Wedding DIY Part 1: Light Up Letters

With less than two weeks until the wedding, I thought I'd share one of the DIY projects I've been working on:  light up letters/initials.

I admit, I love things that light up or glow.  It's just a me thing.  When I saw all kinds of giant light up letters at my local Ben Franklin, I was inspired.  I bought a giant S and J and got down to business.  Here's how I did it:

What you need:

• Large paper mache letter
• String lights (I used these, but normal Christmas lights will work too)
• Craft knife
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Drill with drill bit matching the size of your lights
• Sand paper
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Masking tape

1.  Start out by carefully cutting the back off your letter with a craft knife.  Make sure that your letter is oriented the right way before you cut to avoid cutting the wrong side.  Remove any crinkly pieces inside and set aside along with the back.

2.  Use a ruler and pencil to measure out and mark where you want to drill the holes for your lights.

3.  Carefully drill holes for your lights.  You may need to sand down any rough edges.

4.  Paint your letter and its back and allow to dry.  You may need more than one coat.

5.  Insert your lights and secure them with tape making sure to leave the plug end of the cord in a place that makes sense.  Test the lights to make sure they look the way you want and that they all work.

6.  Reinsert the crinkly pieces of cardboard to make your letter sturdy.  Cut a small hole in the back piece for the cord to go through and tape the back onto the letter with masking tape.

7.  Paint over your tape and allow to dry.  You're all done!

I can't wait to see our initials lit up in the dining room at the wedding!