DIY: Light Castle

Reminiscent of those tiny, snow clad lighted villages your grandmother set up under the Christmas tree, these castles can really take you away to another place and time. I like the idea of using these as a table centerpiece, place cards, or randomly placed for an outdoor party to add just a touch of mystical flair. This enchanting DIY was found on fellow fellow among other cute little projects.

DIY Houses by Night by fellow fellow:

There are a few tricks to making this DIY a success, all to do with finding the perfect image.
> What you’re looking for is a picture of a house/castle/building that’s taken front-on (perspective works, but not as well). You could take it from your favourite magazine, an old calendar, or even print some from the internet. Up to you! In fact, you could even print a photo of your house if you have one.
> The print needs to have a bit of space either side of the house to wrap around to the back of the votive.
> It’s best to choose a picture that is higher in the middle than at the sides, and sides that are about the same height.
> Choose a house that has some windows visible.
> If possible, find a picture that has nothing printed on the back. If you can’t, not to worry – it could add a nice effect.

Step 1: You want to start cutting and finish cutting at around the same height on either side of your picture. Use the scissors to cut straight in to where your house begins, cut around the top of the house, and cut straight back out to the edge at around the same height as you cut in.

Step 2: Trim away any other areas you don’t want, but don’t trim the sides yet.

Step 3: Using your Xacto knife and a cutting mat, carefully cut out any windows you want the light to shine through.

Step 4: Wrap the image into a cylinder (size is up to you) and sticky tape it together. Trim around the top if it doesn’t quite match, as well as any excess where you joined it.

Step 5: Add your battery operated tea light, and wait until it gets dark!

Note: Because paper (of course) is highly flammable, the use of battery operated candles over real ones is imperative.

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