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DIY Snow Globe Ornament

See how easy it is to make this super fun glitter shaker ornament! A DIY snow globe ornament that the kids can play with safely, with a personalized photo. #diysnowglobe #diychristmasornament #christmasornamenttutorial

I’m super excited with how this DIY Snow Globe Ornament turned out, my kids love shaking the “snow” around and I think it looks lovely hanging on the tree!

I spotted this paper version of a snow globe embroidery hoop from Popper and Mimi a while back and stored it in my brain for inspiration. My kids can be rough with, well everything, so I knew that using a paper photograph on the back would just end up getting poked through. Working off of that idea, I made a super sturdy, kid safe shaker ornament that can be played with and still last several years! DIY Christmas ornaments with personalized photos are my favorite, it’s so much fun to pull them out once a year and see how little the kids were.

If you’re looking for more DIY Christmas ornament tutorials, check out my whole list here!

I was worried about the glitter “sticking” but it wiggles around just fine! How much fun is that?

If I could go back in time, I’d make it so our tree was full of 100% kid friendly ornaments like this one, instead of setting up a gate around it.

It really looks like a snow flurry with the glitter all around, and it might be the closest to snow we will get since it is 60 degrees out as I type up this tutorial.

I should note that these aren’t my adorable children, but a friend’s, so I’ll surely be making more of these with my own pictures! I am loving these little embroidery hoops for ornaments, you can see what I’ve made with them so far: an embroidered snowflake and an embroidered family portrait. Want to make your own?

Pin this tutorial for later with this image and link:

See how easy it is to make this super fun glitter shaker ornament! A DIY snow globe ornament that the kids can play with safely, with a personalized photo. #diysnowglobe #diychristmasornament #christmasornamenttutorial

How to make a DIY Snow Globe Ornament

Supplies

Steps

Step 1- You’ll want to edit your photo into a size that has the portion you’d like visible roughly 4.44″ high and wide (400 pixels), there needs to be approximately 6″ of a square, leaving enough material to tuck up and glue, but the 4.44″ circle is what will be visible; I digitally edited my photo into a circle that size using Picmonkey but you could also resize it and print it as a square easily. Print on an inkjet printer, and peel off the backing.

Step 2-Apply the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the photo fabric, following the packaging’s instructions

Step 3- Use the inner circle from the embroidery hoop to trace around on the vinyl. Use scissors to cut out the circle around the inside edge, cutting off all of your black line.

Step 4- Use E600 or other craft glue to adhere the circle to the embroidery hoop. Let dry.

Step 5- Lay your clear-covered hoop on top of your picture fabric. Trim around the edges, leaving roughly 1/2″ around all sides. You’re then going to pull the fabric up in tucks, hot gluing it to the outer edge of the embroidery hoop. Stop to leave a small gap at the top and pour the glitter in, then close the rest of the fabric around. Trim any fabric sticking up above the edge.

Step 6-Use the outer circle to trace and cut out a larger felt circle and hot glue it on the back, adding some security and a clean background behind the photo.

Step 7- Squeeze the outer circle over the inner circle and tighten. Use hot glue to glue the ric rac around the edges. Tie embroidery floss to hang the ornament and glue a small bow up at the top! Shake and enjoy.

What family picture will you use to make one?

 

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Heather

Monday 12th of September 2022

Back to the vinyl question. Since the original post, have you found a specific vinyl that works? When you say “old bag” are you speaking of like one that a set of sheets comes in for example? Thank you!!!!

Marilyn Jacobs

Tuesday 15th of August 2023

@Heather, I know this post is from last year, but have you looked into a clear light weight shower curtain. you can get them at Walmart for about 6-7 dollars and there is plenty there for what you are doing.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Sunday 18th of September 2022

Hi Heather! Sorry for the delay in answering, I was out of town and missed this notification. I have not ever found a specific vinyl because I keep getting new sheets - you are 100% correct in that is what I mean and I'm going to go edit it to reflect that!!

Denise Baker

Wednesday 9th of December 2020

Cute idea! Is they clear vinyl similar to the clear vinyl tablecloth that people used to place over their cloth one way back in the day. I'm trying to make sure I don't order the wrong thing.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 10th of December 2020

Hi Denise! The clear vinyl is a little thinner than that - I wish I had a specific weight or link to share but like I said, I cut up an old bag like that sheets come in :/ But anything not thick and clear will do I'm sure!

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