tea light candle luminarias

[bklyndoll.livejournal.com]

as a teacher my brain is already on summer (yeah, it ain't just the students) and this was seasonal craft that kept me mighty busy and makes nice housewarming gifts. one of my best guy friends kept his custom made one. sorry i can't remember where i got the original instructions but i hope mine are clear



materials:
small cardboard box (you can buy these for pretty cheap at office supply stores)
decorative tissue paper (maybe vellum would work too)
tea light candle
acrylic paint or latex house paint (i used spray paint for some of mine cause i'm lazy)
utility/xacto knife
ribbon (optional)
scissors
pen/pencil
foil

instructions:
-clean box removing any tape or peeling cardboard. open top flaps and remove two opposite sides

-use the knife to cut out a simple pattern on as many sides of the box as you desire. you may want to use the cut out pieces in a minute

-paint the box inside and out and let dry. this may take hours depending on how many coats of course. trace a line of glue inside the box around your cut out pattern, then place tissue paper over. trim excess and repeat as desired

-you could decorate the exterior bottom of the box with the cutout pieces tied and attached with ribbon (punch a hole through the box with the pen and run ribbon through it tying a knot inside. even if you dont, line the bottom of the inside with foil

-another optional step: using the pen punch two small holes on each side of the top flaps (abt 1/2 in. down and in) and run ribbon or string through them. add tealight and you could hang your luminaria but i like leaving it on my coffee table or in the window.

sorry if this was posted previously