How To Make An Unusual And Attractive Window

This tutorial for how to make an attractive window is unusual because it is made from foiled paper. I love the look of stained glass and Rinea Foiled Paper gives me the opportunity to do that simply and quickly. Follow along with the steps below to make your own shimmering decor!

~ Foiled Koi Window ~

 Step One: Print or draw a pattern for a stained glass window.

Choose a graceful image that can be broken into parts with simple lines. I chose a Koi fish. Pinterest and Google abound with free patterns for Stained Glass windows. I found it just as easy to draw my fish and sea weed on whiteboard paper. By using a dry-erase marker I could easily erase and re-draw till I got my lines just so.

 Step Two: Trace and Cut pattern from foiled paper.

I cut my Koi from Rinea Marigold Start Struck paper. The back fin is from Rinea Mocha Glossy paper and the sea weed strands are Rinea Emerald Star Struck paper. I added details to the fish and the fin with Rinea Ghost Ink. For the scattering of scales I used a quarter foil stencil. 

 Step Three:Cut window paper and adhere to backing.

My window is cut from a roll of Rinea Silver Star Struck paper. I used an 11"x14" piece of cardboard. I wanted my foil base to be rock solid AND I wanted to see the window frame without using lines or separate pieces. To get this look I used inch wide super sticky tape. 

 Getting the foiled paper onto the cardboard base without mistakes took steady hands and a good game plan. I cut my silver paper to 12"x15" size. With a 1/2 inch of playroom on each side I had a good chance of getting the cardboard covered even if it was a tad crooked. I rolled the foiled paper then laid it on the cardboard as straight as I could. I started at the top, rolling toward myself,  and pressing the paper into the adhesive as I went.  I folded the excess to the back of the cardboard.

 Step Four: Glue designs to window base.

I used Best Glue Ever and a No-Clog Writing Cap to be certain my glue went where I wanted it to and that my pieces stayed put! These ScraPerfect products always make my project a success.

 Step Five: Mix 1 part black acrylic paint to 3 parts all purpose glue for window leading.

The glue mixture is grey when wet. Remember to use a glue that dries clear. When it does you will have lovely, thick, black lines. I did not leave enough room in my squeeze bottle to shake the mixture and had to use a bamboo skewer to mix it. This made the process more difficult then it had to me. Just an FYI.

Step Six: Outline all joints and paper edges with leading mixture, leave to dry.  

  The leading proved to be my Achilles heel. I started with a craft blond glue and paint mixture. The craft bond was too thick and ran unevenly. I had to scrape off bits of leading and start over. I was so FRUSTRATED that I had to put my project aside for a day. I made a second mixture of Elmer's Glue-All and black acrylic paint. This ran smoothly. I tested it out to get the right line thickness and was back in business. 

To clean up the smears and glue overage I used Best Cleaner Ever. This eco-friendly solvent removed the dull patches on my foiled paper without damaging the paper or affecting the color.

Supplies:

Whiteboard Paper:DCWV
Foiled Paper and Ghost Ink:Rinea

Adhesive Tape:American Crafts

Glue, Solvent, Writing Cap:ScraPerfect

Acrylic Paint:Deco Art

All Purpose Glue:Elmer's

Stencil:Kite

Scrap On!

~charity~