Snow Globe Ornaments

I saw this idea two years ago.  I, for the life of me, can't find the "inspiration" picture anywhere.  I'm guessing the idea was on Pinterest.  I never pinned it, so I just had to try to make up a version that was as close to the original as I could remember!

Here's the finished result:

 

It's pretty easy to make!  Here are the steps in pictures...

1.  Take a picture of the kid(s) in winter wear.  Tell them to pretend they are catching snow flakes!  Print them wallet size.  I made 4 prints = 8 wallets for just over $1 at Sams Club.

2.  Cut out the kid(s) from the background.  This is the most time consuming part of the project!  Also cut out a "globe", the base, and a top piece to hole punch.  I liked using the blue paper, but you can use white or whatever else your little heart desires.

3.  Glue the pieces together.  When your son comes in and is so excited to see a "gumball machine", correct him and tell him it's a snow globe!  Sheesh.

4.  Add sparkles and snowflake stickers.

5.  You can stop here, but I wanted them a bit more child proof, so I took them to Staples and got them laminated.  It's about $1.50 to get 4 finished ornaments laminated.  They told me since the snowflakes had a sequence on them, they wouldn't seal perfectly.  I decided that was fine.  I actually liked the end result where it wasn't totally sealed.  It gives it more of a 3D feel, and that works perfectly with the "snow globe" idea.

We are using it as an ornament, but it could also be used as a bookmark!  I made one for the grandparents and each of the kids.  It's an easy project to complete in a day and it's a really cheap craft that the kids could help you with!  I'm looking forward to repeating this craft next Christmas!

My Ornaments Dec 24

And last but not least......
December 24 - Christmas kitties
I don't remember what year we got these ornaments, and I wish I did!  They came from either Elder Beerman or Lazarus - I can't remember.  I remember not being able to choose at the store which I liked best, so I got all three.  Actually they were a birthday or Christmas present that year I got them.  If I had to choose only one now, I'd pick they grey stripey one :)

My Ornaments Dec 23

December 23 - Girly Snowflake
I mentioned in yesterdays post that in 1992 I fell in love with Hallmark ornaments,  One reason why I love this one so much is it's one of the first ornaments I remember buying with my own money (in 1994).  We went to the hallmark store the day after Christmas when all the ornaments were half off and my sister bought this one, so I did too.  I remember thinking "Oh, cute snowflake" but it wasn't until I looked closer and saw the snowflake was made up of cute little girls :) And there are hearts on there and I love hearts <3

My Ornaments Dec 22

December 22 - Open Heart ornament
This is a Hallmark ornament from 1992.  I think the reason why I love it so much is because when I was little and my mom gave it to me, I was so in love with the fact the heart opened AND inside was a little Christmas scene.  It's one of the first Hallmartk ornaments I actually remember getting. 

My Ornaments Dec 21

December 21 - Bama snowmen ornaments

While I can't claim to be the biggest Bama fan that has ever lived, they are my favorite team.  I caught about half of their games this season and I'm soooooo looking forward to the BCS Championship game that's quickly approaching!  I got these ornaments my freshman year of college.  Football season is usually over now for most teams, but not Bama!  These ornaments get me in game mode!  Roll Tide!

My Ornaments Dec 20

December 20 -Pregnancy ornament
Back when I worked at the bank, my BFF Amy gave me this ornament.  There are so many reasons why I love this ornament so lets get to it!  I had never seen an ornament to celebrate pregnancy before, so it never occurred to me to get one.  Amy didn't know my love for ornaments, so it just happened to be a perfect gift.  I wasn't expecting a gift from her so it was a lovely surprise!  I love that it's personalized too.  Kevin and I were only married 3 months before I got pregnant, and sometimes it feels like we've always had kids, so it reminds me of that first year that it really was just the two of us and our two cats. 

My Ornaments Dec 19

December 19 - Wedding Cake Ornament
It's no secret I made our wedding cake, so this was my favorite "1st Christmas together" ornament!  My parents gave it to me for Christmas in 2007.  I had a Lenox cake topper and cake knife and server, so it only made sense to have a Lenox cake ornament! 

My Ornaments Dec 18

December 18 - S'more ornament
My sister gave me this ornament in 2000.  It was her first year in college.  I remember opening the ornament and I said something to the effect of "oh, cute snowman!" and I was on to the next gift.  She stopped me and said, "Did you see what it was?"  I was like, "Um yea, clearly he's a snowman".  And I think she told me to look again and she had to tell me he was a s'more!  Now you see these ornaments everywhere, but it was such a unique ornament when I got it, that I still love it :)

My Ornaments Dec 17

December 17 - Mini Christmas kitty
This miniature ornament is about the size of a christmas light.  It's tiny!  My friend Shannon gave this ornament to me on my 16th birthday.  I think she knew I loved cats, but didn't know how much I loved ornaments.  It has always been a favorite!  I love it's little dangly legs, it's little pink pads on the back of it's feet, and the fact it's a cat!  It hangs at the top of my tree every year (which is why I had a hard time getting a picture of it) and my Christmas tree would be incomplete with out it!

My Ornaments Dec 16

December 16 - Elf Yourself Ornament
Have you ever visited the JibJab website?  My kids (and I) LOVED it! You insert your face into an elf body that dances to a song - it is quite entertaining.  This year I'm not as impressed with the selection of videos to elf yourself, but the kids still are in love with it!  I bought this ornament in 2010 and it still cracks me up seeing elf Kevin on elf Hayden's back :)

My Ornaments Dec 15

December 15 - Memory Ornament
Last year on December 15th, at about 10pm, I was talking to my sister on the phone.  I had taken a positive pregnancy test earlier in the week, and as we were finishing up our conversation I felt a gush of blood.  I knew the feeling and I knew it shouldn't be happening.  Once I confirmed I was bleeding, I frantically tried calling Kevin but couldn't get ahold of him (he was at work), so I called my parents.  My dad stayed with Hayden and Allie and my mom took me to the ER.  I got a hold of Kevin and he met us at the hospital.  It wasn't till about 2 in the morning, after doing blood work, an ultrasound, exams, that they told me I had miscarried.  It was such a sad time for me, but I wanted an ornament to represent this little life that we only knew for a moment - even if it does make me sad.   

My Ornaments Dec 14

December 14 - Personalized Gingerbread ornament
Back in the day I use to take piano lessons.  I really enjoyed them for several years, but eventually stopped taking lessons.  In 1990, Mrs. Skidmoore (sp? {my piano teacher}) made all her students one of these ornaments and decorated a tree with them.  As a 7 year old, I thought that was pretty cool.  One other fun memory about Mrs. Skidmoore, I remember she had a coo coo clock.  It's funny the little details you remember about certain people/events.

My Ornaments Dec 13

December 13 - Bear and Clown ornaments
I don't have really any regrets in life, but if I could do one thing over again, I'd buy about a dozen more of these ornaments!  There was a little seasonal store in Washington Square Mall (back when it actually was a descent mall) that sold these hand painted ornaments.  My sister has two adorable cat ornaments and she got cat garland (which I stole for several years and still have at my house - remind me to give that back sis!).  These two actually were Christmas gifts that year from my sister.  I love how unique they are and I so wish I could find them again!!!

My ornaments Dec 12

December 12 - Mirror ornament
One of my favorite classes in high school was home economics.  My teacher, Mrs. Walters, had us make these ornaments for class around Christmas time.  We had to bring in a picture for the ornament.  We used steal wool and paint thinner to take a small section off the back of the mirror, which turns that little section into a spot of see through glass.  You put your picture in the little spot you created, glue a little felt to the back, and voila, you have a neat/homemade ornament!  I always loved this ornament, but even more so now that Tootise is no longer with us. 

My Ornaments Dec 11

December 11 - Caribbean Cruising Ornament
Kevin and I took a Caribbean cruise for our honeymoon and this was the ornament I bought on that trip.  We are dreaming of another cruise sometime in the future - maybe a bigger anniversary - like 10 or 15 yrs. 

My Ornaments Dec 10

December 10 - Annalee Cat ornament

I am 100% a cat person, and I fell in love with Annalee cats several years ago.  There's just something about their painted faces that make them so loveable!  I have two Annalee Cat ornaments, but I wish I had enough to decorate a whole tree. 

My Ornaments Dec 9

December 9:  My Braces ornament
Yes, you read that right.  I loved my braces.  I didn't want to get them off, so when it came time to remove them, I asked the orthodontist if I could keep them.  That was a first for them, but they didn't have any objections!  My mom found the clear plastic ball, and they have been hanging on my tree since my freshman year in high school!  Don't judge, I'm sure you've done weird things too! :)

My Ornaments Dec 8

December 8: Panda Jingle Bell Ornament
When I was younger, I had a huge obsession with panda bears, and I still kinda do!  My Aunt Teresa, who has passed away, had this ornament on my gift for Christmas in 1989.  I don't know if she made it or not, but I'm going to guess she did because she was such a crafty lady.  It was my first panda ornament and it's still my favorite panda ornament I have!

My Ornaments Dec 7

December 7: Baby's First Christmas Ornament
Today is my birthday!  Last year in my twenties - kinda scary!  I thought a fun ornament to showcase today would be one I had to have gotten shortly after I was born.  This is a Hallmark ornament from 1983!  I actually have 3 "baby's first Christmas" ornaments and I love them all - this one just happens to be my favorite of the three :)  I've made sure that all my kids have a couple cute ornaments for their first Christmas too!

My Ornaments Dec 6

December 6:  Hayden's first Christmas hand-print ornament
My sister and mom stole Hayden for a few hours when he was 7 months old.  I thought nothing of it, but was so surprised on Christmas when I opened this sweet little ornament! I've carried on the tradition with Allie, and will do the same with Krissy this year.  I'm sure when they get older they will get a kick out of seeing how little their hand print use to be!