A Rustic Christmas Chapel Window You Can Make at Home
Would you believe a plain MDF cutout could become a snowy Christmas chapel window? With just a few mixed media techniques, you can create a vintage-style holiday piece that looks like it’s been passed down for generations.
Our friend Donna from Mason Creations etc. shows us how to transform a flat surface into a frosty, dimensional holiday treasure.
Watch the video below to follow along step by step.
Step 1 – Prep the Base
The MDF cutout comes in two pieces for a layered 3D effect. Donna paints the back with Dixie Belle Cotton Chalk Paint to create a bright surface for the chapel rice paper, ensuring the design stays vibrant. The frame is painted in Pentart Light Brown with added Country Green paint mixed with Pentart 3D Powder for a rustic, textured look.
Step 2 – Create an Antique Finish
To give the frame an aged character, Donna spreads crackle paste across it. Thick areas form large cracks, thin layers form tiny ones—perfect for a weathered, vintage vibe. Once dry, the surface is sealed with Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish to secure the lifted chips without adding shine.
Step 3 – Decoupage the Chapel Scene
Donna carefully pieces the Christmas chapel rice paper to fit the window cutout, making her cuts along the wood design so seams are invisible. Using Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish as both glue and sealer, she adheres the paper in sections for smooth placement. A few light sandings and extra coats of varnish create a flawless finish.
Step 4 – Add Depth with Antiquing
To bring dimension to the window frame, Donna brushes Pentart Umber Antique Paste around the edges, wiping back the excess for subtle shading. This simple step gives the chapel depth and makes the design pop.
Step 5 – Finishing Details
The frame is highlighted with Redesign Eternal Gold Wax, adding a subtle metallic shimmer. Donna then uses her Bowdabra tool to make layered bows and adds greenery, frosty gold berries, and a sparkling poinsettia-style button to the center. Finally, True Snow medium is brushed along the frame for a frosted holiday effect.
The finished project is a snowy, glowing Christmas chapel window—a stunning handmade decoration that looks like it came straight from a winter village.
✨ A special thank-you to Donna at Mason Creations etc. for sharing her inspiring creativity.
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