Love Canvas

This little project is absolutely perfect for Valentine's Day, but I definitely intend to keep it up all year long in my house! Inspired by the famous Philadelphia landmark, this illuminated LOVE canvas is relatively easy and surprisingly inexpensive to make! I bought the 16x20 canvas in a two-pack on sale, so it only cost a couple of bucks. The white lights were on clearance after Christmas for around a dollar, and the paint is only about a dollar. I already had the awl on hand, but I think your average scratch awl is only about five bucks.

What you'll need ~

• 16x20 canvas
• Strand of 35 white lights
• Awl
• LOVE template (download here)

• Scotch tape
• Pencil
• Red acrylic paint
• Paint brush

How to make it ~

Start by printing out the free LOVE template (link above). Each letter prints out on a 8.5x11 piece of paper and is perfectly sized to fit the 16x20 canvas. However, if you want to do your own LOVE design, have at it!

Cut out each letter and tape them in place on the canvas. Take a pencil and lightly trace around each letter. Once you're done outlining the letters, remove the paper templates and paint inside each letter with your red acrylic paint (I used DecoArt Tuscan Red). Allow to dry thoroughly, probably about 30 minutes.

For this next part, you can use the templates again, or you can just eyeball it. Gently tape the letter templates back in place on the canvas and use your awl to punch through each hole that is marked (these are spaced just right for a standard string of lights).

Once all your holes are made, remove the paper templates and start adding your lights! Start at the lower right corner - the letter E - and place the light closest to the plug there. Push a light through each hole. Now just plug it in and let it shine!

--- This project was created by Erika Pitera, the managing editor and art director here at ZEST

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• diy decor
• IndieSpotting
• Valentine's Day crafts