Window paint craft tip: You can use either liquid or gel food coloring, however liquid will be slightly easier to control the amount added. Don’t worry if the color in the bowl looks really bright, or too dark. Once the kids start painting with it, it will actually be much lighter.
Holiday Window Painting Made Easy
Don’t you always find holiday window painting so charming? Especially in white? I’ve always wanted to do it in my home for Christmas, but it always seemed so involved. I thought it would require someone with more special skills than I and paint, ugh! Well, this year, a bunch of serendipitous circumstances made it all come together for me. As you can see, I did it! Today, I’m sharing some tricks, a new book, and tools that made it completely EASY!
I have had the package of the fabulous chalk markers from Chalkola that I used for the drawing since before we moved to Denver! I was supposed to post about them, but I never quite got to it. Then, last month I was contacted by Workman Publishing to share this brand new book, The Complete Book of Chalk Lettering by Valerie McKeehan. Bingo! The markers, the book, Christmas, it all came together. I am so thrilled to be a part of Valerie’s book tour. I also have a copy of the book to give away. Leave a comment by Wednesday for a chance to win!
THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. LIV YOU ARE MY WINNER! CONGRATULATIONS!
This is my first go at holiday window painting. I haven’t done a lot of hand lettering in my life either. I tend to think my hand writing is pretty poor so I avoid lettering in general. Using Valerie’s easy step by step directions, it looked passable so quickly, I was surprised! I started with a few practice attempts to get used to the process and the markers.
Then, I drew my design on paper and started to build it piece by piece. I show you the basic steps I took below, but everything you see here is described in detail in the book: the basics, the letters, the shading, the embellishments, design suggestions and more. The book is full of ideas, as well as being super clear and helpful in showing just how to make the whole thing come together.
Valerie shows so many wonderful details and embellishments it was easy to make it look fun and festive! I took a shot of the finished window at night, too, so you can see it clearly. So happy with this!
The book and the markers made holiday window painting a breeze! Honestly, I promise you it’s more simple than it looks. My husband came in from running errands and said “That looks like a professional did it!” Hah! gotta love that! The kids and I made an afternoon of it. We each got a window, I passed out the markers and we went to town. Using these markers on windows is a great activity for the kids any time of the year! I love Allie’s Santa Claus.
I know I will use the book for a lot more than for chalk boards, too. The lettering and designs were super fun to do and apply to any hand lettering! I’m going to start practicing more in a sketch book. Go get this book!
Holiday Window Painting How To
:: Make the double banner ribbon (book shows you exactly how!)
:: Add simple block letters, “So” and “Very” for your words.
:: Thicken letters and enhance with shadow, (add shadow lines to the right and below the lines of your letters).
:: Write “Merry” in script (book has sample fonts) on a curve (write on a guide line and then erase). Thicken all the down strokes. Leave the up strokes thin. This is brilliant! Am I the only one that didn’t know this?
:: Add a shadow to the script word Merry.
:: Add snowflakes ( a plethora of samples in the book) and pine laurel with berries.
Voila!
Want to see what other lovely folks have done with Valerie’s book? Check out the blog tour!
Homemade Washable Window Paint
This homemade window paint is so much fun for kids of all ages. Let them paint on your patio glass doors, a window, or give them an old mirror frame as we did. This is an inexpensive craft too especially if you already have clear school glue, clear dishwashing liquid, and food color at home.
Related: DIY bathtub paint
We are going to use three basic ingredients to make homemade window paint. Plus, we have a really cool idea if you don’t like the idea of your house windows being painted.
How to make window paint for kids
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Supplies needed to make homemade window paint
- 2 tbsp clear school glue
- 1 tsp clear dish soap
- Food coloring in assorted colors
You will also need containers, craft sticks for mixing the colors, paintbrushes, and a window for painting.
