Make It Snow with a Pop Up Snowglobe

Do you want to make a snowglobe? I’ve got a Pop Up Snowglobe made from paper! Thanks to Kylie Henshaw in the UK for the basic idea. I’ve modified the size a bit and am using imperial measurements.

cutting & scoring Guide

		Paper Dimensions		Score
		1-1/2″ x 7-1/2″ Thick Basic White cardstock base		1″, 2-1/2″, 3-1/2″ 4-1/2″, 6″ & 7″
		1″ x 4″ Thick Basic White cardstock inner mechanism		1/2″, 1-1/2″, 2″, 2-1/2″ & 3-1/2″
		3-1/2″ Thick Basic White cardstock squares (2 pcs)
		3-1/2″ Window Sheet square
		Scrap Basic White cardstock for sentiment

Since these snow globes are like chips where you can’t make just one, I cut the end off a full sheet of Thick Basic White cardstock, with the final piece being 8-1/2” x 7-1/2”. Keep the 3-1/2” wide section as we’ll use that later on. If you’re just making one, then cut the cardstock to 1-1/2” x 7-1/2”. One full sheet will create five bases and it’s faster to do the all the stamping at once. Score the 7-1/2” side at 1”, 2-1/2”, 3-1/2”, 4-1/2”, 6” and 7”.

Pop Up Snowglobe base

Stamp snowflakes randomly in Versamark Ink. Don’t stamp on the narrow 1/2″ tab edge. Then sprinkle with Silver Embossing powder and heat set. Stamp more snowflakes randomly in Versamark Ink. Then sprinkle with Gold Embossing powder and heat set. Repeat, filling in the spaces with smaller and smaller snowflakes and random dots of snow. I used the Joyful Flurry stamp set. The end result is a full sheet of patterned paper with scorelines. With the score lines running horizontally, slice the sheet into 1-1/2” x 7-1/2” strips.

inner mechanism

Score a 4” wide piece of Thick Basic White Cardstock at ½”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2” and 3-1/2”. And again with the score lines running horizontally, slice it into 1” x 4” strips. 

snowglobe parts

Diecut a window sheet with the largest circle from the Layered Circles dies. PRO TIP: Keep the tissue paper layer under the window sheet for die cutting so the window sheet isn’t scratched up.

With the cut off end from the beginning Thick Basic White cardstock, cut two 3-1/2″ squares and apply double sided adhesive sheets to one side. Place a square with the cardstock side up on a cutting plate. Center two tree dies and the next smaller circle on the square and diecut. Then place the same large circle die that cut the window sheet over this cut out circle and diecut. Now you have a circle frame. Cut another ring from the remaining square and save the inner circle for later in this project.

assemble the pop up snowglobe

Fold the embossed base on all score lines, add glue to the tab and adhere. Fold the mechanism strip on the scorelines. Valley fold, valley fold, mountain fold, valley fold, and valley fold. It should like a W with extra flaps. Add glue to the middle valley on the mechanism and glue it shut.

Going back to the base, choose which of the two widest panels you want for the front and place the base in front of you. Take the mechanism, pinch the end flaps between your fingers and add glue to one. Insert the mechanism in the center of the base, lining up the top and bottom with the edges of the base. Add glue to the other flap and flatten the base down to adhere to the mechanism. When you push in from the sides, the mechanism should flatten.

decorating

Place the window sheet circle flat on the work surface. Remove the adhesive backing from one of the rings and center it over the circle and adhere. Flip the piece over and add the second ring to the back.

Position the leftover circle in the ring and mark two points. Cut a snowbank between the two points. Remove the backing and adhere to the bottom of the circle.

Remove the adhesive backing from the trees and position them on the snowbank. Scatter small drops of liquid glue on the window sheet and let it dry for a bit. Then place sequins on the semi-dried glue dots for snow. Then add some Wink of Stella swirled on the snowbank and the trees.

Adhere a strip of Tear N Tape on the top folded flap of the inner mechanism and attach the sowglobe. Dimensionals adhere an embossed sentiment across the front panel.

I mailed my snowglobes inside plain white cards folded in half with the front panel embossed with a snowflake embossing folder. A layer of plain cardstock padding was placed over the card front for extra protection before stuffing it all in the envelope. For extra insurance, I also paid the toll for hand-cancel stamps so the automated postage machine gods wouldn’t demolish the globes. I’m hearing that the globes made it in one piece to my 18 recipients, so all is good. Happy Holidays!