Light Up Wall Art

 When I was small, my parents had a trendy piece of wall art that lit up. It was a kind of light box with a photo over the front. When it was dark and it was lit, it made a neat glow in the room. 


Here is my own version of light up wall art. It also makes a neat glow in the dark. It looks good in the daylight too.


Here is what you need to make one (of course, change colors and design to make it your own):











  • a framed artist canvas 15" x 30"
  • fabric: white, black, floral (1/2 yard each will do the trick)
  • white posterboard 20" x 30"
  • Fiskars Everywhere Punch: square
  • staple gun
  • scissors
  • yardstick
  • pencil
  • white craft glue
  • duct tape
  • string of white lights (mine had 50 lights)



Try this:

1. I recycled a canvas that I didn't like. If you have one to recycle, take the canvas off the frame. Also remove the center bar. If you have a new canvas, use as is with the canvas clean and white. You probably still want to remove the center bar.

2. Measure and cut the posterboard 15" x 30". Measure and draw lines 4" apart across posterboard. Use the square punch to punch squares in the second and fourth sections.

 Make a pattern or punch randomly like I did.

 3. Glue posterboard to front of frame or front of canvas.


 Design Tip: I did not think ahead, and punched too close to the edges. The frame shows through. It does not look horrible when finished, but if you are a perfectionist, you will want to start in farther when you punch. This would not have been a problem had I been working with a white canvas instead of just the frame.


 4. Lay white fabric on work surface. Lay frame on top of fabric. Trim fabric about 1 1/2" wider than frame on all sides.

 5. Wrap the edges of fabric up around the frame. Staple in place. Stretch fabric a bit as you staple.



6. Measure and cut four 4" x 18"  strips of black fabric. Wrap around frame, 4" apart and staple to back of frame. Don't cover up the punches you made.

Design Tip: If you can find striped fabric, it will cut out one step and one expense. I bought some this summer at IKEA. Look there.

7. Cut flowers out of floral fabric. I considered applying a solid piece of fabric and just cutting out the flowers on the left side, but I did not like the brown background with my black stripes.

 8. Glue to side of canvas that does not have the punches. Think about spraying with Scotchguard to make it easier to dust later on.





 9. Fill the back of the canvas with string of lights. Tape them to the frame to hold them in place.


Design Tip: If you use a thicker framed canvas, the lights will fit better, and the canvas will hang flatter against the wall.



Daytime.  A nice contemporary piece of art.


Nighttime. Glowy! The square punchouts add a layer of visual texture, and are kind of a surprise when the lights come on.

Use your glowy Vitamin C!



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6 creative thoughts:

Barbara { April 3, 2012 at 7:42 PM }
Wow! That would be neat in a young child's room that needed a night light, using nursery rhymes maybe. Thanks for sharing.
YoungGramee { April 4, 2012 at 9:34 AM }
Glowy! That is the perfect word--retro updated is always fab. A great Easter break project for teens too! Would make a nice art night light in the bathroom coordinating with colors and design....
Joy! { April 4, 2012 at 10:48 PM }
This would make a sweet night light that is attractive. It is a piece that would make you stare and dream ;o)
Well done. So charming!
Joy! { April 4, 2012 at 10:50 PM }
So funny, I didn't read the other comments before I posted and I see that we all mentioned "night light" :o)
allisamazing { April 28, 2012 at 12:39 PM }
What a fabulous idea. I just love it :)
Taylor @ Pink Heels Pink Truck { April 29, 2012 at 1:42 PM }
So cute! I would love for you to share this with my "Unveil Your Genius" link party.
http://taylornorris.blogspot.com/2012/04/unveil-your-genius-link-party-8.html

Happy Sunday!

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