Tavistock Dickensian Lantern Parade

I have been hinting at this post for a while, and am so happy that this year the Dickensian Evening Lantern Parade took place. Last year it was cancelled because of gales, and although this year was rainy, we did manage to parade our lanterns. Above is me, with my chameleon. I have been thinking about chameleons a lot this autumn. You can't see from the photograph, but some of his lights were colour-changing, and there was a hoop of willow so that he rested on my head, which made carrying a bit easier.

Below is my son, with his spider lantern. It was very impressive, and is now going to the Tavistock Youth Cafe to be displayed. My chameleon is going to a local plant store, Leaf and Stone, to be part of their display.  

 

Final photo shows us gathered at St. Eustachius Church, waiting to set off. My husband got roped into carrying the anomalocaris from last year. 

I feel that The Chameleon, Spider and Anomalocaris sounds a bit like a children's book title. What adventures they could have!

Willow and Tissue Lanterns - A Rerun

 

You may remember that this time last year my son and I were making lanterns from willow and tissue, at West Devon Arts, and then later larger willow and tissue animal models to show at Tavistock Dickensian Evening. In the end the parade was cancelled because of stormy weather.  It was disappointing, so we are redoing the course. I will write about our large models later, as we are still at the building stage.

But here are our practice lanterns, to remind ourselves of the techniques. Mine is the willow pattern plate inspired one above. I decided to go fairly simple on the decorations. It is amazing what you can do with a blue sharpie. Not sure if it is finished, or I may add a bit more decoration.

 

My son has made a more interesting shape, and his lantern is above. I think the two colour tissue decoration is really effective.  

Lantern Teaser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I mentioned a few weeks ago that my son and I are going to a willow and tissue lantern making course, and our final pieces will be in a Christmas Lantern Procession in Tavistock. 

Although it is an eight week course we only have two more weeks to go, so my son brought his project home, and did a bit of construction in the kitchen. Both are lanterns are going to be animals - mine fairly conventional, and his less so. Anyone who knows him might be able to guess! This is the willow stage, and the next bit is to attach lights and make the tissue covering.

Apologies for terrible photos in my kitchen. If anyone can correctly name the creature I will be very impressed.

Willow and Tissue Lanterns

I have been learning a new craft over the last few weeks, at a weekly willow and tissue lantern making course. My son has also been going, and his is the lantern above. Mine is below, and is meant to represent the weather/seasons. These were our learning lanterns, as they were really done so we could practice the techniques.

I got a little bit carried away with the tissue decorations, which was partly a delaying tactic, before moving on to our individual projects. These bigger lanterns will be in the Dickensian Parade in Tavistock in December. Nearly all of the group are making animals of various sizes. So eventually I'll be posting some more pictures of these.