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Mini Marquee Sign with Lights

We made this giant marquee sign last summer and I loved making it so when I saw these Mini Globe Lights I knew had to make a mini version. I actually made this project last month but forgot to take photos. So when I pulled them out of the bag the letters were a little bent after being ignored. They are made out of paper so if they are on a shelf they’ll be fine but from experience I just don’t recommend cramming them in a paper bag. This would be cute for a birthday party or even a Christmas party. Depending on how many letters have it takes 1-2 hours. The key to making this project go smoothly is getting the right glue. See instructions and photos below.

Click through for full instructions and photos!

(p.s.: The letters don’t light up separately, it’s just a photoshop trick.

Materials Needed: Scissors, Quick Dry Tacky Glue, X-acto Knife, Whole Punch, Cardstock, Free Template, Ruler, Mini Globe Lights

Step 1: Download and Print the free template onto cardstock. Cut out the letters you need.
Step 2: Cut Strips 2″ Strips of Cardstock
Step 3: Figure out how many holes you need and make sure you have enough lights. You’ll want to leave a light in between each letter for space. Punch a hole. You don’t want these too small or too big. A standard hole punch is slightly too small so after you make the first punch, repeat on edges to make the hole a bit larger. It is ok if the holes aren’t perfectly round, you won’t be able to see them.
Step 4: Take the strips of paper and score where it will need to be bent (around the corners.) Once your folds are in place add the fast drying tacky glue about 3/4 of the way up  the strip. Wrap the strip around the letter and hold for 30 seconds until it sticks. Reinforce with a few small pieces of tape.
Step 5: Once the letters are dry paint them. We just used spray paint, let it dry.
Step 6: Put the lights into the letters and plug in!

Credits + Contributors:
All photography by Heather Zweig for Oh Happy Day
Art Directed by Jordan Ferney
Produced by Ashley Rose Kirschling

  1. Catherine

    November 5, 2012

    Wow!

    I love this! Those colors are very beautiful as well!

  2. Dani | ResonateLocal

    November 5, 2012

    Oh my cuteness! Love, love. Cannot WAIT to try this one.

  3. Amanda Jane Jones

    November 5, 2012

    clever giff!

  4. Mandy H.

    November 5, 2012

    So cute!! I can’t wait to try it!

  5. Anisa

    November 5, 2012

    oh this is so cute! I can’t wait to try it 🙂

  6. Eva Kolenko

    November 5, 2012

    This would be so good for so many things.. Great DIY project!

  7. Rachael

    November 5, 2012

    Those are so cute! I totally want to make some for my kids rooms.

  8. abby

    November 5, 2012

    This is amazing! They look SO good even though they’re paper. I really really want to make some 🙂 x

  9. meagan

    November 5, 2012

    you are so dang creative!

    xo the egg out west.

  10. Em

    November 5, 2012

    LOVE this! Might be making one for Christmas…

  11. Becca Blue

    November 5, 2012

    So much fun! Where is the garland from, or what is it made of? I like it almost as much! (Almost!)

      • jordan
      • November 5, 2012

      It’s made of little paper balls I got in France.

  12. wmbg

    November 5, 2012

    this is amazing. i might almost want to attempt this.

  13. rubi

    November 5, 2012

    i love this so much jordan!

  14. Featheringtodo

    November 5, 2012

    So pretty! I’m going to practice until I get it right! Thnx for posting!

  15. anna

    November 5, 2012

    oh! these are the cutest!

  16. sarah

    November 5, 2012

  17. amber baxley

    November 5, 2012

    well that is just adorable 🙂

  18. Emily Jeffords

    November 5, 2012

    These are crazy cute!!!! What a fun idea! Thanks for sharing!

    Emily
    http://www.beautifulhelloblog.com

  19. Tan

    November 5, 2012

    I love this! I’m not sure if I could get those fantastic globe lights, but I imagine Christmas lights would do the trick eh?

  20. C // Project Mintbean

    November 5, 2012

    This is SO AMAZING! What a great DIY post!

    C
    http://projectmintbean.blogspot.com

  21. Ashley /Glitter & Pixels

    November 5, 2012

    This is so cute! Even your palette is perfect!

  22. ays

    November 6, 2012

    i love this idea!

  23. Gina

    November 6, 2012

    ABSOLUTELY love this. Saw it on your instagram.

    http://www.eatblogpray.blogspot.com
    xo

  24. Marlène

    November 6, 2012

    Hello,
    it’s really so cute. Thank you for this tutorial. I vill try to do it with the first name of my son.I look at your blog but never dared to post a comment. I’m starting today to say thank you. And hello to Toulouse in France!

  25. Wendy Updegraff

    November 6, 2012

    What a fabulous idea! I always wanted to make the larger ones but never had enough room to spell out what I wanted so this will be perfect!

  26. Stephanie @ Couture Parties

    November 6, 2012

    Are you kidding me?! This is FANTASTIC!

  27. Jerusalem Greer

    November 6, 2012

    seriously the best diy I have seen in ages. really hope I can pull this off.

  28. Jen

    November 6, 2012

    So so SOOOOO cool! I need to find some time to make this.
    Thank you for sharing!

  29. dasmaedchenmitdenlocken

    November 6, 2012

    I love it too! The sign and the gif (!) are amazing.

  30. Daisy and Finn

    November 6, 2012

    Wow, love these!Am going to try these at Christmas !

  31. Victoria

    November 6, 2012

    GREAT Project! It looks like the lights are sold out on Amazon. Do you know of anywhere else I could buy them or something similar?

    Thanks so much!

  32. Elena @ Randomly Happy

    November 6, 2012

    WoW! Jordan this is amazing. I can’t wait to give this a go… though, being Italian I may have to take a little creative license and change bonjour to ciao! or buongiorno

    Thanks for sharing another brilliant idea!

    x Elena @ Randomly Happy

  33. Chloe Moon

    November 6, 2012

    Wow that is so cool!!!

  34. Laurel

    November 6, 2012

    can you make a template of all the letters for your larger marquee letters? or tell me how to do it? I absolutely love both sizes!!

  35. Taylor

    November 6, 2012

    This is the cutest diy i’ve seen in forever!! I can’t wait to put these all over my house!!

  36. Ali Henrie

    November 6, 2012

    You have the best ideas! This has to be one of my favorite DIY projects.

  37. Sonya

    November 6, 2012

    So cute! Can you post instructions on how to do the larger marquee letters. I am helping a friend create the letters as a proposal to his girlfriend that will be included in a Christmas light display. I read that you use the Rockwell font but we can’t get it to print out on multiple pieces of paper. Please help! We have already started making the letters for the letters that we need out of your “Movie” wording but need the additional letters as well.

  38. Renée

    November 6, 2012

    This is the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long while! So creative and looks so professional!

  39. Cakegirl's Kitchen

    November 6, 2012

    I am going to try this for my daughters birthday. I came upon some flashing mini lights (battery operated) and I think it will give it a nice touch. Using as a centerpiece at her Carnival Themed bday party. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

    Thanks!!!

  40. casey

    November 7, 2012

    How would a hot glue gun work? As far as fast drying…

  41. Danielle

    November 7, 2012

    Target has similar lights for Christmas for $10 a strand. They sell out quickly though! I love the pearl lights & this DIY is genius! Love love love it! Can’t wait to try it.

  42. Jenny Keks

    November 8, 2012

    Love it! I have to do this:)

  43. melissa

    November 8, 2012

    this project is ADORABLE. you are too creative! this is one i’d love to try.

  44. Ady

    November 8, 2012

    stupendo il tuo mondo, blog davvero incredibile, baci ady

  45. Esther

    November 9, 2012

    I love this at first sight!

  46. Evani G

    November 9, 2012

    These are brilliant! I’m so in love.

    Evani
    http://www.simplyevani.com

  47. Anneliese

    November 9, 2012

    This is crazy-cute! I love it! The colors are fabulous…

  48. marianne

    November 11, 2012

    really loved it and was inspired to make one for my daughter’s 21st.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151308392065336&set=a.10150617450555336.439474.604390335&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf

    Didn’t have the glue which made it hard to put together, but am quite happy with the results. Thank you for your great ideas.

  49. carrie

    November 12, 2012

    I love this and want to make one for myself. Can you tell me how many strings of lights you used for this project? It looks like more than 1. Also are these lights smaller than the typical small globe lights sold at Christmas time?

    Thank you!

  50. Caroline

    November 12, 2012

    Is the templete just for ‘Bonjour’? . I want to do this but need different letters.

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