Flower Bouquet Lantern: Beautiful DIY Arrangement

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE FLOWER BOUQUET LANTERN DESIGNS

First, download my Flower Bouquet Lantern files from my free library – look for Design #740. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the SVG folder, you’ll find “score” and “noscore” versions for both variations of my design to cut on a cutting machine.

The “score” versions require a Scoring Stylus or Single Scoring Wheel to create smooth lines for folding. If you don’t have a scoring tool, or if you prefer dashed cut lines, you can use the “noscore” versions instead. You’ll also find a folder with versions to cut on the Cricut Joy.

There is also a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR FLOWER BOUQUET LANTERN DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.
   NOTE: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.
   
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse” and select the lantern SVG file you want to use.
   NOTE: I’ll demonstrate with the “score” version of the “floral” file, but the preparation and cutting steps are the same for both designs.
   
4. Click “Open,” and then “Continue.”
5. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.
   TIP: You can click the “Minus (-)” icon to zoom out and see everything.
   
   
   
   NOTE: On your Canvas, you'll have four teal vase frame pieces, two teal circular base pieces, and six teal decorative panels for the vase, as well as six optional gray diffuser panels. There are also six large orange and yellow flowers with four layers each, and six small orange and yellow flowers with three layers each for the bouquet. For the foliage, there's a light green front piece, a dark green back piece, and three yellow bud pieces.
   
6. Click “Save” and give your project a name so you can find it easily.
7. “Ungroup” the design to work with the elements separately. You can drag them apart to see everything as needed.
8. If you don’t want to cut the diffuser pieces, drag the decorative panels away to expose the gray diffuser layers. Select the diffuser pieces and click the “Trash” icon to delete them.
   
   
   
9. To change the color of a piece to match the cardstock you’ll cut it from, select the piece in the Layers Panel, click the Color Box next to “Operation,” and choose a new option.
   NOTE: If the piece is in a grouped layer, click the small arrow to expand the group and then select the single piece you want to change.
   
10. If you’re using the “score” version, scroll down in the Layers Panel to find six groups of panel pieces, each indicated by a small arrow.
    NOTE: We need to adjust these groups to make sure the Score lines are made on the panel tabs correctly.
    
11. In the Layers panel, click the arrow to expand the first panel Group.
    
    
    
12. Select the top layer with the solid lines and change its “Operation” to “Score” so the Cricut knows to make the crease lines where your panel tabs will be folded.
    
    
    
    NOTE: The score lines for this project are all red, which is reflected in the Color Box when selecting a line layer.
    
13. Click the Group layer with the arrow to select both layers in this group, then click “Attach” to keep your crease lines with your cut shape.
    
    
    
    NOTE: The newly Attached group will jump to the top of the Layers Panel.
    
14. Repeat Steps 11-13 for the five remaining groups of panels, changing the lines to “Score” and Attaching them to their cut shapes.
15. Your project is ready to cut!
    
    
    

CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
2. Click “Make.”
3. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected for your materials.
   NOTE: I’m using “8.5 in x 11 in” for my vellum mats, and “12 in x 12 in” for my cardstock mats.
   NOTE: If you see a mat with just lines, one or more of your score layers may not have attached correctly, so click “Cancel” to return to the Canvas to check and adjust as needed.
   
   
   
4. After you’ve prepared your mats, select the first mat again and click “Continue.”
   NOTE: My first mat is the vellum diffusers, but yours may be different if you’re not using them or have changed some colors.
   
5. On the Make screen, set the Material Settings for your first mat. Mine has diffuser panels. I’m using the “Vellum” setting with “More” Pressure to cut my diffuser panels.
   
   
   
6. Place the vellum face up on a blue LightGrip machine mat.
   TIP: You can also use a less sticky green StandardGrip machine mat.
   
   
   
7. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
8. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
9. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
10. Press the flashing middle button to begin cutting.
11. When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Instead, gently lift a corner to make sure the material is cut all the way through. If it's not, press the middle button again to make the same cuts in the same spots.
    
    
    
12. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the material.
    TIP: If you have any issues with your cuts, check out my Tips for Cleaner Cuts tutorial at jennifermaker.com/cleaner-cuts.
    
13. When you get to your cardstock mats, adjust the material settings to “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” with “More” Pressure.
    
    
    
    NOTE: If your mat has score lines, follow the screen prompts to select and add your scoring tool. Depending on your machine, click “Edit Tools” and select the Scoring Stylus to load both the scoring tool and the blade at the same time. Or you can select the Scoring Wheel and switch tools when prompted. Click “Apply” to close the “Edit Tools” window.
    NOTE: If you’re using the “noscore” version, you won’t see the Scoring Tool prompts since all of your creases are dashed cuts.
    
14. Place the cardstock face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat.
    
    
    
15. Follow Steps 7-12 above to cut your cardstock mats.
    TIP: Use the spatula to help lift delicate parts, and your weeding tool to poke out small bits of cardstock that are still attached to your cut pieces.
    
    
    
16. Use a scraper tool to remove the small bits of cardstock left on your mat after you remove the cut pieces.
17. After you’ve cut all your pieces, lay them face up in organized piles. You should have:
    
    For the vase: two main frame pieces with slits at the bottom of the neck, one frame piece with slits at the top and bottom of the neck, one frame piece with a slit at the top of the neck, two circular base pieces, six decorative panels, and six diffuser panels (if you cut them)
    
    For the bouquet: one back foliage piece, one front foliage piece, and three bud pieces
    
    For the large flowers: six back petal pieces, six front petal pieces, six back center pieces, and six front center pieces
    
    For the small flowers: six petal pieces, six back center pieces, and six front center pieces
    
    
    

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR FLOWER BOUQUET LANTERN

ASSEMBLE THE FLOWER BOUQUET

1. To assemble a large flower, lay a large back petal piece face up in your work area and add a small amount of craft glue in the center.
   TIP: If you’re not sure about the pieces’ order, use your Cricut Design Space Canvas for reference.
   
   
   
2. Hold a front petal piece over the back piece and rotate it so it fills the gaps between the back piece’s petals.
3. Center and lower the front piece onto the back piece, then press and hold the center to adhere.
   
   
   
4. Use a paper towel or your finger to wipe away any excess glue.
5. Add a small amount of glue to the back center piece’s middle, then center and adhere a small front center piece on top.
   
   
   TIP: Use tweezers to help position the front center piece.
   
6. Add a small amount of glue to the front petal piece’s middle, then center and adhere the assembled flower center on top.
   
   
   
7. Repeat Steps 1-6 to assemble the remaining five large flowers.
8. Then follow Steps 5-7 to assemble the six small flowers.
   NOTE: The Joy version of the small flowers only has one petal piece and one center piece.
   
   
   
9. Use your fingers to fold up and shape the petals around the centers for all of the flowers.
   TIP: Use something thin and cylindrical (like a marker or Scoring Stylus) to roll the petals up for smoother curves.
   
   
   
10. Lay the back foliage piece face up on your work surface, then lay the front foliage piece on top so the two bud sepals (the stem tips with four points) near the center line up.
    
    
    
11. Add a small dot of craft glue to the bottom front of a bud piece and adhere it to the back of a bud sepal on the front foliage piece. Then repeat for the other two bud pieces and sepals.
    NOTE: The bud piece will end up being sandwiched between the two foliage layers.
    
    
    
12. Flip the front foliage piece face down and quickly add glue to the back.
    TIP: Use thin lines of craft glue for the stems and dots for the circles, and avoid getting glue on the backs of the attached buds.
13. Then flip the front foliage piece face up and align it on top of the back piece (the same as in Step 10).
    
    
    
14. Press and hold to adhere the two foliage pieces.
15. Add a small dot of glue to a circle on one of the foliage stems, then center the bottom of a flower on top. Press and hold to adhere. Then repeat for the remaining 11 circles and flowers.
    TIP: Refer back to your Design Space Canvas for even flower placement.
    
    
    

ASSEMBLE THE LANTERN VASE

1. Add craft glue to the bottom lip of the assembled foliage piece.
   
   
   
2. Line up the top lip of a main vase frame piece (with the slit at the bottom of the neck) with the foliage piece’s bottom lip, then press and hold to adhere.
   
   
   
3. Flip over your foliage and attached frame piece.
4. Add glue to the back of the frame piece and the bottom lip of the foliage, avoiding the slot areas.
5. Align and adhere the other main vase frame piece on top, then press and hold until the glue sets. Make sure you’re adhering the matching frame piece with the slit at the bottom of the neck, and that all the slits align with each other before the glue dries.
   TIP: Make sure the edges are sealed well. The Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue’s precision tip comes in handy if you need to add glue!
   
   
   
6. Take the vase frame piece with slits at the top and bottom of the neck and slot it inside the main vase frame.
   
   
   
7. Fold the two frame pieces flat against each other, then slot in the final frame piece.
   
   
   
8. Unfold the frame pieces, and stand the constructed frame upright.
9. Insert the bottom base piece’s six outer slits into the three frame pieces’ bottom slits.
   NOTE: The bottom base is the one with a hole in the center, which allows access to the lights in the assembled lantern.
   
   
   
10. Insert the solid top base piece’s six outer slits into the three frame pieces’ top slits.
    TIP: Curve the inner frames slightly if needed to fit them into the top base piece’s slits.
    
    
    
11. Take the first panel piece and fold back the top and bottom horizontal crease lines.
12. Then fold back the top tab’s two wings along the vertical crease lines, and do the same for the bottom tab wings.
    NOTE: If your panel has words, make sure they’re facing the correct direction when you fold the tabs back.
    
    
    
13. If using the vellum diffuser pieces, insert one onto the back of your folded panel, using the wings to hold it in place.
    
    
    
14. Repeat Steps 11-13 for the five remaining panels and diffusers (if using).
    
    
    
15. Insert a panel’s top and bottom tabs into the first section of the frame’s top and bottom base slots.
    
    
    
16. Unfold each tab’s wings to lock the panel in place.
17. Repeat Steps 15-16 to insert the next four panels.
    NOTE: We will insert the last panel after we put the lights inside.
    
    
    
18. Test your lights to make sure they work, including any remotes depending on your light source. You may have to remove a battery protector tab first.
19. If you’re using an LED tea light or puck light, place it in the bottom of the vase on the flat section.
    
    
    
20. If you’re using fairy lights, remove any twist ties, and then unwind the lights.
21. Loosely wrap the wire around your fingers to make a coil to evenly distribute the lights.
    
    
    
22. Place the coil of lights and the battery pack inside the lantern.
    TIP: Position the battery pack so the power switch is easily accessible via the openings in the bottom of the lantern. OR, to keep the battery pack accessible without having to reach inside the lantern, slide the battery pack through a bottom hole in the back of the lantern and keep it hidden behind the lantern.
    
    
    
23. Once your lights are inserted, slot in the final panel.
    
    
    
24. Your lantern is ready for display!
    

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF

You now have a beautiful flower bouquet lantern!