Putz House Snow and Glitter Tutorial

Perhaps it's so hot where you are right now you're wishing for snow or maybe it IS winter and the timing of this post is perfectly appropriate. Either way, I hope you'll enjoy all the tips that Carol Fisher of Chicago has to share about decorating tiny paperboard putz houses.

She designs a variety of super-cute kits for Etsy shop Holiday Spirits. Frankly, it's never too early to start thinking about... you know... that holiday. I dare not mention the C-word since it is only August, but like Boy Scouts, we will be prepared!

 

Bright white Bristol board houses look adorable on their own, but dress them up with a coat of paint and glistening snow and they'll become even sweeter.

Let's get started!

 

Having ordered one of Carol's beautifully packaged kits, I can tell you it is just like opening a present. Inside you'll find pre-scored buildings, hand-glittered bottle brush trees, sisal wreaths, dotted vellum, silver tinsel and ribbon along with directions for assembling and decorating.

Keep in mind though, that the following snow and glitter directions can be applied to any paperboard house you might have.

Overview:

1. paint walls, roof, window and door trim

2. cover windows inside with vellum

3. glue on window and door trim

4. fold and glue the house

5. glue house to base

6. add snow and glitter

This is an example of painted components that will be assembled before snow and glitter are added.

 

 

Here's how to add realistic snow to the roof and base of a painted house:

  

Snow Supplies:
   
 Deco Art Snow Tex   
 Medium flat paintbrush   
 Small round paintbrushes   
 Cup of water to clean brushes

 

1. Put a heaping tablespoon of Snow Tex in a small container.
2. Use a flat paintbrush to place dabs of snow around the chimney top.
3. Use a small round paintbrush to push and move the snow, covering the chimney top.
4. Add more snow as necessary.
5. Push small drifts over the edges of the chimney top to cover and create drips.

 

6. Use a round paintbrush to apply dabs of snow around the sides and bottom of the chimney.
7. Use the point of a small round brush to move the snow into drifts.
8. Continue applying dabs of snow across the roof peak, using the round brush to form drifts of snow all the way across.
9. Be sure to make drifts on both the front and back side of your roof.
10. Add a couple snowdrifts across the lower open roof areas for fun!
11. Use the same process to add snow around the house and create a snowy landscape in the yard.

 

 

Tips:

These extra little snowdrifts create a more 3-D look to the ornament base.
Think about where you want to place your bottle brush trees so they don’t cover up the snowdrifts.
Let the house dry 6 hours to overnight…and you’re ready to glitter!   

The following explains what you'll need to do to glitter your houses so they'll look just like they've received a frosty shimmer.

Glittering Supplies:

 

 

Aleene's Tacky Glue

Ultrafine or extra fine crystal glitter - for the house

Larger size crystal glitter - for the snow and ornament base (I like both Martha Stewart Crafts Coarse Glitter and Floracraft Diamond Dust Crystal Twinklets)

Small and medium flat paintbrushes

Small round paintbrushes

Cup of water - so glue doesn’t dry on your paintbrushes while you apply glitter

Shallow box or tray lined with wax paper to catch and reuse glitter (cardboard plant boxes from my local nursery are perfect)

Bright lighting - helps you see the glue for fewer missed spots and edges

 

Mix Your Glue:

1. In a small baby food size container, dilute 2-3 tablespoons of Tacky Glue with enough water to thin the Tacky Glue to an icing glaze consistency that will be easily spreadable, but not runny.

2. Get your wax paper-lined box and ultrafine glitter ready. You’re going to glitter the painted surfaces of the house first.

 

The Chimney is a perfect starting place because it is small and easy to cover.

1. Use the pointed tip of a small round paintbrush to apply glue around the snow, pushing glue into the little nooks and crannies at the base of the chimney.

 

 

2. With a flat paintbrush, evenly cover each side of the chimney with glue.

 

 

3. Hold the house over your wax paper/box. Shake ultrafine glitter over each side of the chimney.

4. Shake excess glitter into the box.

 

Back and Front Roof: Same process… just over a bigger surface!

 

1. Use the pointed tip of a small round paintbrush to smoosh glue into all the nooks and crannies around the snow.

2. Use a medium flat paintbrush to apply glue along roof edges… be generous!

3. Cover the center area of the roof with glue.

4. Even out glue with long strokes, all the way to the edges.

5. Hold the house over your wax paper/box. Shake/pour a thick layer of ultrafine glitter over the roof.

 

 

6. Shake excess glitter into the box. Check for missed spots and touch up if needed.

 

 

House: You’ve got this! Glitter one side of the house at a time using the same process.

 

 

Tips:

1. Remember to cover the eaves (underside of roof overhang).

2. Be generous with glue and work quickly to cover these larger areas.

3. Carefully apply glue to the corners/edges.

4. Smooth glue with long strokes.

5. Use a small round brush to apply glue to window/door trim.

6. Let the glittered house dry for 1-2 hours before handling.

 

Base snow: Now it's time for the larger vintage style glitter to cover the snow and ornament base.

1. Working in 1-2 inch area at a time, use a small round paintbrush to apply glue to the snow along the roof and chimney.

 

 

2. Cover snow with a generous amount of the larger Diamond Dust or Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter.
3. Use a medium flat paintbrush to apply a generous coat of glue to the snow around the house and the entire top of the ornament base. Sprinkle with larger glitter. Let dry.
4. Glitter bottom side of ornament base. Let dry.

 

Your Putz House Ornament is all glittered and ready to adorn with bottle brush trees, a wreath, tinsel twine, and ribbon!

2021 Update! In answer to a reader's question, Carol explains about glass glitter and whether it is necessary to seal it:

"Ultrafine or Extra Fine (90-100 grit) Glass Glitter, used on ornaments and greeting cards, has a sand-like texture without sharp edges and is the size you would typically use for putz houses. Like sand, you need to keep it away from eyes and children’s mouths. Glass glitter isn’t considered appropriate for use with children under 8.

 

The larger glass glitter I use to cover snow (70-80 grit) like Floracraft Diamond Dust Crystal Twinklets feels slightly prickly and should be handled with a light touch.

 

I suggest trying a glitter adhesive like Art Institute or Glass Tac to reduce shedding. These adhesives work well for me and I don’t seal my glitter houses. The clear versions of Krylon Glitter Blast or Rustoleum Glitter Sealer Spray come highly recommended to seal glitter and keep a natural shine.

 

Meyer Imports is a wonderful source of information about high quality Glass Glitter and Adhesives."

Visit Holiday Spirits on Etsy to see many more ideas for decorating a variety of putz houses for Christmas and Valentine's Day. Carol is on Instagram too - HolidaySpiritsDecor.

 

If classic putz houses aren't your style, you can make a batch of these DIY mid-century ranch houses via Casey of Vitamini Modern and trade the frosty snow for some palm trees!

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