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I just can’t thank all of you enough for your kind words about my Joy to the World Mantel. My family has really been enjoying it and it is a constant reminder for me to find the joy in all of the holiday madness and really remember what we are celebrating. I know that many of you have asked, so here it is…
Marquee Letters Tutorial
Supplies:
- 23.5″ Paper Mache Letters (I ordered mine from JoAnns online )
- Spray Sealer
- Vintage White Spray Paint (I used Rustoleum’s Heirloom White)
- Umbrella Patio lights ( I purchased the 30 pack from World Market)
- X-acto Knife
Step Two. Turn your letter over so the back (and wrong side) are facing you. You want to cut the top layer of your paper maché with your knife about half and inch from the outer edge. I also left about half an inch one side attached, so it would function like a door. Just open it up and you will see all what is pictured above!
Step Three. Now we want to turn the letter back over and get it prepared for the lights to be installed. Because I had 30 lights and 3 letters, I allotted 10 lights per letter and tried to space them evenly. I simply scored an x where I wanted the holes to go and kind of punched it in with the other side of the knife.
Step Four. Now it is time to put in the lights. You need to plan where you will be plugging them in and start threading the lights closest to the outlet. In my case, I started at the bottom tip of the J. You will unscrew the bulb from the strand and then screw it back in through the front of the letter. As you move on to the next light, just tuck the excess into the frame of the letter. You may need to trim away some of the inside cardboard to make everything lay flat. Once you get to the tip of the letter, move over to the next until you are done! I simply mounted the letters on a wood pallet background with tiny nails and was good to go!
Here are you Joy ” letters in light”! We just love them! Hope you all are enjoying all of the holiday preparations!
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Oh my goodness! Yes! love this idea! Would you pretty please link this up to our blog hop?? Thank you!
xoxo, Jordan
http://www.lilywhite-designs.net
Like I said before….I think this is the most fabulous thing ever!
–Katie
Brilliant!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
I am having a fabulous holiday giveaway right here.
I am in love! I have to find a place to do this in my house!!!! Great idea!
~Amanda
http://Www.thesunshinetoker.com
Love it!!
Brilliant
Kerry recently posted..Paper Stars
LOVE this. i’ve always wondered what was inside those cardboard letters!
Brilliant!
Kerry recently posted..Pioneer Woman {Day 11}
So happy to see the tutorial!! You’re so creative! I love it!!!
Ellora @ Creatively Southern recently posted..Christmas Clothespin Craft
This came out SO fantastic! I really want to use this idea to create a non-nightlight nightlight for my 5 and 6-year-old boys’ room. SUPER cool!
Heidi @ Mom’s Crafty Space recently posted..DIY Nativity Blocks
The JOY letters are stunning. It’s a fabulous!! Fabulous project!! The whole mantel is beautiful Trish.
Are you kidding?! This is seriously amazing.
Can’t wait to make! Thank you for the beautiful idea!
Merry Christmas and much JOY to you and yours!
Love it!! Would you be able to explain a little more about how you mounted them to the wood?
I just put a few finishing nails in the pallet and then mounted them by pushing the letters on between the cut back and the upper edge. Hope that helps!
these really are awesome!!
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog recently posted..a crafty Christmas {before meets after}
I am in love with this idea! Amazing! xo
malia recently posted..Hanukkah Gelt Tree
Very clever!! I would have NEVER thought to do that. SO pretty!
Emily recently posted..Printed Fabric Gift Tags
Crazy cool! I am SO going to do something like this… I will just have to come up with the perfect project! Thanks for the great inspiration!
Jaime
jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy recently posted..Happy Hour Link Party {13}
This is the best use of paper mache letters I have ever seen!!! It looks awesome on the mantel!!! Love the wood behind it!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Chocolate Chip Candy Cane Fudge
I love it!!! So darn creative and SO FUN!!!
Great job!
Jen
athomeinthenorthwestblog.com
Jen {at home in the northwest blog} recently posted..15 Minute Cinnamon Rolls
i would love to know after tucking the lights into the letters did you then hide the rest of the wire behind the wood. ? i dont see any wire trailing across the front to the next letter.
This is where the pallet comes in super handy! I simply tucked the cord between the slats where it was showing and didn’t worry about a few inches showing here and there. Hope this helps!
Take care,
Trish
Trish & Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs recently posted..Merry Christmas 2012 ….
What lights do you use that won’t burn the letters?
The umbrella lights from World Market that I used don’t get hot. I don’t know if they are all like that, but these have worked well for us!
Take care,
Trish
Trish & Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs recently posted..Merry Christmas 2012 ….
How do you utilize the lights so they don’t show cord between each letter? This is pure genius!!
I just tucked them between the slats of the pallet. Nothing exact just a little push here and there.
Take care,
Trish
Trish & Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs recently posted..Merry Christmas 2012 ….