Use Mod Podge to make your own DIY window clings on a budget – these gel window clings are so easy, and a great kids’ craft! (See the end of this post for a video on how to make DIY window clings using food coloring!)
Skills Required: Beginner. You can make these gel window clings with just a few supplies and no prior crafting knowledge.
I really think you are going to like this post. I’m not just fancying myself, I really do. It was a fun to use Mod Podge for something other than gluing down items. This is one of those easy crafts for kids that adults are going to enjoy as well.
Instead I made DIY window clings that you can put on any vase or in any window! Since the time I originally did this post, I have made these over and over again with my nieces. We really enjoy it as a summer craft or boredom buster. They are a hit each and every time!
How to Make Gel Window Clings
The biggest secret to these gel window clings is making sure that you have a non-stick surface to create them on. I used Gallery Glass leading blanks, but those aren’t necessarily easy to find.
I’ve also seen people use silicone mats, wax paper, and clear page protectors. You can try these window clings on a variety of non-stick surfaces and see if they work.
The supplies are so minimal, I had everything lying around the house. Can you say budget crafting at its finest? I hope you’ll make many and stick them all over everything. I highly recommend it. Here’s how they are made.
DIY Gel Window Stickers
Gather These Supplies
- Mod Podge Gloss
- FolkArt or Apple Barrel paint in your choice of colors
- Gallery Glass Leading Blanks – or other non-stick surface
- Hole punch, die cutter, craft knife – something to cut shapes with
- Paintbrush
- Palette knife or spreader
- Scraper
Lay your leading blank (or page protector, etc) down on a surface. Pour some Mod Podge onto your leading blank. This is not a very scientific method, and by “not very” I mean not at all.
Squeeze some paint (used Apple Barrel Parakeet) into the Mod Podge. Stir it around with a brush.
Note: You can do the mixing in a bowl instead of directly on the blanks, and then pour onto your surface. I just didn’t want to waste containers.
Spread the Mod Podge out onto the leading blank. I found it was easiest with a palette knife – you can do this with a plastic knife as well.
Look mom, I’m doing Snow White and Black too! I’m on a roll!
Let your Mod Podge/paint mess (a mess that is going to become gel window clings) dry overnight. Look at the green (that is several greens together). How fun, right?
Use a scrapey-doo tool to lift the Mod Podge/paint off of the leading blank. It will peel right off!
Here are some glass votives. These are going to look different in a minute.
There are three methods for cutting your Mod Podge/paint clings. Craft knife is the first – although I learned a big lesson. Peel the Mod Podge/paint OFF of the leading blank before cutting it, or you will cut the leading blank. You can cut on a craft mat with your craft knife.
You can also cut with scissors as well.
Another method is a hole punch. It makes great polka dots, snow, and Christmas ornaments.
Die cutter . . . can you believe this works? I rolled this stuff right through my Sizzix Big Shot and it cut like a dream!! This is how I decorated the vase in the large photo.
Apply the cut shapes to the glass with your fingers. If you are having trouble with the sticking, either exhale onto your cling shape or heat slightly with a hair dryer.
Check out the holiday DIY window clings I did – Christmas lights with snow, and then a Christmas tree with hole punched ornaments. I’m picturing Mod Podge clings all over Mod Podge Command Central, so that it looks like a circus rather than a place to live. I had a blast doing it – what do you think?
Now for a video! Learn how to do this gel window clings craft with food coloring and a similar technique. Just press “PLAY” in the center of the video on this post.
DIY Window Clings
Equipment
- Hole punch, die cutter, cookie cutter, or craft knife – something to cut shapes with
- Palette knife or spreader
- Scraper
Materials
- Mod Podge Gloss
- Apple Barrel paint in your choice of colors
- Gallery Glass Leading Blanks – or silicone mat non-stick surface
Instructions
- There are two methods for making your window clings.
- Method 1
- Mix Mod Podge with a few drops of acrylic paint (in a container or on your mat) until desired color is achieved.
- Spread the Mod Podge mixture across the mat in a thin medium layer and allow to dry.
- Use a die cutter, scissors, or cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the Mod Podge material.
- Exhale on your clings or warm them in your hands and then stick to glass or mirrored surfaces.
- Method 2
- Mix Mod Podge with a few drops of food coloring in a bottle. Shake.
- Place cookie cutters on a silicone mat.
- Squeeze the Mod Podge mixture into the cookie cutters until you have a thin-medium layer across the bottom (completely filling the cookie cutters).
- Let dry on the mat for 24 hours. Do not remove the cookie cutters.
- Once the clings are dry, pop them out of the cookie cutters.
- Exhale on your clings or warm them in your hands and then stick to glass or mirrored surfaces.
Video
Notes
If you enjoyed these window clings, I hope you’ll check out these other ideas:
Kristy
Saturday 6th of August 2022
I need the opposite! I have window clings that I have no idea what to do with but I love decoupage, scrapbooking, etc. I do not own a cricut but I do own a printer and a knife. I am going to attempt to modge podge over my window cling, first on a piece of glass then I will try wood. I have crayola cling art clear film, 7 sheets.
Amy
Wednesday 31st of August 2022
Hmmm . . . since window clings are plastic-y (and not made of Mod Podge and paint), it's hard to say. You could give it a try and see how it works out! But I have never tried this particular art clear film.
Martha l
Saturday 25th of January 2014
Looks very fun! Are the clings removable or do they become permanent wherever you put them?
Amy
Saturday 25th of January 2014
They are removable! Though if you leave them for a LONG time, they become dry and break when you pull them off.
Jerry
Saturday 26th of October 2013
Hmm I would like to try using alcohol inks instead of paint. Since it is semitransparent maybe I could achieve a stained glass look.
Brittany W
Tuesday 11th of June 2013
Could you just put the MP on wax paper? Would it peel off the same?
Amy
Tuesday 11th of June 2013
Hi Brittany! I'm not sure but it's worth a try!
joy
Saturday 19th of January 2013
looove this...planning what i can make for my grandchildren to play with on my patio door. they were thrilled with the Christmas ones i had, bought, taking them off and on and playing forever with them. shapes, letters, faces....oh the ideas!!!! thank you. just found your site... loove