Back to School Marquee- With FREE 8x10 Print

A few weeks ago, I got a package in the mail from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store. It was a follow up to the Big Bling I was a part of last month when I decked out my fridge. The package had three items and a gift card in it. I was told to use all three things in the box, plus whatever goodies I could find at the store to create a back to school craft.

Usually challenges like these are pretty simple for me, but this time they threw me for a loop. The box had mini clothespins and some chevron stickers. Easy peasy right? Well the third item was the one that completely stumped me. When I opened up the box I found a LED light string. What the heck!? How was I going to make a back to school craft with that. As my deadline approached (my deadline is tomorrow) and I still had no craft idea on the horizon, I began to worry. What if I missed my deadline? How embarrassing! I told my hubby of my concerns and guess what happened? He had a spark of brilliance! Without a blink of an eye, he said "Why not make a shadow box with a little light in it and words to be your theme for school...Mom's like stuff like that right?". OMG! I couldn't believe he had come up with that fantastic idea. I was ecstatic! That man of mine is a keeper!

So here I am today, ready to tell you how to make a back to school marquee of your own. This was super easy to make and I even have the free printable for you as well. Your welcome:)

Hubby and I decided on the words "Learn, Laugh, and Grow". We felt like these  three words would be beneficial for our kids to focus on this year in school. I love having a sweet theme to be our starting point for a new school year. Sit down as a family and come up with your own theme. It will be such a sweet reminder for your littles, as they enter a new school year. It will be a great reminder for us mamas too!

You can download my 8x10 print HERE for making your own marquee. I ordered mine from Costco. Their 8x10 prints are under $2 and can be picked up the same day. I ordered mine in the morning and was able to pick it up a few hours later.

Ready to make your own marquee?

Let's get to it...


Items needed

8x10 print
12 x 12 scrapbook paper x2
paper scraps for bunting
twine
mini clothespins
chevron "bling" stickers
3D foam squares
LED light string
scotch tape
shadow box  - 11x14

Most of these goodies are apart of The Big Bling line at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store. I am loving this new line. 

* a lot of my paper scraps were left over from when I pimped out my planner. I love it when I can use craft leftovers on projects:) Just like checking in your pantry for cooking, you can check in your craft stash before creating. I do this and it always saves me money and time!

I started out with my 12 x 12 scrapbook paper. These are on sale this week at Jo-ann Fabric and Craft Store. I am in love with the polka-dots. I cut my paper to fit the template within the shadow box. I had to overlap my two papers to make it long enough for my 11 x 14 frame.

I used scotch tape instead of glue on this project. It was less messy and helped me when I was figuring out how I wanted everything to look. It also is great that I will be able to change this out next year for whatever new theme we come up with:)

I then placed 3D foam squares onto the back of my 8x10 print. I did three rows, so my picture would be secured within the frame.

Don't remove the packing off of your foam squares until you are sure of the placement of your 8x10 print. Once you are sure where you want it placed, then remove to packing so your picture can stick in place.

 

Use paper scraps to create your bunting. I had leftover scraps, that I cut down to size. I secured them with mini clothespins and twine. I added a bit of tape to the back of some of my clothespins, so they would stay in place.

Now it is time to add your LED lights. These things are so nifty. They come on a string with a little battery pack. I started at the bottom left corner and worked my way around. Secure as you go with a little pieces of tape.

Leave enough at the end, so your battery pack can be taped to the back of the frame.

Next add your insert and then add the backing to the frame. I secured my battery pack to the back of the frame with tape.

Turn on your frame and enjoy! My kids love turning this on at night. They said it feels like Christmas:) Now if I only I could have them convinced that starting school is like Christmas. Haha!

 

What are you doing to get ready for back to school?

XO Danielle

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The Big Bling: Blinging Out Your Fridge

This is a sponsored post.  I was compensated to create this tutorial, but the opinions are 100% my own.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores asked me to be part of The Big Bling going on the entire month of June.  Each week of the month has a different theme to inspire you.  This week’s theme is neons and brights, and my blinged out fridge has a bit of both!

My fridge has been looking like a hot mess lately. Random papers and children's art work was displayed everywhere. Things were constantly getting knocked down when little feet ran by the fridge. This mama was getting pretty frustrated with the whole thing. 

When Joann Fabric and Craft Store asked me to be a part of their Big Bling Campaign, I knew I needed to make my fridge the item I was blinging out. I went to Joann, with my coupons in hand, and was immediately inspired. They had a whole aisle of Lockerlookz goodies, wooden frames, and a lot of chalkboard stuff (remember I love all things chalkboard). I was in crafting heaven.

These are the items I snagged to bling out my fridge:

2 DIY wooden frames

2 lockerlookz magnet flowers

1 bottle neon green acrylic paint

1 bottle neon pink acrylic paint

paint brushes *

chalkboard vinyl *

1 repurposed file folder *

1 sheet of rhinestone stick-on gems *

1 sheet of  silver studs

1 sheet of stick-on pearls *

1 lockerlookz bin

*already had in my craft stash

I started by giving my wooden frames two coats of neon paint. I kept my third wooden frame for another project I'll share next week :)

I love the scalloped edges on these frames! Too fun! They are each under $3 this week too! Wooden frames are my favorite, since you can customize them to your own decor :)

Once my frames were dried, I added my bling. I am in love with the rhinestone and pearl mixture on the pink frame. Too fun! I did two frames, one for each munchkin.

I kept the cardboard inserts in when I was painting. This helps me not get paint everywhere. Once the paint was dry, I removed the cardboard insert and replaced it with cheetah scrapbook paper I had in my stash. Once the littles create some little works of art, they will be able to fill their frames with their own masterpieces.

Next, I hot glued heavy duty magnets to the back of my frames.

Another thing I wanted on my fridge was a folder to keep all those papers hubby and I get from church and such. I didn't want a boring old file folder, so I decided to bling it out with some chalkboard vinyl.

I used my file folder as a pattern and traced around it. I adhered the vinyl to the folder and glued it closed on the ends. I also added magnets to the back of my folder as well.

This was a simple craft, that only took an afternoon to do. Here is the before of my hot mess of a fridge.

Now the after.....

I added a vinyl square for my menu plan, some buttons glued onto magnets, and all my other lockerlookz goodies. 

The boy told me this was one of my best crafts. That little man makes me laugh!

These work great for your teens locker as well! All LockerLookz coordinate with each other and will take either your fridge or teens locker from drab to fab! They are also easy on the wallet too!

Jo-ann Craft and Fabric Store is also having an Instagram Sweepstakes.
Find out about how to enter here.

XO Danielle

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel!