Old Window Pane Wall Decor
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One of my readers and old classmates, Danielle, contacted me a few months ago about helping her create a wedding present for her soon to be husband, Josh. Danielle had found a picture of a decor item she wanted to make on Pinterest, but it was only the picture, there was no tutorial. She asked me if my crafty know-how could assist her in making something similar. They just got married in June, so as soon as Danielle got the wedding photos back, we got to work. Now I’m happy to share with all of you the tutorial on how to make this window pane wall decor to display your photographs and write on glass.
This is the photo Danielle wanted me to emulate.
Paint Window Color
Before picture
After sanding off the loose paint and scraping out the old caulking
**CAUTION** If you are sanding old windows, test for lead paint first. Sanding lead paint is toxic and can cause health problems!
We used green frog tape
to cover the glass pane with newspaper to protect it from the painting process. This also ensured we got a straight paint line on the wooden frame.
Attach Hanging Hardware
to replace the stuff we had chipped out earlier. This ensures the window glass stays in its frame. Learn how to fully refurbish an old window here. Then we nailed two picture frame hanging hardware
to the back of the window frame for displaying our finished project on a wall.
New Caulking & Hardware
Trace & Paint Words for Quote
and small paint brushes to trace the words on backward (so it would display the correct way). This method took patience and a good length of time. The quote was from the Bible, “I have found the one whom my soul loves” Song of Solomon 3:4.When doing this project again later, I found a great shortcut to make more professional looking writing! Buy this inexpensive window marker to trace your words on the back of the window.
When you are done tracing your design, simply flip it over and wipe off the dry erase marker.
Attach Photographs
. Although, I think this adhesive left a slight fogginess to the photos. If you want to make this project, you should buy an adhesive made for attaching photographs so that the photo quality isn’t disturbed by the glue.
Here is the finished Window Pane Wall Decor…
…turned into this!?
This was a great opportunity Danielle gave me to help her with something so special to her heart. Congratulations to Danielle and Josh on their marriage! I know I’m wishing them all the happiness of a long life together and hoping this wedding present on their wall will be a constant reminder of the love they share.
Your a young woman like my old heart. Keep up the good work both family and hobbies.
Aw thank you Kathy!
When you attached the burlap with mod podge, did it dry clear? Or was it hazy/white?
Tonya,
I’m assuming you meant photograph, not burlap. Yes the mod podge dried a little hazy white, as you can see in the picture. My classmate who I was making this with didn’t seem to mind, but I think if I were doing this project for myself, I would use an adhesive made for photographs. Thanks for leaving your question!
I guess I’m just going to comment on every post! I love this project! It’s one of my favorite scriptures paired with reclaimed goodnesss. Fave x 2!! Have to say, though, I was loving that window after it was scraped before it was painted white. Not every one goes for grunge, though! Love it!
Thank you! I kind of liked the chippy green paint, too.
I seen in a previous post that you used chalk paint pens. Are these permanent or does it come off easily? I’d like something a little more permanent.
If you’re looking for something permanent to write on glass, Sharpie paint pens are the perfect thing. The only thing is, allow dry time and be careful not to smudge! The oil based ones are going to be the most permanent – here’s an affiliate link to my favorite pack of metallic Sharpie paint pens: http://amzn.to/2gKltMi. Otherwise, if you decide you do want something you can redo seasonally, the white window marker I used in my video you saw is this one: http://amzn.to/2zfyicA. While this window marker is temporary, it won’t wipe off easily because you will be displaying the side with the writing behind the glass, against the wall.
Best of luck to you with this craft!
Melissa
I was saddened to read that you sanded the old green paint. If that window was painted before 1978, it likely had lead in it. Open sanding is the most dangerous method for paint stripping with lead paint. It spreads invisible lead dust everywhere. This toxic dust is easily inhaled by all or ingested by crawling kids putting their hands in their mouths. It can cause irreversible nervous system and brain damage. For such a small stripping project, use non-toxic, “green” chemical strippers. Read http://www.epa.gov/lead for details. PLEASE, PLEASE add a correction to your DIY article on this project.
I will add a caution about lead paint Catherine, thank you for your concern!
Melissa
On the Thankful Grateful Blessed window pane, what size was the window pane? Love this .
Approximately 3.5 feet by 2 feet. 🙂 thanks for commenting!
Great to know about the lead paint hopefully it did you no harm in sanding. I learned the hard way I’ve always redone things also worked cosmetology. I live in a house built 1947 thinking my bad was pulling, scraping asbestos tile up so I could tile the floor of our cottage * didn’t know 🤷🏼♀️. Realtor said it had been inspected that I could not inspect it again….uh that’s a lie. Happy redoing to you! ❤️