Difficulty: Advanced
This glowing 3D heart lantern is a fully custom design created entirely from scratch inside IdeaStudio. I built the structure myself by sketching the heart shape, calculating all the measurements, and engineering the side panels, tabs, and curved interior elements so the lantern could stand, glow, and open for access to the LED light.
The florals were made using rolled‑flower techniques with the 3D flower files from the IdeaStudio library, shaped with quilling tools, and assembled with hot glue for strength. I also added a 3D butterfly from the library to complete the dimensional look.
Vellum behind the center heart softens the glow, while permanent adhesive vinyl adds the sentiment. One side panel is attached with double‑sided tape and a small piece of hook‑and‑loop (Velcro) so it can open and close, allowing the LED votive to be turned on and off or replaced.
This project blends paper engineering, floral crafting, and lighted display design into a single keepsake piece.
Materials Used:
- Cardstock (various colors for the heart, layers, and florals)
- Vellum (for the glowing center window)
- Permanent adhesive vinyl (for the sentiment)
- 3D flowers from IdeaStudio
- 3D butterfly from IdeaStudio
- Quilling tools (for rolling the flowers)
- Glue stick (for flat paper layers)
- White school glue (for general assembly)
- Hot glue gun (for flowers and embellishments)
- Double‑sided tape (for the side panel that opens)
- Hook‑and‑loop tape (Velcro)(to allow for opening the side panel)
- Scoring tool (from the Loklik iCraft) or a scoring board
- LED votive light (placed inside the lantern)
