Lighted Christmas Tree Canvas

Updated on August 20, 2024

Lighted Christmas Tree Canvas. Create a festive, lighted display using the Cricut Explore Air 2 machine and the Design Space app.

Are you decorating for the holidays yet? I had all my decorations out this year before December 1st, including the outside lights!

This almost never happens! Each year, I like to create new pieces to display in our home. I had an idea to create a lighted Christmas tree canvas using my Cricut Explore.

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Supplies:

• Cricut Machine
• Cutting Mat
• Adhesive Foil
• Glitter Forest Iron-On (recommended) or Glitter Vinyl Green
• Transfer Tape
• Weeding Tool
• X-Acto Knife
• Battery Powered Light Strand
• 12 x 12 Canvas

I started with a 12-inch x 12-inch canvas that I purchased from Michaels.

Cricut Design Space File – Lighted Christmas Canvas

I designed my layout in Cricut Design Space™. I started with a white square that is 12 x 12 inches.

Then, I added the merry and bright lettering and a tree.

To get a feel for the placement of where the 20 lights would go, I added little stars to my Christmas tree design. I welded all 20 stars together and then attached them to the tree so they would cut together. 

Cricut Design Space File: Lighted Christmas Tree Canvas

Cut Out Iron On

Once I figured out the design, I started cutting out my design. There is a custom setting on the Smart Set Dial for both adhesive foil and glitter vinyl. The design cut out the adhesive foil first.

Then, I cut out the adhesive vinyl.

Note: If I were to do this project again, I would use glitter iron-on instead of glitter vinyl. The vinyl had a hard time sticking to the canvas, so I had to add some adhesive around the edges after I applied it to the canvas.

Weed Iron On

Weed out all the excess stars from your tree shape. Using the weeding tool can be helpful.

I used the design on my app to help me figure out where all the stars were on the design since they can be a little hard to see on the glitter vinyl.

I saved all those little stars that I weeded out on the sides. I’m not sure what I’m going to use them for, but they were so cute and sparkly!

Add Design to Canvas

I added the tree to the canvas by carefully peeling it from the backing and laying it on. You could use transfer tape, but for an oversized shape like this, it isn’t too hard to do it without it.

Next, weed all the excess from your adhesive foil letters.

I used transfer tape for this detailed design. If you try to transfer a design like this by hand, the pieces will often stick together, ruining your piece.

Start by applying a piece of transfer tape over the entire design. Use your scraper tool or a popsicle stick to transfer the design from the backing to the transfer tape.

Peel the design from the backing.

Line up your design on the corner of the canvas. The clear transfer tape makes it easy to line everything up perfectly.

Then, using a popsicle stick or your scraper, go over the entire design to transfer it from the tape to the canvas. When you peel off the transfer tape, go slow. Use your scraper, as needed, to be sure your design is on the canvas.

Note: Place a book underneath the corner of the canvas inside the frame while rubbing the design onto it. This helps transfer the design without the canvas shifting.

Cut Holes for Lights

Using an X-Acto knife, cut x’s inside each star shape. This will allow you to push the lights up from the back side of the canvas without ripping your design.

I taped the battery pack using painter’s tape so that I could remove it when the batteries needed to be replaced or taken out for storage.

I love the way this canvas turned out! The Cricut makes it easy to cut out many different types of materials. This was my first time using the adhesive foil, and I love it! It has such a pretty shine in person.

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