DIY Autumn Leaf Lanterns

These Autumn lanterns are pretty and easy to make. They make a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table or fall decor!

DIY Autumn Leaf Lanterns

Supplies:

Leaves - real or fake

glass mason jars

mod podge

paintbrushes

small candles - tea lights or battery operated

ribbon or raffia

rubber bands - to help hold stubborn leaves to the mason jars

newspaper or something to cover your work space

Instructions:

First, you need to gather some pretty colorful fall leaves or purchase some faux fall leaves.

If you're using real leaves, make sure they are dried well and not damp from being outside on the ground.

Lay them between pieces of newspaper and stack heavy books on top of them for a few days to press them flat and help dry them out.

Once the leaves are dried a few days later, you can start the work on your lanterns. Gather up your supplies and cover your work space with newspaper or something to keep it clean.

Coat your jar with a layer of mod podge.

Place your leaves on top and coat with another layer of mod podge.

I broke off the hard stem of my leaves before using them on the jars.

Layer leaves around on the glass, overlapping slightly in a pretty pattern. You may need to use some rubber bands to hold the leaves in place as they dry.

Let your jars dry overnight. If needed to back over stubborn edges that want to pop up with mod podge 

and help hold them down tight to the jar using rubber bands. I let my jars dry about 24 hours.

Place candles inside and light them for a pretty autumn lantern. Raffia or ribbon would make a nice touch to finish them off.

Happy Autumn!