DIY Wooden Building Window Toppers

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DIY Wooden Building Window Toppers

6/13/2017

Once upon a time my mom spotted something similar to these at a craft fair. Of course she came to me and asked if I would be able to make something like that for her for Mothers Day. And... of course I said yes! That was several years ago and since then I have made many different 'building' window frame toppers (pictures below) and have had many inquiries into how exactly I make them. I will tell you this, they take time but when it comes to making them with love for my mom, well I can't put a price tag on that!

In case you're not sure what a window topper is, it is a wooden design that is about 3/4" wide and sits on top of the window frame as a decoration. It could also go on top of a door frame and look just as good!

***Great way to repurpose old pine shelving!

Supplies Needed:

Wood: One of my favorite things about this project? I don't buy any wood! To date all the wood has been repurposed from old 1" x 8" pine shelving. That really works out to .75" thick x 7.5" high)which to this day still amazes me how the lumber industry gets away with this). It is important to know the actual size so that any sketches you make are accurate!
Pencil (and a design)
Ruler
Scroll Saw
Sandpaper
Craft paints in various colors (affiliate link)
Paint brushes (affiliate link)
Artist Drawing Pens in Bold and Medium (affiliate link)
Scrap Book Stickers and other miniature accessories as needed (optional)
Paper and Printer for signs
Double stick foam mounting tape
And a little Creativity!!

Check out this video of my latest building (2/6/18) on YouTube:

Pictorial HOW TO of
Barber Shop & Ice Cream Parlor:

Sketch the design onto the wood.

Use a scroll saw to cut along the outer line.

Two buildings completely cut.

Sand the edges a little bit.

Paint the back and sides of the building in the base color. The base color will be the main color of the building.

After the back dries, turn them over and paint the base color in the sketched areas. It doesn't have to be perfect!

After the base color dries, use a ruler and drawing pens to draw in the sketched lines. Now you want to try to be perfect!

Paint in some of the trim colors next.

Then add the black lines....

Add in a few other colors...and I think you are getting the idea now!

And then do the final edging lines!

Next you use some markers with different tip sizes to add details like shading, etc. The 'shine' on the window is simply some white paint.

I made some signs using MS Word and made sure they were the exact size I wanted. I used a template for 4x6 because the signs are printed on photo paper that usually comes free when we buy our printer ink!

Cut them out one at a time.

I use double sided tape to adhere each sign to a little piece of cardboard so they are sturdier/stiffer.

Cardboard is 'stuck' to back of sign.

Add a few pieces of double sided foam tape so when you put it on the building it has a little 'pop' to it.

Then carefully place it on the building where you want it!

Some signs just get double sided tape and are placed directly onto the building. I put the tape on before I cut them out so that there is no overhang.