DIY Fairy Lantern Fall Update

After a brief blast of winter, we are back to the 90’s again in Colorado. While I am NOT ready for snow, I would love some actual fall type temperatures!

We can normally enjoy our outdoor spaces well into October here. So with that in mind, I decided to give my fairy lantern a quick fall update.

Since not all of you have winter weather looming, I’ve included my original post below. Those lucky enough to live in milder climates might wish to make this now to enjoy all year long.

Original Post – DIY Fairy Patio Lantern-Miniature Fairy Garden 4/13/2020

Ok! You’re right! It is too early to put plants and flowers outside in Colorado. I always adhere to the Mother’s Day rule. But this year, it is just so much harder! The weather is beautiful this week and we are spending a lot of time outside. The grass is turning green and the lilacs are beginning to bud. The patio is normally full of plants and flowers. But it really is too early! So I decided to make a Spring Patio Lantern that I can simply carry inside if the weather turns.

I will be putting out a fairy garden in the backyard when I’m sure the last snow has fallen. Solar fairy houses, fairies and gnomes, and flowers! All the flowers I can find! I purchased this adorable little fairy with that in mind but I think she will make a great addition to my lantern.

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Fairy Swing

Since she is a sitting fairy, I’ve decided to make a swing for her to sit on inside the lantern. My spring yard clean up is still in the early stages and I have found several twigs and branches blown down by the winter storms. After breaking a branch into 3 pieces about the same size, I can glue them together to be the base. Isn’t it just amazing what we can all do with a glue gun? I will add dots of glue all along the swing to add moss and then glue the fairy on.

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With some vine covered wire left over from an earlier craft project, I can wrap it around the twigs to form the swing. I’ll adjust the length to hang from the lantern top. Most lanterns have small openings at the top and this one is no exception. I will fasten another piece of wire inside the top to fasten my swing to. If there were two holes close enough I would have just attached the swing directly to the lantern but this works just as well. She looks perfect on her swing! I’m certain she will love her new home as soon as we add some plants to brighten things up.

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Adding Plants

I’ve used a tropical cypress tree for height, baby tears for a “fairy feel” and ……. These are all considered tropical plants but being inside the lantern should keep them warm enough to thrive. Transplanting fairy plants is often a problem so I will leave them in the plain plastic pots they came in. I’ll add moss though to give them a woodsy feel.

I didn’t set out to make a fairy garden but apparently I have! I think I need to give her a name to make it official. I’ve decided on Claria. I think she also needs a sign to let everyone know this is her home. Fairies and gnomes get along quite well but Claria wants her own space. I’ve created this sign at her direction!

Finally, as it starts to get warmer, we will be sitting on the patio long after dark. I will put several lanterns with candles outside but I would like to enjoy this one as well. Therefore, adding a strand of mini lights is the perfect finish!

The directions and supply list as well as a few different options for your fairy sign can be printed below. Be sure to sign up for other future projects and immediate access to my complete printable library!

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My lantern is no longer available but I’ve included a link to a similar style below as well as links to all supplies you’ll need to make your own fairy lantern.

The fairy is a purchase from Etsy at the My Fairy Gardens Shop. I’ve linked to her here.

Quick Fall Update

So…to do a quick refresh for fall, I will remove the tropical fairy plants and take them inside for the rest of the year. I will add some mums in their place.

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Next, I’ll add some pip berry garland to the swing to bring some fall color. Pumpkins, pine cones and some fall leaves finish things off.

Little by little I am bringing the new season into my home. Adding fall accents to my fairy lantern will help update the outside spaces. Mums, scarecrows and pumpkins will do the rest.

The inside will take a bit longer. But it is, most definitely, a labor of love. This is my time of year without a doubt! I have started by changing what I consider my “seasonal tools” to reflect the fall season. These are the decorations that I use all year long in one way or another. They are a constant in my home but are also constantly changing.

I started a few weeks ago amidst the chaos of a house undergoing several renovations all at once. To escape from the main floor makeover, I have taken some of my props downstairs and gave them a harvest refresh. Yesterday, it was my dough bowl. You can check out my latest post, Quick and Easy Dough Bowl Centerpiece to see the end result.

I am hoping to have my house back in order by week’s end and it is my goal to have a completed Harvest Home by Monday! Wish me luck! Make sure to sign up below as I will be sharing ideas, recipes, and tutorials throughout the coming seasons ahead. I am constantly adding new printables to the Library as well and they are free to download and print for all members. There may be something there that you absolutely need right now! Thanks for stopping by! See you soon!

Be sure to check out these great link parties for some amazing inspiration!

Create with Joy Friendship Friday

Shoestring Elegance Thursday Favorite Things

The Cottage Market A Morning Cup of Joe

Common Ground/Follow the Yellow Brick Road All About Home