TO MAKE

STEP 1. Protect your work area — we recommend with a smooth (non-abrasive) surface covering like a plastic sheet, old shower curtain, or outdoor tablecloth (makes it easier to clean up the glue)

STEP 2. Set up your drying station — a bowl to stabilize your balloon lantern during the process and then to dry in for at least 24 hrs after.

STEP 3. Prep your supplies — you'll want to tear your tissue paper into strips and small pieces of varying sizes before you dive in.

STEP 4. Prepare your paste mixture by pouring equal parts glue and water into your other bowl (using a 1:1 ratio). It doesn't have to be perfect, aim for a consistency between maple syrup and wallpaper paste. Use a big paint brush, a fork, or simply your fingers to blend.

STEP 5. When the paste is ready, blow up your balloon to about 10 - 12" across, tie it off, and set it in the bowl upside down.

STEP 6. Set your flowers and ferns out of their box and to the side so they're ready to join the party after you've laid the first layer of sticky tissue paper down.

STEP 7. Start the layering process, but first, coat your ballon in just water as your first "layer." We learned the hard way that this will help take the balloon out when it's dry.

STEP 8. Dip your torn up strips of tissue paper, one by one, through the paste mixture, and then through your fingers to take off any excess glue before gently smoothing onto your balloon.

STEP 9. Repeat the layering process until your ballon is covered with at least one full layer of tissue paper, down to where it meets the rim of the bowl, but not below.

STEP 10. Smooth the tissue paper down as much as possible with your gluey hands. (The more layers you do, the dimmer the light will shine through your completed lantern.)

STEP 11. With your hands still sticky, gently select pressed flowers and ferns, one at a time, and place them directly on top of the tissue paper that is coating the balloon.

STEP 12. Repeat the floral placing process until you are delighted with yourself. Be sure to pay special attention to the bottom and sides of your lantern for maximum flower power. We like pointing the ferns “down” towards the bowl so they’ll be upright when they’re dry, but truly they’re lovely no matter where you place ‘em.

STEP 13. Add one or two more layers of gluey tissue paper over the top of the dried flower and fern layer of your lantern, just to your liking. More layers = softer light, Fewer layers = more flower power. (If you want, you can even just coat the florals in the glue mixture, not tissue, but we recommend doing at least two layers of tissue all over your lantern.)

STEP 14. Let your lantern dry for at least 24-48 hours, until it's hard to the touch.

STEP 15. Once dry, gently pull the balloon out of the bowl, and turn your lantern right side up.

STEP 16. THE BEST PART - POP THE BALLOON! (Or gently eek the air out of it by cutting the tie and holding its neck at the same time.)

If as the air deflates and your lantern caves in, that's okay. Just remove the balloon very gently by peeling it away from the lantern's sides. After removing it, gently press your lantern back into place using your hand.

STEP 17. Trim the top of your lantern to your liking.

STEP 18. Create 4 holes on opposite sides of the lantern's rim using a pencil, hole punch or scissors and gently tie twine to each one to hang.

STEP 19. Pull the slip out from the battery of your twinkle lights, turn them on and place in the middle of your lantern.

STEP 20. Hang with pride and use it as a night light or gift to a friend.