Cricut Lantern SVG
Cricut paper lanterns were one of the first Cricut projects I made with my first Cricut machine. A paper lantern using a Cricut machine is an easy Cricut beginner project using minimal supplies. In this tutorial, I share how to design a beautiful starry night lantern using cardstock and a battery-operated candle. You can use a Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Joy, or Cricut Maker Machine to create these Cricut paper luminaries. Keep in mind, if you are using the Cricut Joy, you will need to downsize the project to fit your machine. Keep reading for the full tutorial, detailed video, and my Cricut Make-it-Now link to make a Cricut Paper Lantern!
If you’re curious (or in a hurry)…
It’s an excellent Cricut Machine and yet, you’ll also find that it is one of the cheapest options you’ll find online.
It’s available in several colors and gets great reviews. If you can get it for under $300, grab it. That’s one heck of a deal on a Cricut machine! See color choices, check the current price & read reviews here.
What is Cricut Design Space?
Cricut Design Space is the program you will need to design and cut your Cricut projects. When you set up your Cricut machine, you will need to install Cricut Design Space. All Cricut machines come with Design Space, their free, easy-to-learn design software. It’s cloud-based so you can access your files from any device, any time. Start on your phone, continue on your laptop, and even work offline – all without breaking stride. From there you have the option to arrange a design from scratch or select from thousands of ready-to-make projects. Place your material on a mat, load it in the machine, and press Go. The machine handles the rest.
Design Space features tons of ideas to kickstart your next masterpiece. Browse and play with thousands of images, fonts, and ready-to-make projects. Since Cricut is adding more all the time, you’ll always find something fresh, new, and inspiring.
Do you need a computer to use a Cricut machine?
A computer is recommended, however, you can access Cricut Design Space and a Cricut Explore Air machine through mobile devices (iPad, iPhone, and Android devices). I highly recommend using a computer with Cricut Design Space and a Cricut Machine because you will have the full design options in Design Space and your machine needs to be close by to cut (even if you are using wireless Bluetooth).
What is Cricut Access?
You may have seen or heard about Cricut Access from Cricut or another blogger. Cricut Access is a membership that gives you 10% off your Cricut purchases (and various other offers and discounts) and access to thousands of images and fonts in Cricut Design Space.
I have a Cricut Access Membership, which provides me with thousands of free images to come up with some Cricut craft ideas. Be sure to check Cricut Design Space for some free Cricut projects! Some of the free Cricut DIY projects in Cricut Design Space can be used to sell (which makes the membership fee worth it in my opinion!).
–>>Check out this HUGE list with 30 Cricut Supplies From The Dollar Tree!
Making personalized gifts, cards, home decor, farmhouse signs, and more is easy with a Cricut Explore Machine.
Learning how to use your Cricut is really easy and fun once you get the hang of it. If you don’t have a Cricut Access Membership, I highly recommend it. I’ve had a Cricut Access Membership for years and it’s definitely worth the cost for all the benefits!
–>>Check out this HUGE list with 32 EASY Cricut Projects For Beginners!
My favorite online resources to find SVG files to make Cricut craft projects:
–>>Click here to see the latest bundle with the best SVG files at Design Bundles!
–>>Click here to get Unlimited access to over 4 million fonts and designs for just $1!
Be sure to subscribe to get my emails and updates with more free SVG files to use with your Cricut machine!
DIY Cricut Paper Lanterns
Supplies:
- Cricut Link to my Project (or design it yourself following the instructions)
- Cricut Machine (Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Joy, or Cricut Maker Machine)
- Heavy Cardstock (I used True Brushed Paper)
- Standard Grip Cutting Mat
- Cricut Weeding Tool
- Cricut Scraper
- Glue/Glue Dots/Tape
- Glass Vase (optional)
- Battery Operated Candles
- Watch the video tutorial for more details
Directions:
- Design or Access my Paper Lantern project in Cricut Design Space. Don’t forget, if you have a Cricut Access Membership, you get access to thousands of images to use to design your lantern!
- If you are designing your own lantern, start with a rectangle shape sized at 11.5″ x 7.25″
- Select the desired color for your lantern.
- Select shapes and other images to create your lantern design.I chose Stars (#MB34FDOB ), a Moon (#M10DBDE22 ), and a circle shape.
- Place the images over the rectangle until you achieve your desired look. Keep in mind that you should leave 1/2″ on each side where the lantern will be glued together.
- Select all the images except the rectangle and choose to WELD the images together. This will change the individual images into one image that you can slice through the rectangle shape.
- Use the SLICE feature to slice the shapes through the rectangle.
- If you are designing your own lantern, start with a rectangle shape sized at 11.5″ x 7.25″
- Set your machine to cut Cardstock.
- Insert a Deep Cut Blade for the best cut-through thick cardstock.
- Place the cardstock on the standard green cutting mat and load it into your machine. I used True Brushed Paper which is very thick and has a metallic appearance.
- Press the start button to begin cutting the project.
- Remove the cardstock from the cutting mat to reveal your completed masterpiece. I used a weeding tool to remove some of the delicate images since the True Brushed paper is very thick.
- Use a Cricut Scraping tool if needed to remove the cardstock from the mat.
- Wrap the cardstock around the glass vase.
- Use clear-drying glue, glue dots, or clear tape to attach the sides together and press firmly until the glue is dry.
- Place a candle or light inside your vase to use the lantern.
Select all the images except the rectangle and choose to WELD the images together. This will change the individual images into one image that you can slice through the rectangle shape. 
I used the remaining piece of the 12″ x 12″ cardstock to make a second paper lantern with the “Hey Diddle Diddle” image available in Cricut Design Space.
Wrap up for the Cricut Paper Lantern Project
I hope you enjoyed creating this simple Paper Lantern using Cricut and Dollar Tree supplies! Make sure to watch the video to learn how I use Cricut Design Space to design fun projects like this Cricut lantern pattern.
Cricut Paper Lantern Ideas
Cricut has another pre-made paper lantern box design (search #M3CE46 under Images in Cricut Design Space). You will need Vellum, Cardstock, and ribbon to make this Lantern.
This paper Lantern was one of the first Cricut projects I made in 2013!
Find the full tutorial at Joann.com
Watch the Video or Print the Instructions for the Cricut Paper Lantern
Supplies
- Cricut Link to my Project (or design it yourself following the instructions)
- Cricut Machine (Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Joy, or Cricut Maker Machine)
- Heavy Cardstock (I used True Brushed Paper)
- Standard Grip Cutting Mat
- Cricut Weeding Tool
- Cricut Scraper
- Glue/Glue Dots/Tape
- Glass Vase (optional)
- Battery Operated Candles
Instructions
Design or Access my Paper Lantern project in Cricut Design Space. Don't forget, if you have a Cricut Access Membership, you get access to thousands of images to use to design your lantern!
- If you are designing your own lantern, start with a rectangle shape sized at 11.5" x 7.25"
- Select the desired color for your lantern.
- Select shapes and other images to create your lantern design.I chose Stars (#MB34FDOB ), a Moon (#M10DBDE22 ), and a circle shape.
- Place the images over the rectangle until you achieve your desired look. Keep in mind that you should leave 1/2" on each side where the lantern will be glued together.
- Select all the images except the rectangle and choose to WELD the images together. This will change the individual images into one image that you can slice through the rectangle shape.
- Use the SLICE feature to slice the shapes through the rectangle.
Cut the design using a Cricut Machine.
- Set your machine to cut Cardstock.
- Insert a Deep Cut Blade for the best cut through thick cardstock.
- Place the cardstock on the standard green cutting mat and load it into your machine. I used True Brushed Paper which is very thick and has a metallic appearance.
- Press the start button to begin cutting the project.
- Remove the cardstock from the cutting mat to reveal your completed masterpiece. I used a weeding tool to remove some of the delicate images since the True Brushed paper is very thick.
- Use a Cricut Scraping tool if needed to remove the cardstock from the mat.
- Wrap the cardstock around the glass vase.
- Use a clear-drying glue, glue dots, or clear tape to attach the sides together and press firmly until the glue is dry.
- Place a candle or light inside your vase to use the lantern.
Video
New to Cricut?
Here are some Cricut Basics!
–>>If you want a Circut Machine but aren’t sure which machine is for you, be sure to read this post, How to Choose Which Cricut Machine is Right for you.
–>>Want more tips on finding inexpensive Cricut supplies? Read this post, How to Save Money on Cricut Craft Supplies.
What Cricut Accessories Do I Need?
Cricut Essentials make putting the pieces together a joy. From tweezers that handle delicate parts to Cricut EasyPress for foolproof iron-on, every Essential makes a great project even greater, every step of the way.
These are the Cricut Tools & Accessories I recommend for the serious crafter:
Cricut Easy Press
I highly recommend purchasing the Cricut Easy Press if you plan to do any iron-on or heat transfer projects. The Cricut Easy Press will make your Cricut DIY’s so much easier!
The Cricut Easy Press comes in 3 different sizes, however, I own the 9 x 9 and it’s the perfect size for most projects.
–>>Get the Cricut Easy Press here!
Cricut Easy Press Mat
If you purchase the Cricut Easy Press, don’t forget to get the coordinating Easy Press Mat, which will protect your surfaces and projects from burning. Alternatively, you can use a folded towel, however, the mat is sleek and easier to store in the craft room 😉
–>>Get the Cricut Easy Press Mat Here!
Cricut Bright Pad
The lightweight, low-profile Cricut BrightPad makes crafting easier while reducing eye strain. It illuminates fine lines for tracing, cut lines for weeding, and more.
–>>Get the Cricut Bright Pad Here!
Cricut Cutting Mats
I suggest having a variety of cutting mats that are customized to match the weight of commonly used crafting materials. With three different mats specifically designed to work with different weights of materials, you can ensure success in all your projects.
–>>Get the Cricut Machine Mat Variety Pack Here!
Cricut Tool Set
You will thank me later for telling you to just get the Cricut Tool Set instead of buying each tool individually! The tools included in the Cricut toolset are all helpful when using your Cricut machine.
–>>Get the Essential Tool Set Here!
My favorite non-Cricut brand materials
You can find other brand vinyl, iron-on, contact paper, and more outside of Cricut.com. A few of my favorites are:
- Oracal 651 Permanent Vinyl (find it here or at your local craft store)
- Siser HTV
- Dollar Tree clear contact paper (or shelf liner)
- Various fat-quarter fabrics at Walmart
- Felt sheets at local craft stores
Learning how to use your Cricut is really easy and fun once you get the hang of it. If you don’t have a Cricut Access Membership, I highly recommend it. I’ve had a Cricut Access Membership for years and it’s definitely worth the cost for all the benefits!
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