Vintage Christmas Elegance: DIY Heart Ornament Tutorial

Ever wished you could make a vintage-style ornament that looks like it came from a boutique? In this step-by-step project, you’ll learn how to turn a plain MDF heart shape into a dazzling layered ornament with a charming bird, crackled finish, and elegant gold details.

Our talented crafting friend Donna from Mason Creations etc. walks us through this timeless holiday project that combines decoupage, foil, clay, and a hint of sparkle.

Watch the video below to follow along.

Step 1 – Prep the MDF Heart

Donna starts with a two-layer MDF heart shape and paints both pieces using Dixie Belle Cotton Chalk Paint. The solid back layer is painted on both sides to prepare for decoupage, while the open top layer is painted on the front only.

Step 2 – Perfect Decoupage Placement

Donna uses a beautiful bird rice paper design, tracing and cutting it to fit perfectly inside the heart opening. She applies Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish as adhesive—her go-to for fast-drying, crystal-clear decoupage—and seals both sides of the bottom layer.

Step 3 – Add Texture and Tone

The top frame gets a blended paint finish using Dixie Belle Drop Cloth and Pentart Hazelnut, misted with water and dabbed with a sponge for a soft, mottled look. Once dry, she shades the edges with brown ink for a delicate, aged effect.

Step 4 – Add Glitter Foil Snowflakes

To bring shimmer to the matte surface, Donna uses a snowflake stencil and Decofoil Transfer Gel. After it dries clear and tacky, she presses on gold glitter foil sheets, creating radiant snowflakes that catch the light beautifully.

Step 5 – Assemble the Layers

A tassel is placed between the heart layers before gluing them together with Aleene’s Tacky Glue. The layered design adds depth, while the tassel gives it a classic vintage charm.

Step 6 – Crackle Finish and Antiquing

For an aged, porcelain effect, Donna applies Pentart Fineline Crackle Varnish (two-part system), followed by gold antique paste to highlight the cracks. The result is a subtle, golden network of fine cracks that mimic time-worn elegance.

Step 7 – Regal Crown and Finishing Touches

Using Das clay, Donna molds a tiny crown, paints it gold with Pentart paint, and adds ruby-like gems before sealing it with varnish. She glues a gold ball-chain trim around the edges, adds Eternal gold wax for shimmer, and finishes with a layered bow made from fabric strips and ribbon greenery using her Bowdabra tool.

The finished ornament looks like an heirloom piece—shiny, aged, and utterly elegant. With its combination of crackle, foil, and clay details, this heart-shaped creation will shine on any Christmas tree or make a treasured handmade gift.

✨ A big thank-you to Donna at Mason Creations etc. for another beautiful and inspiring Christmas project!

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