How to Make Holiday Glass Blocks with Window Cling

DIY Holiday Glass Blocks with Window Cling

These holiday glass blocks with lights make an easy way to decorate for the holidays using a multi-layer design and window cling material from Cricut. Follow this step-by-step tutorial to learn how to make your own holiday glass blocks project this holiday season.

Add warm winter glow and just the right amount of sparkle with these Holiday Glass Blocks.

These are made using my layered letter designs, glass blocks, and window cling.  Yep, that’s right I said window cling!

If you’re a fan of vinyl and haven’t tried window cling yet, head to your local craft store right now.  No, wait at least until the end of this tutorial. 

This material has become one of my favorites to work with.   It cuts just like vinyl and is just as fun to weed.

What I love most about this material is that you don’t have to commit to what you’re making!  Today it says NOEL and maybe next year I want it to say something else.  It’s so easy to remove them and reuse them.  I love it!

What's the Different Between Window Cling and Removable Vinyl?

Window cling is not the same as removable vinyl.  Removable vinyl is a strong adhesive and isn’t meant to be removed and reused.  Window cling is a non-adhesive material that’s meant to be reused and rearranged over and over.

Where Do I Buy Window Cling?

I use Cricut brand Window Cling and you can buy it at most craft stores or online on Amazon.

What Colors Does Window Cling Come In?

The colors for window cling are very limited.  Black, White, Frosted, Red, Green, and Orange.  I wish Circuit made it in more colors.

BUT WAIT, there's a workaround.  Did you know you can use window cling as the base and layer on permanent vinyl?  That way you have hundreds of different color choices!

What Surfaces Can I Put Window Cling On?

The window cling material can be used on most non-porous surfaces but today I’m using them on glass blocks.  The glass blocks have a removable stop that allows you to add decorative lighting, mini ornaments, flowers, you name it.

I'm Sold, How Do I Make the Holiday Glass Blocks?

Let me show you how to make holiday glass blocks in Cricut Design Space using my Holiday Layered Alphabet and layering window cling.

As mentioned above, you can also layer on permanent vinyl and which allows for so many more color options.

This can also be made using a Silhouette, Brother Scan n Cut, or another cutting machine.  Just choose the file type that works for your machine.  You can reference the 'How to use cut files' document included in the zip file to learn which file type is needed for your cutting machine.

This post contains some affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you). 

Materials & Supplies

• Holiday Layered Alphabet Cut Files
  • Purchase the whole alphabet here
  • Download NOEL for free here
• Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore, or another cutting machine
• Cricut Cutting Mat - LightGrip or StandardGrip
• Window Cling - (1 roll of each color if spelling Noel)
• Permanent Vinyl - (Instead of layering window cling you can also layer on Permanent Vinyl which will give you so many more color options.  Just keep the window cling material as your base)
• Weeding Tool
• Transfer Tape 
• Scissors
• Glass Blocks - Mini or Original
• Fairy Lights

Instructions

Follow these easy steps to make the Holiday Glass Blocks with Window Cling using Cricut Design Space.

Open Cricut Design Space and click the + to create a new project.

In the Design Panel on the left, select “Upload.”

Click Upload Image, then Browse, and navigate to the SVG files on your device to upload them to Cricut Design Space.  Here you can change the name and add tags. Click “Save.”

Once you have all of the files uploaded, select the designs and click “Insert Images” to bring them onto your canvas.  You can select more than one at a time.  

Each letter is originally 8 inches tall but the width varies for each letter.  Keep the width in mind as you resize them.  They should all be the same height but the height will be determined by the width of some of the letters.  

The design can be resized using the Edit Toolbar at the top of the page.  I resized mine to 4 inches tall so I could fit them on my KraftyBlok Min.

Resize the remaining letters.

Now you’re ready to cut it.  Click Make It in the upper-right hand corner and you’ll be taken to the prepare screen.

Here you’ll want to select your material size. The window cling comes in 12" x 48" roll and I cut mine down to 12" x. 12" pieces.  

Note:  You can mirror the design and place each layer on top of each other using the backing of the window cling by flipping it over.  I like to use transfer tape similar to using permanent vinyl so I can line up the layers better.  If you're using transfer tape you do not have to mirror.  Either way works.

Now it’s time to connect to your machine and select your material.

For this project, you'll want to use the Window Cling setting.  If you're using Permanent Vinyl for the top layers make sure you select Vinyl as your material setting. 

Weeding the Window Cling

After you cut the design, weed the letters using a weeding tool.  It weeds similar to vinyl.  

Window cling weeds similar to vinyl.  If any piece comes up just lightly pat it back in place.

Once you have all of the letters weeded use scissors to cut out each individual letter so you can layer them.

Assembling the Layered Letters

Cut a piece of transfer tape slightly bigger than the size of the letters.  Make sure you don't use transfer tape that is too sticky or you won't be able to get the letters off.

I love the Frisco Craft Transfer Tape because it has just the right amount of stickiness for my projects.  But even for this project, I rub the transfer tape on my shirt or pants before applying it to the letters.

Starting with the top layer, apply the transfer tape.  Then remove the backing from the window cling.

Next, apply the top layer to the second layer.  Then remove the backing from the window cling of the second layer.

Repeat until you have assembled all five layers.

If you're using permanent vinyl you would layer in the same exact way.  Just be really careful because permanent vinyl is very sticky and wants it touches another layer it's hard to get undone.  Go slow as you layer.

Applying the Window Cling to the Glass Blocks

Once you have all five layers of the letter, apply the layers to the glass block.

Slowly remove the transfer tape from the top layer.  Now that the letters are layered you can remove them and reuse them however you'd like.

Now let's make these glass blocks even more festive, shall we?  Fill the glass block with fairy lights, flowers, or even mini ornaments.

Here's a look at my finished NOEL Holiday Glass Blocks layering window cling.

Here's a look at the same project layering permanent vinyl on top of the window cling.  They both turned out great but you have so many more color options with the permanent vinyl.

This creates truly unique holiday home decor and can be displayed in entryways, on bookshelves, or even under the tree.  You’ll have so much fun making this one!

Ready to make your own?

DOWNLOAD THE  ‘FREE LAYERED LETTER NOEL’ CUT FILES HERE OR PURCHASE THE WHOLE HOLIDAY ALPHABET

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DIY Holiday Glass Blocks with Window Cling