Winter Snow Globe

 

The snow globe, miniature lights, and fake snow are all from Dollar Tree. (These items are all seasonal and can only be purchased during the holiday season.) The top picture is a view from the side and the second picture is a view from the top. The Carolers are an unbranded die set and the poinsettia and branches are from a Spellbinders set I've had for many years.

Let's make it: 

1-    The globe itself has the outer twist lid as well as an inner plastic stopper. To drill the hole, insert the stopper as far as it will go. Twist the cap on, but not too tight, just snug.

2-    Choose a place (consider it the back) to drill the holes. The bulb seams should be on the sides. Using an electric drill and starting with a very small drill bit, begin drilling the hole through the twist cap, stopper and bulb. Be sure to drill slowly and straight in. You don't want to drill up into the stopper or down into the cap. If you try to drill one large hole without starting with small bits, you risk the bit wandering and will most likely break/crack the lid, stopper and bulb.

3     Gradually enlarge the hole incrementally with larger drill bits, until it is just large enough to insert the string of lights.

4-    Carefully twist off the cap and remove the stopper. Clip off or file any bits of plastic around the holes.

5-    Bearing in mind where the front of the globe is, decorate the top of the stopper. A hot glue gun or regular craft glue can be used. I've used both without any issue.

Since I used die cuts, I cut a couple of very small strips of cardstock (about 1/4 inch wide x 1/2 inch long), glued them together at the top of the strips, leaving the bottom unglued. Then glue the glued part of the strips to the back of the die cut figures and split the strips into an upside down "T". You can then glue the split "T" onto the top of the stopper (this will be covered with the fake snow). It is sturdy enough and will hold the figures in place. Space your items so they can be seen. I didn't do such a great job. But, live and learn.

6-    Once the glue has dried, place a small, and I do mean small amount, (about a slightly rounded Tablespoon) of the fake snow into the top of the bulb. Line up the holes in the back and carefully push the stopper into the bulb and make you have just the right amount of snow to cover the top of the stopper. Too much or too little? Simply (carefully) remove the stopper and adjust the amount of snow. Once you are satisfied with the amount of snow, make sure the stopper hole and the cap hole line up with the hole in the bulb.

7-    The string of lights I purchased from Dollar Tree are the miniatures. They only have 10 lights on the string and are operated with 2 AA batteries. The lights come in various colors. Clear, red, blue, green and yellow (Christmas colors). You may be able to get other colors, i.e. orange, and purple when Halloween season roles around.

8-    Carefully feed the string of lights into the hole one at a time. I had to flip each light the opposite direction in order to feed them into the hole. Bear in mind that once you start feeding the lights into the hole you will not be able to remove them. And you won't be able to twist off the cap.

9-    I used my Spellbinders Poinsettia die set to decorate the top of the globe and adhered using a hot glue gun. Decorate around the cap as desired. (I hadn't decorated the cap at the time I took the pictures.)

10-    Carefully settle the fake snow into place, turn on the lights and enjoy. The lights put off a soft glow. But you can also place the globe in the window during the day. These make great little party favors for friends and family during the holidays. And are great make and takes for older kids. I would predrill the holes and let them enjoy decorating.