To this day, some of my favorite Christmas decorations include my waterless snowglobes. I am a total sucker for anything miniature. Which means that vintage Christmas in miniature is kind of a double whammy for my heart. And when I spotted this cheese dome at the thrift store, I knew it was destined for a similar idea.
I thought long and hard about what kind of Christmas scene or winter scene to recreate.
And while a traditional “deer & trees” scene would have been cute, it wasn’t all that unique. And you know me- I gotta be different!
So I drew inspiration from favorite childhood memories of winters up in Chicagoland- ice skating on a frozen pond! And I found the perfect vintage figurines to work with!
Those along with a baggie of vintage bottle brush trees and I was all set to begin creating a winter Christmas scene!
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Creating an Ice Skating Pond on the Base of a Cheese Dome
My first task was to turn the wooden base of the cheese dome into ice, so-to-speak. I had NO IDEA how I’d achieve this. The surface of a frozen pond is swirly, cloudy, with bubbles and streaks in white, silver, and blue.
So, in other words, gorgeously complicated.
First, I painted the entire base a polar sky blue.
I legitimately used leftover paint from when we painted our master bedroom for this!
I also didn’t focus too much on the center of the base of the cheese dome. It was more important that the sides of the base and the outermost perimeter were nicely opaque.
Next, I drizzled a few drops of silver craft paint on the center circle. Then, I used a wadded up paper towel to swirl the paint across the blue paint.
It was difficult to photograph- but that’s the idea! However, I wasn’t done.
To lighten up the swirly silver, I used the same paper towel technique with a few drops of white craft paint. I loved how it looked, but I added one more detail to the base of the cheese dome.
Using my thumbnail through the paper towel, I added streaks through the nearly-dried paint. Like scars on the frozen pond from ice skating blades!
Again, I couldn’t photograph the end result well. But it’s pretty darn cool in person, I promise!
Creating a Winter Christmas Scene
Next, it was time to add a few of my vintage bottle brush Christmas trees along one side of the base of the cheese dome.
But if you recall from above, they didn’t have bases. Just a sharp, pointy wire.
I thought about base options but ended up using air-dry clay to create bases for the bottle brush Christmas trees. Not only was it white (like snow), but I could mold it so that the trees sat flat on the base of the cheese dome.
I let the air dry bases dry over night. Now I could begin to assemble my little scene under the glass cheese dome!
First, I used my hot glue gun to attach the bottle brush Christmas trees to one side of the ice skating pond.
Next, I added the little ice skaters to the frozen pond.
And I know, the scale isn’t perfect (they’re nearly as the bottle brush trees). But, I really didn’t care! This winter Christmas scene was going to be adorable either way.
All that was left to do was pile up some faux snow around the tree bases and replace the lid!
Winter Christmas Scene under a Cheese Dome
And just like that, I had an adorable little winter Christmas scene under a cheese dome. Like a DIY Christmas village or something!
Of course a winter scene with trees and deer would be cute! And OF COURSE a little red pick up truck bringing home a Christmas tree would be cute.
But I love that I went in an unexpected direction with my cheese dome. A frozen ice skating pond in miniature is just as adorable, if you ask me.
Now, I may have to hunt down another cheese dome (or two) for other, more traditional winter Christmas scenes. But for now, I’m pleased as can be with my version!
And if you enjoyed this upcycling idea for Christmas decor, then you may also be interested in these candy cane decorations for Christmas porch decor, too!
Also, did you know that my book, “Crafting with Flannel”, contains an entire chapter on Christmas projects? You can purchase it online from Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
That is adorable! I have a couple of those in my cabinet. I’ve never used them.Now I have the best way as to how. Thanks.
Thank you so much! I have a busy travel week and decided to post this early (i.e., no Tuesday post), so I’m glad you didn’t mind!! 😀
I will be at the craft store …Today.
What an inspirational idea! I have a domed cake plate and vintage items from a village scene that I haven’t used in years. I know what I am doing today…
Thank you so much, Mary Ann! I have a busy travel week and decided to post this early (i.e., no Tuesday post), so I’m glad you didn’t mind!! 😀
Absolutely fantastic!
Thanks, Mary!! Normally, I would have posted this on Tuesday (like normal) but I have a busy week of work travel…so I posted it early. 🙂
Beautiful, you did a terrific job.
Thank you so much!
I love your ice skating dome scene. But what’s killing me about it is I used to own a cheese dome just like that, but I gave it away some years ago. Did you buy it?
I still don’t remember you having one of these, oh well. Now that I go thrifting all the time for projects, it’s probably best that I don’t think about all the options that were once in your cabinets (or Grandma’s)!
those little ice skaters are so adorable!! love the cheese dome to ice skating pond upcycle. I really enjoy seeing the items you create from your Goodwill trips!
Thank you so much! Hugs!
VERY cute!! 😉
Thank you, Brenda!!
Oh my that is a score and so adorable too! Mele Kalikimaka to you and Your Ohana!
Thank you so very much!
Sarah, this waterless snow globe is so cute!!! You did a great job recreating an ice skated-on-pond look! Those little skaters are a sweet touch. It’s unique…love it!!
Thanks, Keri!
I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF DOING THIS WITH A CHEESE DOME! SO COOL!
Thanks, Rose!
This is fantastic! I love the little skaters:).
SO perfect for this, right??
So precious! I love seeing all these firsts you come out with! This is the first time in my life I want… no… NEED a cheese dome… haha
Haha!! Right?? Sometimes blogging is just code for hoarding. 😉
Very cute re-cycle, I love miniatures and this it turned out great!
Thank you for sharing on http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wordless-wednesday-44/
Happy Holidays!!
Thanks so much, Karren!
VERY cute! I see those cheese domes at the thrift stores all the time! Now I know what to do with one. How fortunate to find ice skaters on Etsy….gotta love that!
Thanks, AnnMarie!!!
Sarah, this is delightful! So, you are much younger than I am, but way back when I got married, everyone got these covered cheese trays! And of course, everyone eventually gifted them to Goodwill. So now, all of us who had these and donated them will be rushing back to Goodwill to buy them again! How funny is that?! And I admire the ‘creator’ in you to avoid the easy route with the deer…you go creative girl. And truthfully, i really does lend itself to an ice skating rink anyway. Well done!
Have a fantastic day!
Lynn
Thank you so, so much for the sweet comment, Lynn!! And yes, my mother told me that she, too, had a cheese dome but I have no memory of it. 🙂
I love this. I’ll never pass up one of the cheese domes at the thrift store again! Pinned it.
LOL, right?? Thanks, Virginia!!
Wow, super cute! I will never pass up on a cheese dome again. LOL
Thanks!!
Oh yea, this is adorable! Added your Etsy store to my faves, and I added you to those I follow on HT too. 🙂 Happy holidays!
Rita
This is one of your cutest creations ever! I’d be tempted to leave it out to enjoy all winter long. ADORABLE!! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.
Awwww, thank you, Betsy!!!
What a great idea, and you’ve executed it perfectly! I’ll be watching out for op shop cheese board and domes now 🙂 Visiting from A Tray of Bliss x Fiona
Thanks, Fiona!
Now I’m wishing I hadn’t decluttered my glass dome.
LOL, right? You’re not the only one. 😉
Oh what a cute idea – you have such vision I would never even THINK of doing something so fun to something like this after finding it at a Goodwill – good work girl!
Thank you so much!
Just when I thought I didn’t need another cheese plate! Love it! & love all the great ideas. Pinned & shared. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Happy Holidays!!
Thank you so much- and to you and yours, as well!
That’s so creative. It has a classic look to it, which I love! Makes me want to visit thrift shops for finds like yours!
Thanks so much, Michelle!
Can I tell ya I just saw two cheese domes yesterday when I was at my fave 2nd hand shop!! These are darling and thanks for telling us about the blog hop! I’ve always enjoyed Country Living! Thanks for sharing this on Throwback Thursday, and I’ll be pinning this! 🙂
Thank you very much!
This is SO cute!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
I absolutely adore this! I must start thrifting!! Great job 🙂
Thanks, Sam!
What a great craft! I love it! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! See you again tomorrow! Pinned!
Clever use for an old cheese dome. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.
Thanks, Sharon!
I just love everything you create! You have so much imagination and the figure skaters on ice is absolutely too cute!
Thank you so much, Erlene!!
Thank you for this amazing blog post. I am your daily fan reader )
Thank you so much, Paul- that makes my day!
Very, very cute.
Thanks, Debra!
And she does it again – something the rest of us wouldn’t give a second look – BAM – it’s an awesome decoration – Nicely done Sarah! thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party!
Haha, thank you so much, Helen!
This is perfect and vintage. What a great idea. I enjoyed reading your post.
Thank you, Leanna!
Adorable!
Thanks, Virginia!
Omg!! Sarah! Too adorable!! You are so creative! Thanks for linking up and sharing at DI & DI. I look forward to seeing your posts!
Thank you so very much, Lori!!
Thanks for sharing this again, precious!!
Oh this is too cute!! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Such a great idea! Love all the little trees and figures you put under the dome!
Thank you, Heidi!
This is adorable Sarah and a great up-cycle!! Thanks for linking up at Shabbilicious Friday. I’m delighted to be featuring you at tomorrow’s party.
Hugs – Kerryanne
Thank you so very much, Kerryanne- just linked up my latest!
Love your skating pond! I think I would use a Dollar Tree mirror, as I’m not too good with paint. Now to find the cheese dome and figures! Thanks for your tutorial!
I think a cheap mirror would work just fine- you could blot a little white paint on the mirror and it would really look like ice. 🙂
OMW Sarah, that’s really inventive and soooo cute. You did a great job mimicking the ice and the scratches left by the skates using the paper towels. It looks really good in the photo and I can only imagine how awesome it must look in real life and those little skaters you found on Etsy are just too adorable. Great re-purpose as always
Thank you SO very much, Michelle!!!
I think all of you have bought up all the cheese domes caz I haven’t found one yet! However, I have my stash of bottle brush trees and a small collection of thrifted matchbox cars and trucks to tie a tree onto with bakery twine. My red trucks got a coat of red nail polish as they were too shabby! I would have been tempted to use a mirror but the scratched up surface is much more realistic! I really love your idea of waterless snow globes–less mess if it breaks, no cloudiness, etc. On the lookout for more deer and winter people besides Santas and old-looking jars/bottles! AND you can use these all winter (which is a LONG time here in Maine!
Haha, I promise you I haven’t- I’ve only bought that one and that was a couple of years ago now! I still find them from time to time on my adventures, but leave them on the shelf for another lucky thrifter. 🙂
Well, if I find more than 1 reasonably priced, I will get them to showcase 1/2 or 1/4 scale dollhouse dioramas! I picked up a 4 room much loved dollhouse curbside this week….oh, yeah, that’s another story!
So adorable but also versitale. You could cut out piece of circular material or felt for “floor” and make scenes for every season!
I love this. Can you tell me how you attached the figures so they don’t fall over?
Hot glue gun!