Decorating the bay window...
The first thing I decorate for Christmas, is my front bay window. I like to get that done early, sometimes before Thanksgiving. The theme for the the window, usually sets the theme for the entire room.
Because the window is large, with a bay window style, I have a nice big space to create a large display. We live on a mildly busy street and I like to make the window pretty from the outside and inside too.
The Theme...
That year, my plan was to create a snow globe effect. There were these fake birch trees I saw…that were “way” out of my budget. I wanted the look of a forest with a small town in the background.
Birch Tree Forest...
What could I use, to give the “look” of birch limbs? They wouldn’t have to be perfect, just the illusion of trees.
Something round and tall, and maybe light weight, it would have to stand up. So on the hunt I went, in the barn, sheds, and finally downstairs.
That’s it! A cardboard insert from wrapping paper! There was loads of left over rolls that I could unroll and take out the cardboard tube.
Going online to look at pictures of real birch logs, I jotted down a few notes, and made a plan for a make shift stand. Taking some pieces of flat cardboard, cutting a X in the middle, stuffing the tube in the center and taping it up with masking tape. Pretty fancy…right, lol!
The masking tape gave me the idea to wrap the entire tube, for a textured look. Cutting a few short pieces for side branches and taping them on.
Then painting them with two coats of cream and white craft paint. Followed by highlights of medium and dark brown paint. They were starting to look pretty good.
I finished three for each side of the window.
Cottages...
The first time I saw these cardboard houses, they were under a table of discounted Christmas items, at an after Christmas sale.
There were three to the set, each one nested inside the next.
The largest being around 18 inches tall. They were painted creamy white, with a little mica and glitter sprinkled on top of the paint.
Setting them on the window sill, I soon realized, one set was not going to give me the “village” feel I was going for.
There were no tags or company names of any kind on the houses when I bought them years ago. So on the internet I went, searching for something similar in size.
Hobby Lobby to the rescue! In their paper mache’ department…were the sets! Of course they would need a coat of paint and a mica sprinkle, but I couldn’t believe I found them!
I bought two more sets, painted them, inside and out, and sprinkled mica and white glitter when the paint was still wet.
Background...
My “snow globe” window needed a moon…and what better than Santa flying across it!
Buying white foam board from the dollar store, I cut a large circle for the moon, and some rustic trees for the background.
Spraying them with a light coat of spray-paint, then sprinkling mica and glitter on them too.
The Reindeer Team...
Going on the computer, I found a silhouette image, of flying reindeer and Santa with his sleigh.
Printing them out in grey tones, I cut them out and glued them on the moon.
Behind the scenes...
To give the cottages support and different levels I used small boxes, bowls, benches and pieces of wood, covering it all with an old cotton rug.
Finishing touches..
Now to add the side branches I envisioned…In the back yard, are some old overgrown lilac bushes. The branches are gnarled and interesting.
Chopping off a few and letting them dry out for a couple days, I gave them a coat of white spray paint and brought them inside for the sides of the window.
Lights, Camera...Action
Using command strips, I added white lights (with white cords) to the ceiling of the window.
Sticking the moon and trees to the window with double sided tape worked well.
Christmas Snow globe window...
Adding the cardboard birch trees, three sets of cottages and a few bottle brush trees, I started setting them up. At the last minute, I turned a few of the house to face the window, to give the outside a pretty look too.
In each house, I put a set of fairy lights on a timer. Each day the turn on at around four o’clock and go off at ten o’clock.
Window Wonderland...
This was a fun window to do back in 2020… I’ve used the little cottages so many times through out the different seasons too.
Thank you for giving me a chance to share my joy of decorating with you!
Until next time.
Fondly, Sandy
Such a great idea, your window looks beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Merry Christmas!
Donna
Thank you so much Donna!🎄❤️🎄
Fondly, Sandy
I do enjoy seeing what you will come up with next. I’ve said it before and I’m sure to repeat…your imagination is wonderful! May you continue to inspire others with your talent!