Most of us are dreaming of a white Christmas.
But when you live in balmy BC Canada, it's quite by chance that snow actually materializes. So here's how I made my own winter wonderland on this year's Christmas mantel.
The easiest way to achieve snow covered evergreens is the snow spray you use for window stencils.
I sprayed it on thick and uneven, so it had a chance to build up in clumps, as if the wind blew it around.
The plastic shredded snow offers realistic thickness.
And the amazing haze to the right is glass angel hair, extremely difficult to find nowadays.
I generally find my stash at thrift stores.
Some trial and error was practiced with flour, baking soda and baking powder.
And here's the result.
After I had the greens positioned, I placed newspaper behind the branches and sprayed.
I had no intention of using the spray at first.
I gave it a go after I found the fireplace too dark for my liking.
how the canning jar lid wreath is made HERE
The floor is where I added a recipe of plastic snow, flour and baking powder.
After sprinkling the light powders, I ran the vacuum cleaner attachment JUST over the surface, picking up only the very fine dust, which left more definition on the floor. The plastic snow was added last for bulk.
flour
plastic snow
Let it snow indeed!
Update: the greens have officially dried to a crisp. I expected to take it apart when that transpired, however the snow has hidden the dried appearance beautifully! The lights are now off for the duration and the display is staying up!
(last year's snowy footprints)
The snow on the floor was just for the photos hoot and didn't stay. But I'll put it back for Christmas morning, complete with baking soda Santa footprints. :) (sprinkle soda around perimeter of boot)
The pets were not attracted to it. No issues.
Update: the greens have officially dried to a crisp. I expected to take it apart when that transpired, however the snow has hidden the dried appearance beautifully! The lights are now off for the duration and the display is staying up!
(last year's snowy footprints)
The snow on the floor was just for the photos hoot and didn't stay. But I'll put it back for Christmas morning, complete with baking soda Santa footprints. :) (sprinkle soda around perimeter of boot)
The pets were not attracted to it. No issues.
Complete Christmas 2011 reveal is HERE.
All your amazing comments on the Holiday House Walk completely overwhelmed me!
Thank-you! My inbox feels VERY loved. :)
Donna,
ReplyDeleteYour mantel looks outstanding and I love how you added all that SNOW! Maybe I need to try that, since I'm sure all the white stuff that I will see at Christmas will be our SAND here on the Alabama coast:)
Blessings,
Linda
Beauuuuutiful!!!! So cozy!
ReplyDeleteLove the snow!! Never thought about using flour. My mantel is white...so snow doesn't show up very well. Sigh!! So I am doing silver, bronze and blue!! I think I will try to add some plastic snow! Love your mantel!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
All looks fantabulous! I have a can of snow also to lighten things up a bit. Couldn't do your 'snow' treatment on the floor though. When ya have 2 kitties...sigh.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! It looks like Santa forgot to stamp the snow off his boots before he came down your chimney!
ReplyDeletex
oh that is very realistic and what a wintery effect! love it!!
ReplyDeleteThat definitely gives a wintery feel! I could probably use the spray stuff, but the rest would not work for me. In the first place, my hubby would complain about it. :^/ 2nd, one fireplace gets used 100% and the other fireplace has a light sand hearth that will also be getting used later this week. I'll have to settle for ooohing and ahhhhing at your pretty display.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you lightened the fireplace with snow. It's much more dramatic and festive, and draws attention to all your wonderful items. I live in Illinois, so I get plenty of the real stuff, but I love the faux in interior decor.
ReplyDeleteOH the snow does make it feel magical!
ReplyDeleteLove the barb wire wreath & the canning lids in a circle great idea!
Bring on Christmas!...
Donna your mantle looks beautiful! I love the snow! Thank you for your how to :)
ReplyDeleteLovely Donna!!
ReplyDeleteWould you like some of our snow? :)
Actually a few rains melted most of it..but waiting for more.
Love your mantel and your creative beauties!
Deborah xoxo
Thats the kind of snow I would have to have too.
ReplyDeleteNo snow here. Love your snow, your creative mind at work again. Love your mantel. Could you show us the candle holder made with lid rings. Good job!!!
Looks beautiful, cozy, and wintery! The faux snow was a perfect touch. Merry Christmas, Donna!
ReplyDeletexo
Jami
Looks great! Although, my dog would lick all the flour from the floor.
ReplyDeleteLove the snow but know my cats would be gobbling it up! Best I just look at your lovely pics and leave that one alone! ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteI've never used the stencil snow. Cool. Thanks for telling us.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the sleigh with wood!
ReplyDeleteHere in Winnipeg, we never have to worry about a white Christmas; snow is guaranteed!
Beautiful decor!
Very frosty looking. I love the idea of Santa's footprint in the snow. Brilliant! Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. I love that barbed wire wreath!!
ReplyDeleteYou`re brilliant as always. Looks beautiful. I`ll throw some snow your way, yes..wonderful to look at snow, and cosy with the muted sounds around, everything turns fairytailish..but horrible when you`re stuck with your car..or freeeezing doing errands...I get the shivers thinking of getting out tomorrow morning...
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time in your junkchristmasparadice, hugs from Norway,
M
OK the snowy footprints... LOVE them! Just showed them to hubby and he may steal the idea! So much fun!
ReplyDeleteLove, Olga
(one of your many followers)
Love all your Snow! It is very realistic! Santa's footprint are just too cute! Wish I'd thought of that when my kids were young! Thanks for all you do! (and share)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your tricks of the trade! It looks frosty and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are so stinkin clever. I love the foot tracks, way too cute. Love the faux snow too. Looking very cheery and festive there.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing! I've never seen artificial snow used indoors on the floor. It looks like it blew right through the chimney. Love the footprints!
ReplyDeletelooks great and natural! I did try something new this year. I made twine balls out of a balloon and twine. Then I spray painted them white. Let them dry and spray painted them white. Next, I rolled them in epsoms salts. It covers really well and looks like snow. Then, I rolled them in diamond dust for some BLING.I am just getting ready to use them in a big pine and holly arrangement.
ReplyDeletelove it with the snow
ReplyDeleteblessings
barb
Call it a misconception of an ignorant United States resident, but I assumed that since Canada was north of us, you'd have just as harsh or harsher winters as our northern states! But then again BC is right over our balmier-in-the-winter states... Huh! Learn something new every day!
ReplyDeleteAnyway! Love your junk and ideas as always! Keep up the good work!
I'm back visiting your blog and completely loving your style. I've just subscribed so I don't miss anything.
ReplyDeleteLove the Santa footprints - wish my kids were young enough to enjoy it. Even my grandkids are getting past the stage where they would be fooled.
Wonderful! Such talent, you have. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't read through all the comments, so someone else may have posted this. Be careful of that angel hair, sweetie. It's likely made of fiber glass and can be dangerous if you breath it or get it in your eyes. Take precautions when you're handling it and wear gloves.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post, as usual!
I am so in love with that mirror and the canning lid wreath! Your style and photographic skills are equally amazing. Love your blog!
ReplyDelete