From Kitchen to Christmas Magic: A Cutting Board Transformation

Have you ever wondered how to turn something as simple as a wooden cutting board into a magical Christmas village scene? This project is both functional and decorative—perfect for holiday entertaining or gifting.

In today’s tutorial, our talented crafting friend Donna from Mason Creations etc. shows us how to transform a plain board into a snowy winter wonderland. The techniques she shares are perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike.

Watch the video below to see the process in action.

Step 1 – Prepare Your Board

Donna begins with a sturdy wooden cutting board. To keep the back food-safe, she applies Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish to create a barrier before painting only the front. Once dry, she adds two coats of Dixie Belle Cotton Chalk Paint for a crisp, white base.

Step 2 – Create the Winter Sky and Village

For the background, Donna chooses a stormy rice paper sky and pairs it with a snowy Christmas village rice paper. By tearing the edges with a water brush, the papers blend seamlessly. She applies Polyvine Decorators Varnish over the top of the papers, letting the varnish soak through for a smooth adhesion and crystal-clear finish.

Step 3 – Mold and Shape Embellishments

To bring the village to life, Donna makes embellishments using Das clay and Cream Paste in silicone molds. Freezing the clay first makes it easy to pop delicate pieces out without breaking. While still flexible, the embellishments are glued down with tacky glue so they dry perfectly against the board’s surface.

Step 4 – Add Color and Detail

Using Pentart paints in festive shades of red, green, gold, silver, and black, Donna paints bows, holly, Christmas trees, and even a cheerful snowman. A touch of shading and dry brushing adds depth, making the molded designs stand out beautifully.

Step 5 – Let It Snow

To capture the magic of winter, she applies True Snow medium with a palette knife across rooftops, ledges, and the base of the board. The result? Freshly fallen snow that looks wonderfully real. A touch of Polyvine Glitter Paint Maker in the varnish adds sparkle to the snowflakes, while Metallic Wax Rub in White Pearl highlights embellishments with a shimmering finish.

Step 6 – Seal and Finish

For durability and shine, Donna coats the entire surface with Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish. This ensures a food-safe, heat- and moisture-resistant finish. She tops it off with a removable ribbon bow around the handle—making this piece ready for holiday serving or display.

This stunning transformation turns an everyday cutting board into a keepsake-worthy Christmas centerpiece.

✨ A special thank you to Donna at Mason Creations etc. for sharing her creativity and expertise with our crafting community.

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