How To Make An Old window Christmas Decoration
Repurposing an old window into a Christmas Mirror Decoration
Earlier on in the year, a friend had a load of new windows put in her house and I managed to rescue the old Victorian sashes she replaced before they went to the dump. One of them I turned into this fabulous old window Christmas decoration.
This is not just any old window Christmas decoration it also doubles up as a mirror for my mantle during the festive season.
There are many lovely words that you just associate with Christmas. I love to use these words in my Christmas crafting projects. Last year I make some giant felt Fa La La letters. For this year's upcycled Christmas decoration Jingle was my Christmas word of choice. Every time, I hear the word "Jingle" I think of Christmas in a lovely nostalgic way!
Come the first of December I swap my normal mantle mirror for this old window Christmas Decoration. It's a Christmas sign, mirror, and place to hang ornaments all wrapped into one.
As well as the windows you can upcycle the curtain fixings into Christmas decorations too, like with these Boho wooden ornaments.
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What I Used for my Old Window Christmas Decoration
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- Old Window or old glass picture frame - Keep a lookout for these you can often pick them up for free from a skip.
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- Fine paint brush
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- Masking tape
How to Make an Old Window Christmas Decoration
Painting on the words
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- If your frame is looking a bit too new you can easily age it. Sanding and chipping off some of the paint and then rubbing the frame with a dark furniture wax helps to achieve that shabby look.
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- To start with download and print out the "Jingle" template here. Depending on the size of your window resize the wording to fit.The font I used was far too big to fit on one piece of A4 paper. Therefore, I printed the template one bit at a time, onto several pages. Print your Christmas word out as a mirror image. If you go into advanced options on the print setup page, you should be able to tick a mirror image option.
I painted onto the back of the window (hence the mirror image). Therefore, stick the printed template onto the front of the window so that you can read the letters on the other side.
- To start with download and print out the "Jingle" template here. Depending on the size of your window resize the wording to fit.The font I used was far too big to fit on one piece of A4 paper. Therefore, I printed the template one bit at a time, onto several pages. Print your Christmas word out as a mirror image. If you go into advanced options on the print setup page, you should be able to tick a mirror image option.
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- Using your template as a guide paint the Christmas words onto the back of your window. I painted 3 coats, letting each coat dry in between.
- Using your template as a guide paint the Christmas words onto the back of your window. I painted 3 coats, letting each coat dry in between.
Creating the mirror effect
- When you have finished painting remove your paper template. Cover the back frame of the painted window in masking tape. Lay the window down flat onto newspapers. Either outside or in a very well ventilated room.Then following the instructions on the can, spray the back of the window with the some mirror spray paint. I shook my can of paint well, sprayed from a height of 20-30cm and did about 4 coats of paint. Waiting a couple of minutes between each coat.
- The mirror spray paint creates a lovely antique mirror effect which looks great with the old window as it adds to that lovely vintage look. To finish off I added some brass cup hooks to the bottom of the window. This enabled me to hang Christmas vintage baubles and bells on the mirror window.
What are your favourite Christmas words? Mine are "Fa La La", "Jingle" and "Ho Ho Ho".
China plates can also be upcycled with paint like these doily painted plates.
If you like this window transformation you may want to check out my others:
Upcycled window herb garden
Happy Hour Upcycled Window
I also have some more upcycled Christmas decoration ideas.
Sweater Upcycled Christmas Ornaments
Upcycled Christmas Shuttlecock (Birdie) Angel Wings
Fabulous upcycled felt garland
Love it! Recycling is the best! Going to share this on our Facebook and Pin it! Rhonda
Thank you, look forward to seeing it.
What a beautiful idea - Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW's DIY party - and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Thank you very much Helen.
Oh Claire, I love this SO MUCH! I have an old window leaning on our mantel, but it is plain. I am inspired to create a Christmas themed window for the season, I just need to find another window! 🙂 Thank you so much for participating in the T2T blog hop! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Thank you so much .Kimm. Hopefully you'll find another window.
I love old windows, I wish I had so many! Your christmas window is so beautiful, love the easy transformation and the greenery around it too!
Thanks, the verigated ivy was from the garden.
Claire, I can't even tell you how cool this is! Oh my...I just really love the creativity you have that inspired this project. Now you have my mind spinning as to all the great take-offs of this project.
Thanks for the inspiration my friend!
Hugs, Lynn
Thank you very much Lynn.
This post caught my eye b/c hubby was just telling me this week he wanted to get rid of some newer old windows I picked up on the curb a while back. Just waiting for inspiration, ya know?? Now I've got it with your Christmas window. I totally love the project. Pinning for later. Thanks!
Thank you very much. Good luck with your window.
This reminds me of a client I had that wanted a personalized bar mirror. The techniques shown here would totally work for making one of your own. Love the final project!
Thank you Debbie. It too reminded me of the mirrors you get in pubs but usually with a whisky advert and not a Christmas saying.
Oh my goodness!! I love this!! That old mirror effect from the paint is amazing!!!
Thanks Anika, the mirror effect paint is fun.
Oh Claire! I LOVE your repurposed window!! Such a great cheerful Christmas project! I have a window project going on at the moment and would have never have thought to use mirror spray! Brilliant idea!!
Thank you, can't wait to see your window.
I love this!!! Now I need to go find some more old windows!
Thank you.
Sarah, your Christmas window is adorable! Love the mirror effect!
Thank you.
I LOVE a good mirror effects project, that spray is amazing!!! Your window turned out great!
Thank you Susanne.
I just love this! It's so festive and beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful idea.
Thank you very much.
Oh my goodness - this turned out so great! I love the "old mirror" effect you got with the spray paint!! And the chippyness of the paint is glorious!
Thanks Sarah, I like the antique effect too.
Your mantle is delightful. Fun, light, and airy are all words that come to mind while I was gazing at it.
Beautiful re-purpose of an old window.
Lisa
Thank you Lisa, I can't resist an old window