Learn how to craft a charming busted canvas snow globe ornament with our step-by-step guide! This will make a great addition to your tree.
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Busted Canvas Snow Globe Ornament
I’ve been crafting up a storm for both gifts and my own Christmas decorations. You may have seen the busted canvas vintage Santa ornaments I shared on Facebook a few weeks ago.
Today, I am back with another, but with a twist. I’m excited to share this brand new Christmas snow globe ornament. The viral #bustedcanvas or #explodingart trend is still going strong.
Be sure to check out the large vintage Santa busted canvas I made a few weeks ago and grab the beautiful printable.
You can also join our Free Busted Canvas Crafts Facebook Group to learn more about this viral craft and join in on the fun.
It’s a great place to share your own designs, get feedback, and swap ideas with a passionate group of fellow crafters.
Here is what you need for this ornament DIY.
Supplies for Snow Globe Ornament
- 4×4 Stretched Mini Canvas 2 pk – I bought mine at Michaels, but Amazon has a 12 pk of 4×4 stretched canvases for under $13!
- 4x4 Mini Canvas Boards – I used a foam board from Dollar Tree and it worked great! You can also use cardboard.
- Cardstock, decorative paper or paint – for more dimension and texture use at least 2 designs
- Mod Podge – I went with matte
- Plastic Ornament – you need the one that opens, as you are only using half
- Glamour Dust
- Snow-Tex
- Craft Knife or scissors– I love the Cricut knife kit
- Foam Brush
- Paper Cutter
- Santa Snow Globe Printable – see below for free download
- Ribbon for hanging
How to Make a Busted Canvas Snow Globe Ornament
Here are the steps broken down for a quick guide.
- Decorate the main canvas – you will only see the corners and portion of the top and bottom, but you want it to compliment the image.
- Decorate the back of the main canvas – this will be the design that is “busted” so choose a coordinating design to the front.
- Decorate the flat canvas board (or cardboard) – this will be your main image that will show through the busted part. Choose an image to use as a focal point.
- “Bust the canvas”- make sure your scissors or craft knife are very sharp. If you have any torn edges, trim them to keep it neat.
- Hot glue the ends of the canvas back – it helps to roll each strip around a pencil for a tighter roll. But, you can glue it flat, roll it, fold it under, just have fun with it.
Step 1. Paint the front of the stretched canvas with mod podge
Paint the front of the stretched canvas with your choice of paint. I used a pretty pearl pink acrylic paint. You will need two coats.
While the paint is still wet, sprinkle with glamour dust. This is optional, but I’m all about a bit of sparkle, especially on ornaments. Let it dry.
Step 2. Decorate the back of the stretched canvas
The next step is where you can really get creative. Use decorative craft paper, wrapping paper, or even paint to decorate the inside of the canvas. This is the part that will show as “busted” in the front.
I have found that it helps to use a heat gun to secure the paper to the mod podge. This is optional, but it speeds up the drying time and seems to help with the cutting process, which I’ll discuss in the next steps.
Step 3. Decorate the flat canvas board
Next up, decorate the flat canvas board. You can also use repurposed cardboard, or a foam board which is what I used.
This will be what shows through the cut-out so you want it to be a feature image.
I love this sweet snow globe Santa and knew it would be perfect for this ornament. Simply adhere the image to the foam board with mod podge. Smooth out any wrinkles.
Step 4. Bust the canvas
Now for the fun part-busting the canvas!
Use a craft knife to find the center of the canvas and start cutting. Leave an inch or two around the edges of the canvas.
You are basically cutting 4 cuts like an X. Cut from the center to each corner. I find it works best to poke a hole in the center with a craft knife or scissors, then cut each section with sharp scissors.
Roll the sections back so they are nice and even. I’ve made about a dozen busted canvas crafts at this point and this is where some readers have had difficulty.
The pieces can sometimes separate or lift up. If that happens, no worries. You can use a glue stick or hot glue to secure the pieces.
Also, if your edges are jagged, trim the pieces with sharp scissors. I’ve learned that it is best to use very sharp scissors when making the cuts.
If the scissors are dull, or if your mod podge is still wet, your cuts will be jagged. This is one of those crafts that patience is important. I’m an impatient crafter so I learned from trial and error!
Here is what the underside will look like:
Secure the edges of the bust-out pieces with a bit of hot glue. You are basically curling the cut canvas back to reveal the beautiful Santa image.
Others have mentioned the corners not staying secure. Another tip is to hold down the corner when you add the hot glue.
You can also use hot glue and E-6000. Hot glue gives that instant hold, while E-6000 stays secure.
Step 5. Glue the canvas to the board
The next step is to glue the bottom board to the top canvas. I used hot glue, but if it doesn’t seem secure enough, add a bit of E-6000. Again, you want to hold this together for a bit until it is secure.
You can add a ribbon for hanging and stop here, but of course I had to take it a step further.
Step 6. Add a snow globe
I found a small snow globe ornament at Dollar Tree. It opens in half so you are able to add things like candy, pompoms, or any other small items. The size is just perfect for this snow globe canvas.
Add a bit of fake snow to the inside of the snow globe. I added mod podge to the base of the globe and placed the snow on top.
The plastic globe ornament actually fits perfectly inside this 4×4 canvas, so I didn’t even add any adhesive, but you can use hot glue if you like.
Step 7.
To go with the snowy theme, I added snow-tex to the bottom of the canvas. Let it dry.
Now, just add a ribbon for hanging and you are done! This canvas is also just the right size for tiered tray decor. The piece can stand up so it would work great.
Now for some of the beauty shots. 🙂
The snow-tex really makes it!
Can you believe I found the beautiful pink Santa at Goodwill for $5? It looks so pretty with this little tree and ornament.
What do you think? Is this something you could see yourself making? It would make a great gift too!
Download your free vintage Santa printable
Remember I mentioned sharing the free snow globe Christmas printable?
Here you go. Simply click the download button below the image, or right click on the image and save it to your computer for printing.
You can print it out on standard copy paper. It is sized to fit this 4×4 canvas.
If you make your own, be sure to share it with us on Facebook or Instagram.
Just tag @ourcraftymom. You never know who you may inspire.
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Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy holidays!
For even more budget-friendly Christmas ideas, you don’t want to miss this amazing collection of 81 Dollar Tree Christmas Crafts and these 37+ DIY Dollar Tree Christmas Ornaments.
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