These instructions are for making a very simple 6 panel photo lantern. I am making this one out of 4″x4″ photographs trimmed from 4″x6″ prints that cost 15 cent each, so including the cord and some dabs of glue the entire project cost less than $1.50.

Supply List:

• • 6 Square photographs of any size
  • 1 Piece of scrap paper the same size as photographs
  • Piece of Ribbon or Cord
  • Pen or Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue

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  Cut a paper template the same size as your photo squares

   

  

  A) Fold the paper in half and then half again, as shown by solid lines in this picture. B) Cut 2 sides as shown in the photograph on the dotted lines.

   

  

  Normally you would fold the red envelopes to determine the fold lines that make the square or diamond shapes, so as to not bend the photograph we will use the template to draw the fold lines on the back of the photograph.

   

  

  To ensure the template is square, we are only going to draw 2 corners at a time.

   

  

  Draw around template and then turn around.

   

  

  Trace around the template again.

   

  

  The back of your photo should now have a perfect square drawn on it to use as fold lines. Repeat on the backs of remaining 5 photographs.

   

  

  Gently fold each photo along your template lines forward

  

  Crimp a crisp edge at each line, on each photograph.

   

  

  Each photo should look like this.

   

  

  By now you should have decided which 3 photographs are going to be on top and which 3 will be on the bottom. The top 3 photographs should all point to the center when you glue them.

   

  

  Glue the top left edge of one photo to the top right corner of the second photo you want on the top.

   

  

  I recommend using tiny clothes pins to hold each section together as it dries. They will not leave marks on the photographs like some other methods might.

   

  

  Line up and glue the 3rd photograph to the second photograph.

   

  

  You will need to place your ribbon or cord, coming out of the top before you glue the final corner of the 3rd photo to the 1st photo. In order to keep the ribbon or cord from sliding out of the photo cube you must secure it by either tying several large knots or gluing and or stapling a piece of scrap card stock to the ribbon or cord. If you are only making one lantern you could cut a corner off the template you made earlier.

  

  Position the knot of your cord in the top corner and glue the final top corner of the 3rd photo to the top corner of the 1st photo. This should secure the ribbon or cord in place.

   

  

  Secure all of your glue joints and set aside to dry.

  

  The 3 photos for the bottom half should be arranged where you glue the bottom point of all three photos together.

   

  

  While you placed your hanging ribbon or cord at the center of the top half, I made a small loop of cord (again stapled to card stock) to come out of the bottom so that I could hang embellishment from the bottom. This step is not necessary if you are not going to hand a tassel or other item from the bottom. Let the glue dry securely before moving on.

   

  

  The glue on the top half and bottom half must be thoroughly dry. Then you will glue the 2 haves together, securing each joint as you go, until they are dry.

   

  

  I found it easiest to put glue on all of the flaps on the bottom half and secure each flap around.

  

  At this point you can add any embellishment you might want to the little loop if you put one in. If you did not put a bottom loop on your project you are complete ! ENJOY

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  Since I had 4″x6″ prints made, in order to get the 4×4 photos for the project, I was left with a 2″ x 4″ area. I reduced the 4″x4″ photo and made 2, 2″x2″ copies of the larger photo. I chose 12 photos instead of 6 and for my embellishment  I am adding a 2″x2″, 6 panel photo lantern, below the 4″x4″ photo lantern. – Was easier than it sounds.

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  I looped the cord to hang the small cube through the bottom loop of the large cube.

  

  I continued making the small cube just the same as the larger cube.

  

  I secured the photos and let them dry well as I went.

  

  I even left a small tail coming out of the bottom of the small cube for an additional embellishment.

   

  

  I am extremely happy with the small photo cubes as embellishments. The bottom embellishment is a tag with the name, age and birth location of grandmother Yuntie Chin Leo.

   

  

  If you enjoyed this project leave a comment below and I will post the tutorial for making the 15 photo panel Hung Bow Lantern!

  

  See Also

  Converting Handwritten Chinese Fonts to Computerized Character Fonts.

  

  HANDWRITTEN SIGNATURE

  

  READ MORE !

  There is an App For That !

  “Genealogy-Gencrafts.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking from/to amazon.com.”

  If you are interested in ordering from Amazon.com, please click on any of these ads to be directed to their site. Any purchases, while there, will give us a small bonus, at no extra cost to you. This will help fund the Genealogy-GenCrafts here on the web. Thanks ~ Jackie