Revive a pergola by lighting it up! In mid-May, our pergola was a sad sight. So faded and needing cleaning, we didn’t enjoy our backyard nearly as much as we should. We saved money by restoring our tired pergola and outdoor furniture with power washing and staining. Installing string and curtain lights made what was…
Category: Parties
Quick and easy backyard fence lighting project
Planning a party? Enjoying summer evenings in the backyard? This project doesn’t require a ladder or special materials. With about 40 minutes of time and under $125 for bulbs and a cord, a backyard can go from “You have a lovely backyard” to “Wow, what’s the special occasion?” or better yet, “Whoo whoo, this looks…
DIY: Lighting a Patio for Family Friday Nights with Round Bulbs and Magnetic Clips
Every season is a great time to hang out with family on the back patio. In Texas, we love bundling up during the winter months as much as we love relaxing with a margarita in the summer heat. The biggest benefit of winter is that there are no mosquitos! In summer we bring out the…
Our Favorite Bulbs for Spring
When buds appear on the trees and longer, brighter days appear, it’s natural to turn our attention to outdoor living and lighting. Everyone needs a place to relax in the evening after a long day of gardening and Spring cleaning. Start measuring and making plans now. Our Incandescent Top Pick for Spring Classic incandescent bulbs…
Get This Look: Curtain lights add fun and romance to the backyard
Whether it’s a backyard sauna, a firepit, or a covered patio, we all want a backyard haven. With Valentines around the corner, don’t forget lighting to create a magical outdoor space for relaxing outside after a Valentine’s Day dinner-for-two or a “Gal”-entine party with friends. To get this look, 3 sets of curtain lights span…
Get This Look: Wrapping Trees with Lights
We love this customer project. Using a 100-foot C9 cord and 100 traditional incandescent (glass) bulbs. The 12-inch spacing makes this combination a good fit for larger trees. Since the lights look equally well installed along a roofline, the dual-use makes planning the entire display simple and cohesive. Not just for Christmas, this project is…
Repurposing Christmas lights after the Season!
Before uninstalling, organizing, and storing your Christmas lights, consider giving them a second look. You might find the perfect string of lights to brighten a patio or fenceline to add cheer to what’s left of winter. It’s all about the bulbs. Traditional white incandescent or LED bulbs and cords work equally well along a roofline…
Get This Look: Lighting a Hayride!
This project is one of our favorites. With a few sets of 12-volt lights, a fun covered wagon from fun to WOW, THAT’S FUN!!! Perfect for hayrides, parades, and parties, we hope this photo inspires you as much as it did us! Get the look! 3-5 sets of warm white 12-volt lights on green wire…
Lighting Outdoor Trees for a Party
We love to see how customers use lights for parties and special occasions. These lights were installed between trees to celebrate a milestone birthday. Get the Look! Outdoor rated light cords with E26/Medium base sockets Glass T50 bulbs Be sure to keep all cords tucked out of the way and off any walkways. Be sure…
Lights create a lovely oasis
About a week ago, we received this letter from a customer with these comments and a photo of how he and his family are enjoying their lights. Hello, Just a few thoughts on the recent purchase and installation of my patio lights. First, I love the quality of light strings. Whenever possible I shop value….
Adding Sparkle to a Shelter-at-Home High School Graduation
We heard from Angela in Dallas that she needed royal blue lights to help celebrate her son’s High School graduation. It’s been tough during times like these for graduating seniors and we are glad we could help. We suggested that because of their electric quality that the LED version of blue light strings might be…
5 Easy Steps to Personalized String Lights
We all love strings of twinkle lights brightening the yard during the Christmas Season but have you asked yourself. . . . What about Spring? The good news for Spring is there are a ton of options to light your outdoor entertainment areas. Personalized commercial-grade light strings are a magical way to accent pergolas, porches, open spaces, and more. If you plan…
Battery Lights, Mason Jars, and Dr. Who!
Be inspired by this 5-minute project to accessorize your next party!
Decorating For Halloween With Christmas Lights
Using Christmas lights to decorate for Halloween is a great way to put to good use lights that may only see action a few weeks of the year. Pull out your bins and take an inventory of light strings and lights with bulbs that might work for October. Look for these colors: purple, orange, yellow,…
DIY: Hula Hoop Chandelier
Wedding tents, pergolas, and porches are perfect places for today’s project. We love how a string of lights and a few accessories that you may already have on hand turn a basic hula hoop into a beautiful chandelier! Materials Hula Hoop – find one at a dollar store, a big-box retailer, or at home in…
DIY: Milk Carton Ghosts
We love a fun project for Halloween! Milk Carton Ghost Luminaries are officially spooky. We’ve been saving the milk jugs for this project for a while, and we’re happy to get them put to work and out of the storage area. We have another tip…. rinse stored milk jugs. Thankfully, our video did not include…
DIY: Cupcake Liner Flower Lights
We love cupcakes so it stands to reason that we’d marry our love of baking and lights. This is a fun project that is perfect for decorating for a birthday, shower, or party. Choose the cupcake liners based on the celebration! Materials String of lights Cupcake liners Scissors Hot Glue or Elmers (maybe) Instructions The…
DIY: Birthday Party Lights and Glass Blocks!
Birthday parties are a wonderful way to mark milestones in a person’s life. Decorating can be overwhelming but this easy DIY project takes at least a little of the stress out of the celebration! Materials Craft lights Glass block Vinyl or adhesive letters Lantern Glass blocks come in all sizes and are readily available at…
The Perfect Margarita
Every February, we raise our glass to toast National Margarita Day and dream about warm Spring and Summer days ahead! Read more about this February 22nd “holiday” at the Official Margarita Day website. While we don’t know exactly who created the margarita we raise our glasses in tribute and say, “Muchas Gracias!”. Here’s my favorite…
DIY: Raffia Easter Eggs in a Vase!
Any of our readers know we love quick and easy projects to add light to our homes all year. We’re so excited that Spring is just around the corner that we grabbed a few items from our decor center – yes the part of our office that looks like a craft store descended and at…
How do you make Christmas lights twinkle?
How can I make my lights twinkle? What is this red tipped bulb? I really need twinkling lights…. can you help me? Short answer Yes, just replace one of the bulbs in your Christmas light string with a red-tipped bulb and that section of circuit will flash on and off! Long answer with photos Good…
How Long Do Battery Lights Last?
Wondering what to really expect from battery lights of different styles? This quick blog will give you the answer!
Oreo Truffles
Oreo Truffles are the hidden gem in our kitchen. With only 3 ingredients they are quick and easy. But with their decadent flavor, people never suspect how easy they are to make. Ingredients 1 15oz package of Oreos 1 8oz package of cream cheese 1 16 oz package of melting chocolate parchment paper optional –…
Cheese Herb Snacks
Need an idea for quick party food? Add this fun recipe to your list of things to do before the party so you and your guests can enjoy the game without standing in the kitchen. These happy crackers work great for a shower or adult birthday party. They’re lovely with a glass of lemonade or…