DIY Illuminated Deer Christmas Decoration

by Claire at Pillarboxblue

$15

1 Hour

Easy

I love lights at Christmas, so this year I made a brilliant Christmas decoration for my wall. I upcycled a curbside find of a large old picture into a fabulous illuminated deer decoration.

The whole project cost me less than $15 which is a lot cheaper than it would be to buy something similar in an interiors shop. That's if you could find one.

diy illuminated deer christmas decoration, pets animals

I used large old picture, but any large frame will do. Mine was a lucky curbside find.

Disclaimer: I promise that no original artwork was harmed in the making of this DIY project. The picture used was a print. If it was an original painting, I would have sold it at auction and would currently be drinking Champagne contemplating my retirement

I painted over the picture (print) in chalkboard paint. I then searched the internet for a deer head silhouette (see by blog of the one I used). I printed out this deer picture.

To transfer the deer head silhouette to my chalkboard, I used a nifty little technique. I rubbed chalk over the deer outline.

I then taped the deer chalk side down onto my chalkboard. Pressing down hard, I traced the outline of the deer.

This transferred the chalk onto the board. I then went over the outline again with chalk and rubbed off an excess.

Christmas lights have come on along way over the last few years. You can now get some lovely LED lights on copper wire really cheaply. The wire is thin so it makes them perfect for a project like this. Click here to see the lights I used.

I drilled a small hole big enough to thread the end of my copper string lights through. Using glue dots, I fixed my copper wire to the deer head chalk outline.

With the copper string lights I used I managed to go round the deer 3 times.

Now all you need to do is plug them in and you will have a lovely decoration to light up your home.

Note of caution, the lights come with a remote control. Don't let your kids get hold of it, because if they are like mine they may put your lights on a frantic fit inducing flashing disco mode. Rather than the calmer slowly dimming mode I prefer.

If you like deer head decorations you may want to check out the fabric stags head I made last year click here to check it out.

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Frequently asked questions

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3 questions

Geoffrey Watson on Nov 27, 2016
Where did you find your string of lights? Thanks, Geoff

4
Don14927425 on Nov 28, 2016
Is it ok to use the copper wire lights outdoors?

2
MarIo on Dec 24, 2016
How did you hide the batteries?

1

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3 of 185 comments

Sheila Hibbert on Jan 28, 2019

I know its only January but I’m going to start some of these now as I usually leave it too late. I love the idea of the illuminated staff. I’ve got quite a few old prints in frames.

1 Reply
- Claire at Pillarboxblue on Jan 28, 2019
  
  Thank you, I made this a few years ago and I put it up every fall.
  
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Sheila Hibbert on Jan 28, 2019

Sorry that should read stag not staff.

1 Reply