There’s something uniquely magical about transforming ordinary materials into pieces of art that glow—literally. The busted canvas craft is a blend of rustic charm and modern lighting that breathes new life into a broken or repurposed canvas. And we have the complete tutorial here!
This easy and rewarding DIY craft uses string lights to create an eye-catching display that works beautifully as home décor, a personalized gift, or a statement piece for events. If you’re looking to add a touch of warmth and creativity to your space, this tutorial is for you.
Why You Will Love This Busted Canvas Tutorial
The project is more than just a creative outlet—it’s a satisfying experience for any skill level. Here’s why it’s sure to become one of your favorite DIYs:
- Minimal Supplies, Maximum Impact: You don’t need a ton of fancy tools—just a torn or old canvas, a strand of LED fairy lights, a bit of paint or embellishment, and your imagination.
- Upcycling Win: It’s a great way to give new life to damaged or discarded canvases, making it an eco-friendly project.
- Customizable Aesthetic: From soft pastels to bold abstracts, the background design is entirely up to you. Add stenciled quotes, silhouettes, or textured elements to make it uniquely yours.
- Therapeutic and Fun: The process of designing, painting, and embedding the lights is both calming and exciting—perfect for an afternoon of crafting.
Gifting and Display Ideas
One of the most charming aspects of this project is how versatile the final product is. Here are some ways to use your glowing masterpiece:
- Thoughtful Gifts: Personalize it with meaningful quotes, initials, or symbols for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays.
- Nursery or Kids’ Room Art: Use soft lighting and cheerful designs to create a comforting glow in a child’s room.
- Holiday Decor: Think snowflakes, stars, or ornaments for festive-themed versions during Christmas or New Year.
- Wall Art with a Twist: Hang it above your bed, in an entryway, or on a gallery wall to add a warm, inviting ambiance.
- Event Backdrops: Ideal for weddings, baby showers, or graduation parties—especially with thematic customization.
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Materials Needed
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- Framed Canvas (we got ours from Dollar Tree)
- Image of your choice (we got ours from Creative Fabrica)
- Decorative paper or paper napkin
- Mod Podge
- Paintbrushes
- Hot glue gun
- Twinkle lights
How to Make a Busted Canvas with Lights
I shared the tutorial for how to make this busted canvas with lights on a Facebook live which you can watch here. Or if you prefer reading the step-by-step tutorial, continue below.
- Start by separating the two plies of napkin using just the top layer and cut to fit into the back of the canvas.
- Add a coat of Mod Podge glue to the back of the canvas and gently press your paper napkin onto it.
- Next, turn your canvas over and repeat with a different napkin or decorative paper. Fold over the edges of the canvas and cut off any excess from the sides.
- Take your craft knife or scissors and carefully cut slashes into the canvas in the center where you plan to place the image. Make sure not to cut all the way to the edges.
- Flip the canvas over and gently fold back the edges of the slashes. Hot glue the ends to the front of the canvas. Continue until all the edges have been folded over.
- Hot glue the twinkle lights to the back of the canvas along the frame.
- Finally, glue the image onto the frame of the canvas and trim off any excess.
More Crafts using Twinkle Lights
- DIY Mason Jar Lanterns
- Frosted Wine Bottle Centerpieces
- Mason Jar Lights with Flowers
- Ribbon Christmas Tree
- Dollar Tree Bowl Ornament
- Wintry Snowman Craft
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Busted Canvas Tutorial with Lights
Materials
- Framed Canvas
- Image of your choice we got ours from Creative Fabrica
- Decorative paper or paper napkin
- Mod Podge
- Paintbrushes
- Hot glue gun
- Twinkle lights
Instructions
- Start by separating the two plies of napkin using just the top layer and cut to fit into the back of the canvas.
- Add a coat of Mod Podge glue to the back of the canvas and gently press your paper napkin onto it.
- Next, turn your canvas over and repeat with a different napkin or decorative paper. Fold over the edges of the canvas and cut off any excess from the sides.
- Take your craft knife or scissors and carefully cut slashes into the canvas in the center where you plan to place the image. Make sure not to cut all the way to the edges.
- Flip the canvas over and gently fold back the edges of the slashes. Hot glue the ends to the front of the canvas. Continue until all the edges have been folded over.
- Hot glue the twinkle lights to the back of the canvas along the frame.
- Finally, glue the image onto the frame of the canvas and trim off any excess.