MDF Lantern

 We wanted to send some handmade and bought items to my son's friends family in the USA for taking him under their wings whilst he was studying there for 9 months.

Some weeks back I went to Colemans Warehouse in Rushden as Dawn Bibby was presenting.  I don't go there as often as I'd like but I arranged for my son to take me as I had to see Dawn Bibby as she got me into crafting many years ago and I even visited her shop in Lancashire when she had it for my 40th birthday treat and to my delight I got to meet Dawn as she was in the shop.

I thought this MDF Lantern Kit would be a good thing to make and send to the USA along with a battery operated tealight.  When I got it home there were no instructions in the packet so I posted a message on Dawn's Facebook page and within less than an hour a lady on there kindly provided me with the instructions (sorry I have forgotten your name but thank you so much).

I will have to say this wasn't the easiest MDF project I've made.  Personally I think it would help if there were ridges in the base for the sides to sit rather than them sit on top.  It was very hard to get the glue to dry with no ridge to help hold it in especially for someone with dexterity problems.

I eventually got it to set and then painted with my Imagination Crafts Dark Orchid Starlight Paint.   I then stippled on some Dutch Doobadoo Texture Paste to the sides and tops of the lantern to cover any areas where it wasn't 100% straight.  I then painted over with the Dark Orchid paint once it was dry.

I then used some Summertime Designs papers and printed off with a gold pattern one side and a dark purple/orchid colour on the other side, die-cut flowers out of it, glued, shaped and Stickles glitter glue added to the centres and left to dry.

I then decorated the lantern with the flowers, die-cut greenery by Sue Wilson and added a chain with jump rings.

Please excuse the blurriness but this is what it looked like with the tealight turned on.

I was pleased how it turned out.

I am entering this decorated lantern the following challenges:

More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of purple
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes

Allsorts - Flower power

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of baby

Creative Fingers - Anything goes

Love to Create - Anything creative/mixed media goes

Glitter n Sparkle - Anything goes

Artistic Inspirations - Anything goes/make it funny

Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes