Spring Light for the Tabletop

This lantern project creates an elfin garden blooming with spring color and aglow with twinkly fairy lights for magical effect.

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Materials

You will need: a lantern, 4 small knobs, exterior spray paint, thick cardboard (for bottom tray), adhesive putty, string lights, plants -- such as mini daffodils, candytuft, aluminum plant, grape hyacinth -- potting soil, and preserved moss. For assembling, you'll need an awl, hammer, sanding pad, scissors, pliers, pencil, and measuring tape.

Attach Legs

Choose a large metal lantern -- at least 15 inches tall. Invert and use an awl and hammer to puncture a small hole in each corner of the lantern bottom. Screw a knob into each hole and secure with a bolt on the inside of the lantern.

Prep for Painting

Use a sanding pad to scuff the metal surface, wipe clean with a rag, and remove glass panels (or mask off with paper and tape).

Paint

Spray-paint the lantern and let dry overnight. Apply second coat of paint and allow to dry thoroughly.

Create Planter Liner

Measure the bottom inside of the lantern and cut a piece of thick cardboard to fit, allowing for 1-2 inches of side flaps, which will be folded up on each side.

Add Lights

Attach pieces of adhesive putty to opposite sides of the battery compartment for your string of lights. Press the battery pack into the inside top of the lantern where it will be hidden from view but easy to access for turning the lights on and off.

Finishing Touches

Arrange plants on the liner, and fill gaps with potting soil, covering the roots. Use dampened moss to cover the soil and edges of the liner. Arrange the lights so they dangle above and around the plants in the lantern, using bits of adhesive putty to secure the light strings to the walls if needed.