DIY Patriotic Mason Jar Lanterns

These patriotic mason jars are the perfect addition to your holiday decor.  Not only are they a great decoration in the day, but they light up so they are perfect for summer nights! They are easy to make with your Cricut or Silhouette, but if you don’t have a machine, you can use stickers to create the same effect.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED

HERE’S WHAT YOU DO

STEP 1: DOWNLOAD THE FREE SVG FILE

The first thing you’ll need to do is get the free SVG file you’ll use for this project.  I keep all the SVG files I use for the projects I make in my SVG Library.  These SVG files work with Cricut and Silhouette machines, as well as many others.  This library is open to everyone and is free! You can access the library here.

STEP 2: CUT AND WEED VINYL

Open the design in your software program.  I sized each design to about 3.10″ x 2.9″.

When everything is sized correctly, you can cut the vinyl with your Cricut or Silhouette.  Cut each color separately.  The light gray layer will be your stencil, so you can use regular vinyl.  You’ll use the foil vinyl for the red & blue layers.

Once it has finished cutting, weed away the excess vinyl.

I just love the finishing touch the adhesive foil vinyl gives to this project!  The foil vinyl is a little thicker than regular vinyl, so it’s a little bit trickier to weed.

For the inside of the letters, I found it was easiest to slightly bend the vinyl until I could grab onto the edge of the piece I was pulling out.

STEP 3: APPLY TRANSFER TAPE

Cut a piece of transfer tape a little larger than the design and place the vinyl on top of the transfer tape. I like to use transfer tape that is on the roll without any backing. I just unroll the amount I need, place the vinyl down, and cut it to size.

STEP 4: REMOVE VINYL BACKING OF STENCIL

Rub over the design a few times with a scraper or application tool (you could even use a credit card).  Then, flip the design over and pull off the vinyl backing.

STEP 5: POSITION VINYL ON MASON JAR

Center the design over the mason jar and press into place.  Repeat on the other side.

STEP 6: REMOVE TRANSFER TAPE

Rub over the design with your fingers to help it stick to the mason jar.  Then, pull off the transfer tape.

STEP 8: PAINT THE MASON JAR

Paint the mason jar with chalk paint.  There are two reasons you should use a chalked spray paint.  First, you need a smooth finish to put the foil vinyl on.  You won’t get that if you use a brush.  Second, it sticks really well to the glass jar.  I tried using regular spray paint and even frosted glass spray paint and they both peeled off when I took off the stencils.  I was really happy with how well the chalk paint stayed on.

STEP 9: REMOVE VINYL STENCIL

After the paint has completely dried (I think I waited an hour or so), carefully pull off the stencil. Be super careful not to scrape any of the paint off.

STEP 9: APPLY FOIL VINYL

This step is what really makes these lanterns pop, I just love the look of the foil vinyl!  Remove the vinyl backing and place the design over the mason jar.  Rub over the design and then peel off the vinyl backing.

STEP 10: ADD LIGHTS AND BOW

Place lights inside the mason jar.  I found these super cool mason jar lights and think they are perfect for these lanterns.  They are solar powered, so you don’t have to replace the battery.  And they are also light sensitive so they turn on when it gets dark and turn off when it’s light.   They also come with a hanger so you could hang the mason jar lanterns around your yard.  So cool!

Oh my gosh, aren’t they cute?!?  These are so fun for the 4th of July.

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Want to make your own? Get the free cut file for this project in the Resource Library.