about paper lanterns just your basic white paper lantern you can buy them almost anywhere when i go to an event and they have paper lanterns strung up i think it's so beautiful and whimsical anyways i just love these basic white paper lanterns and i thought it would be fun to add a botanical element to them i have so many pots of ferns around my house this time of year so today i'm going to show you how to press burn leaves like we have here and then use those dried fern leaves to add a little flare to the basic white paper lantern i think you're really gonna like it let's get started i like to clip six to eight fern leaves per lantern make sure you are cutting the stems long so you have plenty to work with i found the best way and the quickest to press ferns is to use an iron first be sure to protect your work surface i'm using an ironing pad next take two sheets of parchment paper this will be used to protect the fern leaves while ironing now take a fern leaf and put it in between the parchment paper it's important when pressing any kind of floral or greenery with an iron that you don't glide the iron as you would if you were ironing a shirt press down on one area of the fern for about 10 seconds now do a little check and make sure it seems like nothing is burning you'll be able to tell because the leaves will be brown if everything looks good and your iron setting seems to be correct move on to the second half of the fern and again press for about 10 seconds lift up the parchment paper and make sure there is no moisture left in the fern and then it looks nice and flat if you see there is still a little moisture left repeat the process but be sure not to burn the fern leaf look at that it's just like magic with the time it takes to watch one of your favorite shows you could probably finish about 50 at least now it's time to add these perfectly pressed fern leaves to the lantern i'm using a 10 inch lantern but these paper lanterns come in all kinds of shapes and sizes start by taking a little hot glue and arranging the ferns as you like them on the lantern by placing a little dab of glue on the stems this is basically just to hold the fern leaves in place so you can easily decoupage them to the lanterns to seal and protect them properly i like to do a couple groupings of two fern leaves and then fill in in the blank spots when i'm attaching the fern leaves to the lantern i don't necessarily like to attach them straight i like to give them more of an organic look now that i've arranged the ferns how i like them on the lantern i'm just going to trim up a bit at the top and bottom i'm going to add a thick layer of decoupage glue to each burn now when i say thick it's going to look a little ridiculous but you have to put a good layer on to make sure that the leaves are really sticking to the lantern be sure you are adding the glue to fully cover the fern you want no fern left untouched make sure the leaves are pressed down securely you can carefully dab your brush on the leaves if that's helpful i'd recommend leaving the lantern to dry overnight if you noticed you missed a spot no worries you can easily add more glue after it dries i know that right now this looks like a big gluey mess and let's be honest that's because it is but i promise you this dries clear so don't worry about that just trust the process it's so pretty and just like i said you cannot see the glue i have made an entire set of lanterns just like this one and i knocked them out within a couple of hours like we always say here at hgtv it really is all in the details if you make these paper lanterns you're going to win hostess of the year now still like give everyone good wine and good food you know you can't skip that just because you made these lanterns but it's an extra cherry on top thank you all so much for watching don't forget to like and subscribe have a wonderful summer we'll see you next time bye you\n"