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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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December 19, 2013

Outdoor DIY Marquee Sign for the Holidays! #damagefreeDIY

DIY Outdoor Holiday Marquee Sign

Today I, along with the Command Brand, am sharing a super cool outdoor holiday project! I have been so busy getting the INSIDE decorated, that I must confess I had been a little neglectful of the outside!

Oh I had thrown some lights in the bushes and hung a wreath on the door, but I had still to create that one fun thing to make our yard stand out from the rest of the neighborhood.  Until I came up with this idea…

DIY outdoor holiday marquee sign

an outdoor DIY marquee sign! I’m going to show you how you can make one for yourself, in an afternoon.  Here’s what you’ll need…

SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED:

Sheet of plywood (large enough to accommodate the word you choose. Mine was 4 feet X 24″ by 1/2″ thick)
Large wooden craft letters (mine were 18 inches tall)
White spray paint and primer combination
Gold spray paint
Sets of  large bulb outdoor approved lights (I used 3 sets of 25 for my project)
1 inch wood drill bit
2-3 small wood stakes (I found mine in the garage sale sign section of my home improvement store)
Outdoor Command Brand Light Clips
Nail gun and brads (or small nails and hammer), measuring tape, pencil, shop vac, sawhorses, safety glasses

supplies for diy lighted marquee

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN SIGN:

DIY outdoor lighted marquee sign tutorial

1. Paint plywood sheet with white spray paint and allow to dry thoroughly
2. Paint letters with gold spray paint and allow to dry thoroughly.
3. Arrange letters on plywood and measure to make sure they are centered and even.
4. Nail letters to plywood using nail gun and brads or small finishing nails and hammer.
5. Measure and mark out where you will drill your holes for lights.  I spaced mine 2 1/2-3 inches apart.

DIY outdoor lighted marquee sign tutorial

5. Using firm pressure drill holes on marked locations.  Step back and make sure holes are lined up and even.
6. Use a shop vac, if you have one, while working to keep letters and work space free of sawdust for easy clean up.

DIY outside lighted marquee sign tutorial

7.  Once you have your holes drilled and your work space cleaned up, begin to thread lights through holes.  You will need to remove each bulb and push base up through hole, and place bulb back in base.  Start at the top and work your way across your sign so that you end with your plug at the base of sign to attach to extension cord.
8. Once you have all of your lights placed, turn your sign over to arrange cords neatly along back of sign using the Command Outdoor Light Clips.

DIY outdoor lighted marquee sign tutorial 9

The Command OUTDOOR Light Clips work great for outdoor lighting projects because they hold strongly in temperatures from -20°F to 125°F! They also are provide damage free hanging and remove cleanly when you are finished with them.

DIY outdoor lighted marquee sign tutorial

9. Place your Command light clips along the back of your sign, where you will gather up the light cords neatly, and allow the clips to set for one hour.  Run clips along the bottom of your sign for excess lights and cords.  This will keep them protected and off of the ground.  If you need to reposition a clip, it’s super easy! Just pull the strip straight down and the clip will pop cleanly off.  You can use a new strip and reuse the clip in the proper location.

DIY outside lighted marquee sign tutorial

10.  For the final step, using your nail gun or finishing nails and a hammer attach stakes to the back of the sign, lining the top up evenly with the sign. Place your sign in your yard and hammer stakes into ground to properly secure your sign.  Plug lights into a outdoor approved extension cord and watch your sign glow!

DIY outdoor holiday lighted marquee sign

DIY outdoor lighted marquee sign

Be sure to see this video from John Storms, holiday lights display expert,  for more fabulous ways to use Outdoor Command Strip Products in your holiday decorating!

And we invite you to follow the Command Brand on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube for great ideas and projects using Command products!

Are you all ready for the holidays? If you still have some last minute outdoor decorating to do, be sure to grab you some of the Command Outdoor Products for easy and #damagefreeDIY !

DIY outdoor holiday marquee sign

signature

I was provide product and composition from Command Brands for this project and post, but all opinions and ideas are my own.  Please see our full disclosure policy for more information. 

24 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, DIY, Holidays, Outdoors, Reviews, Sponsored, Tutorials Tagged With: Christmas, DIY, tutorials

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Comments

  1. TidyMom says

    December 19, 2013 at 5:33 AM

    oh I love that you made the marquee sign for outside!! that would be fabulous for parties too!!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 19, 2013 at 10:38 AM

      It would be great for parties and even for a kid’s bedroom, my daughter is talking me into making her one for her room! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Cheryl!

      Heather

      Reply
  2. lucysinspired says

    December 19, 2013 at 5:43 AM

    I love this sign! I’ve always wanted to make one. Maybe I should make one for my booths for when I sell Lucy Lockets! Will you make it for me? pretty please? 😉

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 19, 2013 at 10:38 AM

      I think I just need to head down your way and help you make one. 😉 Thanks for stopping by Lucy!

      Heather

      Reply
  3. Jennifer @ Celebrating Everyday Life says

    December 19, 2013 at 5:50 AM

    I didn’t realize that Command had Outdoor hooks too! WOW!! This opens up so many new frontiers! Thank you so much for sharing. Your sign is wonderful!! Where did you find those 18″ letters? Love, LOVE those!! Happy Holidays!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 19, 2013 at 10:37 AM

      Hi Jennifer, The letters are from Hobby Lobby, they are huge! I love them. Happy Holidays to you!

      Heather

      Reply
  4. Thistle says

    December 19, 2013 at 5:53 AM

    This is such a fun project! You go girl! I am totally pinning to make for next year!

    Merry, merry Christmas to you sweet friend!
    karianne

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 19, 2013 at 10:36 AM

      Thank you! Merry Christmas to you my dear friend!

      Heather

      Reply
  5. jp says

    December 19, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    I am crazy over this with the big, old fashioned lights….I want one for our New Year’s Eve party! Thanks for sharing that great video, too!
    Wishing you and Vanessa a wonderful celebration this year……Happy Holidays!
    JP

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 19, 2013 at 10:36 AM

      It would be fabulous for New Year’s Eve! Great idea! Thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays to you!

      Heather

      Reply
  6. LUCY says

    December 19, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    Love this ! Thanks for the great tutorial..:)

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 19, 2013 at 10:35 AM

      Thank you Lucy! Heather

      Reply
  7. Sharon Rexroad's Bringing Creativity to Life says

    December 19, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    Heather — SO worth the sweat & tears yesterday! I’m saving this as inspiration for a project for NEXT year! (I’ve hit that point — all fresh inspiration ain’t gonna get done for THIS Christmas)

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 22, 2013 at 8:47 AM

      I’ve hit that point too, Sharon! lol I think I may use it on my mantel next year! 🙂 Heather

      Reply
  8. Mimi says

    December 19, 2013 at 2:00 PM

    Nice project that can be customized for a variety of styles. Thanks for the post.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 22, 2013 at 8:46 AM

      Thank you Mimi! ~Heather

      Reply
  9. Cheryl says

    December 19, 2013 at 2:23 PM

    What an amazing idea…and it could be used for many other occasions! Have a very Merry Christmas at the picket fence!
    Cheryl

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 22, 2013 at 8:46 AM

      Thank you Cheryl! My daughter is requesting one for her room now. 😉 Merry Christmas to you! ~Heather

      Reply
  10. Randi - Dukes and Duchesses says

    December 19, 2013 at 3:03 PM

    That’s so fabulous! I’d love to have that in my front yard! Great use of those clips … we really need to get some of those and do some outdoor decorating.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 22, 2013 at 8:45 AM

      Thanks Randi! The outdoor clips have really helped up nicely! Heather

      Reply
  11. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    December 19, 2013 at 4:17 PM

    What a great idea and it must look so cool outside your house at night 🙂 I would love to see that driving in my driveway 🙂

    Reply
    • Heather says

      December 22, 2013 at 8:45 AM

      Thanks Jess! It does look really cool from the street! Heather

      Reply
  12. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    December 21, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    So pretty! I love how this turned out! Pinning of course! xo

    Reply
  13. Margaret says

    October 28, 2014 at 7:32 PM

    I love this. I know my hubby won’t nix this idea and I might have a shot at getting his help. It isn’t too girly…it stores fairly flat…some work but should last for years…statement piece for those who want to declare their faith with a word like Savior.
    My question is…how would you suggest decorating with it. Not sure if I want it just propped up against a tree. Any suggestions?

    Reply

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