Decorative Tea Lights
Party lights, night lights, home dec, you name it! These lights can be used for many different occasions and they are so easy to make!
SUPPLIES
- DIGITAL PAPERS/ELEMENTS – [Jenna's] Day at the Zoo Kit, She Sells Seashells, Partysaurus Designer Kit
- TRANSPARENCY SHEETS – I USED COMPUTER GRAFIX BRAND TRANSPARENT PLASTIC SHEETS
- PRINTER/INK
- ADHESIVE, RED TAPE, TEA LITE, DECORATIVE PUNCH, CARD STOCK
In Photoshop, open up a new page and assemble your scene the way you choose. My finished piece ended up about 8 1/4 inches square. I am making a child’s night light in a zoo theme so I chose to use the [Jenna's] Day at the Zoo Kit for this one.
Make sure that you leave a margin along the top and bottom edge of your scene, I left about 1.5 inches at the bottom and 1 inch at the top. Print this on your acetate sheet using the transparency setting on your printer. Let this dry completely before handling or it will smear.
Once dry, add the red tape along the short side.
Remove the red covering from the tape and roll the sheet into a tube. You will want to roll it so that the printed side is on inside of the tube. This will protect the image from being inadvertently rubbed off by tiny hands.
NOTE -You will make two of these, one for each end of the tube. Cut a strip of card stock 8 3/4 inches long and 1 3/4 inch wide. Score at 1/4 inch parallel to the long edge. Use a decorative punch or scissors along the other edge.
Cut into and up to the score line at about 3/8 inch intervals along the entire length of the piece.
Using a compass or punch make a circle 2 3/4 inches in diameter and run a bead of glue along the wrong side.
Take the strip and run along the length of it with your fingers, gently giving it a rounded shape. Adhere the strip to the circle.
Trim off a bit of the edge of the clipped bottom portion so that it will fit along the final part of the circle.
Cut or punch another circle about 1/8 inch smaller than the first.
Adhere the smaller circle inside to cover up the inner edges.
Place a strip of decorative paper along the bottom to conceal the raw edge of card stock. Place a tea lite inside.
I didn’t attach the bottom cup to the acetate so that it could be removed to turn it on and off. I did however place a little piece of red tape on the inner part of the top portion to stabilize it.
It makes a fun, functional decoration for a child’s room.
Having a beach party or luau? These make great, inexpensive table centerpieces. I added some additional interest by cutting out some surfboards from the She Sells Seashells kit and tucking them into the edge of the trim.
I think this one is my favorite made for my son’s birthday from the Partysaurus Designer Kit. The smaller, finished size of the piece is 5 1/4 inch by 4 inch so you can fit 4 on a 81/2X11 inch sheet.
I made a little X with a craft knife and threaded a light from the string through the top placing them on every other light.
I think it’s time to party!
Happy crafting!
Other Articles by jknath:
- Birdhouse Gift Box and Card - May 5th, 2013
- Vintage Pin - April 5th, 2013
- Bunny Purse - March 8th, 2013
- Rocket Valentine - February 4th, 2013
- Moose Treat Container - January 14th, 2013















