Paper Love - Tutorial: Tissue Paper Flower Lights

 I worked on this project a few years ago, as we were making plans for a surprise anniversary party for my parents.  I was trying to come up with some pretty, yet simple decorations that would be easy to transport (we were driving from Massachusetts to Michigan).  As it turns out, I didn't bring this particular strand of flowers along, but it was hung up in the girls' room for a several years, and held up well!

This is how I made the tissue paper flowers on a strand of small white Christmas lights.

**As a precaution** I would NOT recommend leaving the lights on for any extended period of time.  They are great for adding some pretty, soft lighting to a room, and though the lights don't get extremely hot, you should be careful and unplug them when not needed.  (It is paper, and a heat source. . .)

Supplies:

• White tissue paper
• floral tape, which can be found at the craft store in the floral section (I used green to match the color of the light cord)
• scissors

To begin, cut the tissue paper into strips that are about 2 inches wide by 18 inches long.  You will need one strip for each of the light bulbs on your strand.

You may also want to cut or tear pieces of floral tape, in 4 to 5 inch pieces.

 

Taking one of the tissue paper strips, begin at one end (of the light strand and the tissue paper) and wrap the strip around the base of the light, gathering and scrunching the tissue as you wrap.  

When you reach the end of the strip, take a piece of floral tape and wrap the tape (stretching as you go to be sure it sticks to itself) around the base of the tissue paper flower to hold it together and in place.

Continue this process for each of the lights on your strand.        

 

 Now hang your beautiful strand of flowers, plug them in and enjoy the soft glow.  You could certainly try other colors of tissue paper for a different look!

 

Here are paper flowers of a different kind, that I also made for the surprise party.  These actually made the trip.  The instructions for these can be found here: How to Make Simple White Paper Flowers