Lantern Challenge: DIY Picture Frame Lantern

I love lanterns and I love picture frames so for this Lantern Challenge I thought I would combine the two of them for this DIY picture frame! This Natural Brushed White Wood Lantern from Darice perfectly matched my image of the first time my boys saw the ocean. I even love how the image didn’t transfer completely, adds to the “beachy” feel of the lantern!

DIY Picture Frame Lantern Supplies:

• Darice Natural Brushed Wood White Lantern
• ModPodge® Matte
• Mod Podge ® Photo Transfer Medium 
• Photocopied Image

Step One. First things first, you’re going to have to get a photocopy made of the image you’d like to transfer. Unless you use toner ink, your regular home printer isn’t going to work. Use the removable glass pane from the lantern door as a template for the size your image needs to be. Also, keep in mind that the image is going to be reversed.

Step Two. Cut the image to fit the glass panel and apply a liberal but even layer of Mod Podge ® Photo Transfer Medium. Working quickly so the medium doesn’t dry, flip paper onto the front of the glass. Gently smooth and press out any air bubbles with the pads of your fingers. Allow to dry completely.

Step Three. Once the image transfer medium has dried completely, use a damp cloth to begin rubbing away the back of the paper. Go super slow with this process! If you rub too hard you’ll peel up the image so it’s best to do a couple runs with some drying time in between. Don’t worry if you have bits and pieces of white, though. It adds to the rustic feel of this DIY picture frame lantern!

Step Four. Use a craft knife to clean up any spots of paper you might want to remove. This step isn’t necessary if you transferred an entire image but I wanted to have a portion of the clear lantern glass on top.

Step Five. Since the image is on the front of the glass (nice because it prevents a fire hazard!), you’ll have to apply a layer or two of sealant to prevent any accidental scrapes or wearing. Once dry, you can easily insert the glass back into the door panel and enjoy your new DIY picture frame lantern!

I hope you enjoyed this DIY picture frame tutorial, the options are absolutely endless! I thought it would be nice to make another one with pictures of my grandparents at different ages on each of the panels.

Also, you don’t have to stop at pictures! You can design a layout with words in your computer, print and apply that to the lantern as well. We’d love to see what you do with this tutorial!