Fun and festive wall hanging

This week I linked this project to Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple  and DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land

I also linked up late to Living With Lindsay's Impromptu Linky Party!

Check these blogs out for more creative decorating ideas!

Here is the last of my holiday decorating workshop items.  This wall hanging is SO easy to make!

I found this idea on Martha's website (me and Martha are on a first name basis!)  Here's the how to:

1) Buy any size artist's canvas at a craft or art supply store.  I used a 20x30.

2) Using a Sharpie marker, draw your design in a dotted fashion on the canvas.  I drew freeform flowers.  Some other designs might be:  Star, last name initial, Poinsettia, or Christmas tree.

3) Use a small Phillips head screwdriver to gently punch a hole through each dot in your design.  Canvas is pretty durable, so don't worry about using a little pressure.

4)  Get 2 strands (you may need 3 if your canvas size is larger than 20x30 or if your design is intricate) of Christmas lights.  Inspect your lights to be sure each bulb is working.  Change any burned out bulbs if necessary.

5) Turn the canvas over and make sure the plug is at the bottom.

6) Start placing an individual light through each hole in the canvas, using clear packing tape to secure the strand as you go.  

7) Using small finishing nails, nail two nails about 3.5 inches apart at the top of the canvas on the wood frame.

8) Wrap each nail with floral or picture hanging wire creating a hanger.  You can cut the wire to any length you want, depending on how long you want your ribbon bow to be.

9)  Use a 10 lb nail or picture hanger to hang the canvas.

10) Use your choice of 1.5 - 2" satin ribbon to cover the wire hanger.  I wrapped my ribbon around the hanging nail and secured the ends to the back of the canvas with clear packing tape.  Take another piece of ribbon and tie a bow around the top.

11)  Plug into an extension cord to light.  I taped my extension cord to the wall behind the buffet and placed a larger object in front of it on the tabletop so you don't see the cord.

Here is the little vignette I put together in my formal dining room.

I'll be posting again later this week, to show you in more detail the "beachy christmas" tablescape on my buffet.

For the lighted canvas, you could also lean it up against the wall on a tabletop, or on the floor if you are using a large size canvas.

You could also use colored lights and you could paint the canvas before you start the project if you don't want white.