Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Cuttlebug Challenge Blog--Festival of lights!!!

...a riddle for You:

What is over 15 inches long
made of paper, vellum, & Cuttlebug folders
& hopes to light up your creativity?

This thinger!

heeheehee :o)

Here's a pictorial for how to make this large lantern
out of paper and heat-embossed vellum:




Please click the photos to visit the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog





This is a tutorial for a BIG hanging lantern with mosaic tiles of Cuttlebug embossing. You might not be able to tell from the photos but it's over 15 inches (or 38.1 cm) long! --Let's just say it is the largest thing I've ever made from paper.

The template for this lantern (created by Martha Stewart) uses a fair bit of paper (3 large sheets to construct it & 6 standard sheets to embellish it) but the scale of it is ever so impressive. (All the template links are at the bottom of this post.)

This pictorial... has a lot of steps, but despite all my rambling, ;o)
the steps are really easy & fun because...
  • You don't need to make perfect cuts--the style is playful.
  • No complicated embossing--just small tile-like pieces.
  • and You can use all of your embossing folders on one project!
Project Summary:

1) Make one master template piece.
2) Trace the template 3 times, score & cut the 3 panels.
3) Print, cut & Emboss 3 more panels with embossing folders to decorate it.
4) Adhere the embossed pieces to the panels & embellish however you like.
5) Add sheer panels & Assemble the lantern.
6) Add a hanger (string or whatever you have to hang it with).

Materials:

--Various embossing folders

--Large paper (measuring approximately 10 inches x 16 inches or longer--or 25.4 cm x 40.6 cm.) Watercolour paper or bristol or any other "art" paper is good for this. 100lb is lovely. Art papers are great because they are acid/lignin free...but if you can't find them, you can just recycle cardboard or other packaging.

--6 sheets of standard cardstock [A4 sheets measuring 8.5 x 11 inches (or 21.6 cm x 27.9 cm)] The colour of this cardstock should be the colour you want your finished lantern to be. I used white.

--2 sheets of any old spare colour at all (to use as a template you will trace & discard).

Miscellaneous:
--Paper trimmer and/or scissors
--Adhesive (Tombow Monomulti & Oh so Sticky tape)
--Pencil, Ruler, Eraser
--1/8" Hole punch & String (to hang it)
--Paper piercer, needle, thread, & bugle beads
--Heavy weight vellum cardstock & Background stamp
--white pigment ink, embossing powder, heat gun



Step 1) Print the template, cut it & stick it together:

1 A) Print the two parts of the template on any spare cardstock.

1B) Cut the 2 templates out along the solid line (leaving the area where the page continues beyond the template intact so you can use it to overlap when you put them together in the next step).

1C) Line the 2 sheets up with each other & adhere them.
TIP: You can use a light table or a bright window if you want to line them up precisely.



Step 2A) Trace the template onto a cardstock of your choice. Relatively heavyweight cardstock is nice for a sturdy lantern. 80-100lb is ideal.



Step 2B) You might want to use a ruler to straighten out the traced lines (in case the two template parts were not totally straight).



Step 3) Cut the 3 panels out & score (Score where the dotted line indicates to make the long tab on the side of each one).

To embellish:

Embossing the tile pieces to make a mosaic look:



Step 1) Make the Cuttlebug embossed tile pieces for a mosaic look:

1A) Print the two parts of the template 3 times...on 6 standard sheets of cardstock. The colour of this should be the colour you want your finished paper lantern to be. I chose white.

1B) Trim off exactly where the solid black line of the template ends--Using a paper trimmer (or making a straight cut however you like).

1C) Cut all the pieces out (so that there is none of the black template lines left on them.) For each template part, cut the section marked TAB off completely (or cut along the dotted line & discard that tab piece.

1D) Divide the panels into random tile-like sections for Cuttlebug embossing--Mark random lines on each template to show where to cut them up. Then, index by marking very lightly with a pencil, numbering each section, so you'll have a quick reference guide for putting them back together easily.

1E) Cut them apart. Lay them on the template and/or the other panels for easy reference.

TIPS:
Doing one panel/side at a time makes it easiest. You can label your pieces and even take a photo of them laid out for a handy reference on how to puzzle them together when you glue.

You can ink or distress the pieces before or after Cuttlebug embossing if you like



Step 2) Cuttlebug emboss the random sections/pieces.

2A) You can use all the same folder if you like; I used many different ones.



2B) Lay the embossed pieces back on the template/panels for reference (the side with the pencil marks up).



Step 3) Adhere the embossed tile pieces to the outside of each panel (Glue on the side with the pencil marks).

Create the sheer panels for the windows:



Step 1) Cut 3 triangles (of sheer material) that will fit behind the windows of each side.



Step 2) Decorate the sheer panels before adhering them into the windows: I embossed a very large stamp from Paper Garden Projects (called Cover-a-card Tapestry).



Step 3) Embellish (if you like): the front panel on this was pierced & stitching was added with bugle beads around the frame.



Step 4) Adhere the sheer panels inside the window.

The possibilities for styling your sheer panels are as limitless as your imagination:

Stamp or emboss on vellum, printable acetate etc...
Print a digital image, photograph, clip art, or anything.
Use rub-ons on a clear/sheer paper of any kind.
Embroider a heavy weight vellum or acetate panel.
Make a faux stained glass panel.
Tissue on acetate or any other semi sheer technique.
Use any of the store-bought printed acetate sheets.
Use any die-cut/cut-out sheets.
Use sheer fabric adhered to acetate or vellum for stability.

Assemble the finished panels:



Put strong double-sided tape along the tabs & attach the panels to each other.

Add a hanger:



Punch holes in the top middle of each panel & add string (or wire, or fishing line).



and then light it up! :o)



The Template:

A tutorial for the original style of this lantern is here on Martha Stewart

The templates and clipart PDFs can be found here: witch, owl, moon, cat 1, or cat 2. The first of each PDF page has a Halloween image, but the last two pages have the templates (part one & two) that you'll need if you'd like to make one of these.


Hope you have a day glowing with mojo!

61 comments:

Yvonne said...

This is so beautiful. so much work has gone into this x

Unknown said...

Beautiful. I love your blog, you are so detail orentated and creative, Thank you sharing all you do.

Anonymous said...

Mel your a pure Genius!!!!!This is `Gorgeous` fab tut..Yahah way to go...TFI
Have a fab evening:)xxx

Elaine A said...

Hi Mel -

I was over at the Cuttlebug Challenge blog site and saw your latern. I must tell you again, how very lovely I think it is. I really think you've outdone yourself this time sweetie.

Elaine Allen

csroyal said...

Over the top fantastic, Mel!!! Amazing work!

Unknown said...

Love this "Light".......You have gone above and beyond with this project. Thanks for sharing. I always love seeing what you do.
dj_enns@yahoo.com

Jessie said...

This is so cool! And thanks for the tutorial!

Axes DesigNs said...

Your creations always are amazing! Love it!

Rhonda Miller said...

Wow, how beautiful. I love it.

Kim Etherington said...

Stunning! So darn creative it kills me girl. If I had an ounce of your creativity, I'd be in heaven! They are lucky to have you on their DT.

Karey said...

I'm enjoying seeing all the light projects. What a unique way to use scrapbooking products.

Liz said...

Very cute project

Crea Grea said...

Wow, i love this one. Love your blog!

mustangkayla said...

This is sssooo cool! What a fantastic blog you have!

Laurie Marmon said...

very pretty! a lot of work but it looks worth it for the beautiful product in the end. thanks for sharing.

kate blue said...

sweet! I could never do this due to the whole measuring thing & detailed work but it is gorgeous to look at!

Karen AKA Soccerboyzmom said...

I JUST LOVE ALL THESE PROJECTS

Lucci Altman said...

All I can say is WOW!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your lantern. It is beautiful. smg
smgunderscoregdpathotmaildotcom

CherylP said...

Very elegant project. Thanks for telling what the size is too. That really put it in perspective for me.

- - Sheryl - - said...

I also left a comment on the main blog when I saw your design. Great tip on the embossing mosaic!

lisa808 said...

Your projects are always amazing!

ladyobie said...

Another beautiful project!

Loz said...

Stunning!! I'm going to have to attempt this one!

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

Your design is absolutely beautiful Mel!!! TFS

Terry

Jana Eubank said...

WOW!!! This is so incredible! Love the shape!

dj1952 said...

Fantastic job. I think I asked on the other link what kind of light you used, but from seeing other's work and seeing that they used battery operated tea lights, I'm figuring that's what you used also. (I was kinda wondering how you would use real tea lights!) LOL.

TFS,

dj1952

Anonymous said...

Wow... I love this lantern!! Soooo pretty! Your attention to detail is fabulous! TFS!

Lizzie from Texas
lizlillis44@yahoo.com

Jamilie said...

Love it! Your blog is awesome also!

creativearts said...

Mel, this is awesome! You have so many great techniques on your blog! I wish I had time to do all of them!

ScrappinT said...

Your directions on how to make this are great!

Tamrah T. said...

I could see these throughout my house for the holiday season. Maybe take it into another season, summer. Then place them outside for a party. Another stunning project!

mawmaw2-4 said...

That is so cool!! I love the shape!! Just joined your blog and will be back alot!

reneeporter7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! Is there anything else to say? Hop Hop Hop

Jeri said...

This is soooo pretty. Just love it. I think I have some of that same vellum in my stash. I'll have to dig it out.

Krissa Brown said...

Very beautiful lantern! You have done a great job!

Leonie Castro said...

Awesome lantern! Fantastic idea, I would have never thought of this!
scrapaliciousleo@gmail.com
Love peachy keen stamps don't have any though love the chance to win some!

Dawn McCarty said...

I love this one it is sooooo beautiful.

Dayna said...

Beautiful! I love everything on your blog so much that now I'm a follower. Thanks for the inspiration.

Shelly said...

Oh very cool shape! Thanks so much!

mary said...

This is great! What a large piece! Blog hopping takes a while to do as I have to look at all the other stuff on the blog & follow some links. I love it.

Glennis F said...

Just beautiful and very impressive

Meda said...

That "thinger" is awesome and I am off to read your tutorial This is my new hobby: reading Mel's tutorials like some sort of fiction. I never get the time to make anything, but at least I do the reading, right?

ILONA said...

Hi,

it is soooo beautiful....thank you for the tutorial and the chance to win...;)

ILONA

berg4 said...

So creative! Love teh "light cover" thinger :)

Anonymous said...

Love the lantern.

Kathy
kals@zoominternet.net

Artbybdell said...

love the shape of this

Donna said...

You never cease to amaze me with your projects. You must spend hours thinking and working on these. Always so fun!

Cassandra said...

I just love this....you can really see all the wonderful details and time you put into it and it is FANTASTIC! Thank you so much for sharing all your talent and inspiration with all of us!
Hugs!
Cassandra
cvansyckle@gmail.com

Rachel said...

beautiful! I love the detail you provide in your blog! positively amazing!

Unknown said...

your creativity wows me!
love it love it!

Hope said...

I love your blog! It is bursting with creativity!! Thank you so much for sharing your talent with the world!

Unknown said...

This is so gorgeous, you really outdid yourself.
hugs,
Gini

Sharon said...

Your lantern is just beautiful! Thanks for sharing!! :)

Cathy said...

What a wonderful lantern. You must have spent forever creating it. The details are amazing. Thanks so much for sharing.

Brie said...

Wow! Your lantern is beautiful!

Stephanie said...

I love the lantern, the middle-eastern feel is great.
sbalow98@yahoo.com

Carol<>< said...

Oh my goodness, I love your blog! so much to see, I'll be back
Carol<><

Unknown said...

Your light is fabulous,Joy said her favorite technique was Mels stamp diarama, now I know why, you are so very talented. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!

Kim. said...

I really love this idea as soon as I saw it I wanted to make it, I think this would make a really lovely feature in an entrance or hallway. It is beautiful.
Kim xXx

Michelle said...

Wow! Great project!