During the Christmas sales last year we went on the search for the longest string of LED fairy lights we could find. We weren’t sure how we would use them but we knew that the first Summer in our own home would bring a lot of entertaining. After flicking though an old copy of Notebook, we found the answer.
To make flower fairy lights you will need:
- Fairy lights
- Vellum paper in a variety of colours
- Scissors

Method:
1. Cut 15cm squares of vellum paper in a variety of colours. You will need two or three squares of paper for each fairy light. Fold paper square in half diagonally to form a triangle.
2. Fold the left and right corners up to meet at the centre, forming a diamond shape. Fold in half to form a small triangle. [see image left]
3. Cut curves along the open edges to form a heart-shaped top and create the petal effect. You might like to choose different petal shapes for each colour. Layering them, the variety of shapes will add depth.
4. Cut across the bottom point to create a small opening to slip the light bulb through. Unfold.
5. Layer a few paper petals in different colours on each fairy light. Attach the flowers above the bulb on the plastic wire so the bulb is left exposed.
While vellum paper is a lot less flammable than ordinary paper, but don’t leave the lights on unattended. We can see these looking amazing during a casual summer cocktail party in the garden- exactly what we're planning for the upcoming months.
[edited from Notebook Magazine January 2007]
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Fairy Lights?
Neat name... in Canada they are just called Christmas lights.
It took me a moment to figure out if they were different than christmas lights or just a different name.
view wendy-rae's profile
Jennyb, you should do a post closer to Christmas on how to decorate for an Australian Christmas - traditional Chrissie decorations just seem too heavy for summer.
view miraballs's profile
Thanks for reminding me Jennyb - my partner and I bought some dragonfly fairy lights in last years post-Christmas sales and put them away for the following summer - time to find where we put them.
view pinky speedway's profile
Aren't fairy lights different from Christmas lights?
I think the fairy ones have smaller bulbs than regular Christmas tree lights.
view Mrs.Mack's profile
Those are cute, kewl DIY. Thanks! I'd do these any season.
view Lizzykewl's profile
What a great idea! I am a big fan of outdoor lights for those long summer evenings.
I linked this tutorial at PassiFlora (http://passifloramag.com/2009/04/vegetables-and-flowers/) Hope you do not mind.
view Anya from PassiFlora magazine's profile