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Light Up Marquee Letters

August 18, 2015

DSC_0292dAlmost exactly a year ago, we were getting ready to celebrate both of my  sons birthdays. (There birthdays are one day apart.)   I got a little over-zealous and threw a carnival themed birthday party. You can see all the awesome details here.

While making the decorations, I some how got it in my  head that  Marquee letters were an absolute must.  NATURALLY?  I  mentally  justified it, deciding it would also make a great addition to the kids room after the party.

How to make your own wooden marquee letters! www..sawdust2stitches.com

So today  I am going to show you how I went about making mine!

I began by  cutting out my letters using a jigsaw and then  using a 1/2″ bit I drilled holes  that the lights will b fed through.  After everything was cut, and drilled,  I sanded down the whole piece.

Tools Suggsted:

  • Jigsaw
  • Drill and 1/2″ bit
  • Sander
  • x-acto knife
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Router (if desired)

Supplies Used:

  •  Plywood
  • Primer
  • Paint
  • Ping Pong Balls
  • String Lights
  • Hot Glue Sticks

 

Making marquee letters sawdust2stitches.com

Next I routed out the a groove on the  back of the letter connected all the holes on the back.  This will allow a place for the cord to sit,  should you wish to mount it flat on a wall. If you are resting it on a ledge,  this step is not completely  necessary.

wooden MArquee Letters route out back sawdust2stitches.com

  Next  I primed the letters. After the primer  dried, I gave it a quick once over with a fine grit sandpaper. Wooden Marquee letter sawdust2stitches.com Next I  spray painted the letters.  When using spray paint always remember to use MULTIPLE LIGHT COATS!  It makes all the difference in the world!

Marquee letter sawdust2stitches.com

Once  it is evenly  coated with the base red,  I  used a small amount of black  spray paint and dusted the edges.  (I was feeling impatient that day.)

Wooden Marquee letters sawdust2stitches.com

Now we are ready for the lights!  Feed the lights through the holes.  (In  some cases  my holes were too far spaced, and I simply ad to leave a light in the back.)

IMG_0399

I used  a hot glue gun to secure the light cord to the back of the letter.

IMG_0404

To give the appearance of large bulbs I utilized basic ping pong balls!

IMG_0357

 I simply cut small “x’s”  in each one using an x-acto knife.

IMG_0362

 Then  just pop the light into the “x”.  For good measure I added a small dab of hot glue on the base of the ping pong ball and pressed it into place!

IMG_0407

Look!  Here  they are in all of their photo backdrop glory.

back drop ss

 Can  you tell they were worn out by the end of the party ?

DSC_7250

They found their long term home up in the kids rooms.

 

boys room

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2015

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in Crafts, Tutorials, Uncategorized # Light Fixture, Spray Paint, Wall Art, Wall Decor

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Comments

  1. Mindi says

    August 23, 2015 at 11:55 pm

    I love these Corey, the ping pong balls were a genius idea!

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Meet Corey

Hi everyone, my name is Corey, and I have a problem. I can’t leave well enough alone… The best therapy usually involves a variety of power tools. So, in the few “spare” moments I am not entertaining my two beautiful, rambunctious, boys, I can typically be found hunched over a sewing machine and/or covered in sawdust. All in the efforts to create a perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality in our home.
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