Christmas Layout snow suggestions

I use cheap white quilt batting that I got in the sewing section of Walmart.  NH Joe

New Haven Joe posted:

I use cheap white quilt batting that I got in the sewing section of Walmart.  NH Joe

Thanks, Joe.  That looks good.  Nice and thin.  I need to go to Walmart.

Using the Walmart stuff !

I use 1/2” styrofoam insulation panels.

In previous years, I used the white batting.  I had to make sure everything underneath was white, or it would shine through.  A thicker batting may not have that problem.

This year I painted a 2-inch piece of foam with two coats of white latex paint and sprinkled the WalMart brand snow on the second coat while wet.  It is still a work in progress on the 'What did you do on your layout today' Forum topic.

White matte-finish latex paint with "Diamond Dust" sprinkled on it while paint is still wet. Trust me on this one.

Joe Hohmann posted:

White matte-finish latex paint with "Diamond Dust" sprinkled on it while paint is still wet. Trust me on this one.

Sounds like a great idea, I see it is available at Michael's.

Joe Hohmann posted:

White matte-finish latex paint with "Diamond Dust" sprinkled on it while paint is still wet. Trust me on this one.

I trust you and I bet it looks great but I have a 8x15 ft. area for a floor layout.  I can't paint my hardwood floors.  Well, I guess I can but then I'll get divorced.  So I need to stick with the batting or something equally removable! 

I also use the thinner rolls of batting as mentioned previously. However, I first lay white bed sheets down so that flooring/carpeting won’t show through the batting.  I then lay my track and finish by sprinkling clear glitter over the batting (similar to diamond dust previously noted) taking care to avoid getting it directly on the track.  The glitter will give it a ‘frosted’ look of realism.  I’ve added a picture from our layout last year to give an idea of how it looks.

I use the snow batting one would find this time of year. Typically at Joann's Fabrics or some craft store. It has that sparkle effect, but it is very thin, so you would need a white sheet underneath. But it is cheap. Probably get 4-5 packages for under $15.

I used the white snow batting  (found this time of year) and used scalpta-mold (as is) in white to simulate snow banks, edges, etc.  I sprinkled Department 56 "snow" in areas not near the tracks for some sparkle. Not perfect, but the best I have been able to achieve.

AmFlyer posted:

I use 1/2” styrofoam insulation panels.

I've been trying to get that "tire track" look and it never looks that good.  Please tell me what you did.

Got a few blankets at Menards yesterday. They have a nice collection of blankets and types of snow powder and flakes for everyone. 

To get the tire tracks I first use a car or a truck to make light indentations in the styrofoam. I then highlight the the indentations with a mascara brush. This was one of my wife's suggestions and it seems to work great. It is also quick to do. The town on a 4x8 layout can be done in 30 minutes.

SteveC, thanks for asking the question; thanks to Amflyer for answering it; and, thanks to Mrs. Amflyer for the mascara/brush hack .

Gee!  Mrs. B. doesn't use makeup.  I'm not even sure which part of the facial recreation mascara is or the brush used!    I had better look it up online before shopping.   

Thank you Amflyer and Mrs. Amflyer.  

I would just get some white carpet or white felt. I use it on my Christmas layout and my main layout and they both work great

I used the white batting from the Walmart craft area.  It is thin and lays down great.  I also found bags of fake snow you can order online or get at Hobby Lobby that I put on the roadways.  I try to keep the fine snow particles away from the tracks though.  For roofs of buildings I will take cotton balls and rip parts of them off and stretch them out where you would have snow laying in the valley of the roofs, at corners of buildings etc... Also you can do the same thing and then take a light dusting of a tan or very light brown paint or chalk and make snow banks that you can point glue in certain places.  Let me know if anything I said does not make sense and I will elaborate further. 

Mark Boyce posted:

Gee!  Mrs. B. doesn't use makeup.  I'm not even sure which part of the facial recreation mascara is or the brush used!    I had better look it up online before shopping.   

Thank you Amflyer and Mrs. Amflyer.  

The Dollar Store is a great place to buy cheap cosmetics and their associated implements.

Pete, Come to think of it, you are right.  There is a Dollar General down where we get on the main road.  They seem to be sprouting like mushrooms around here! 

Mark Boyce posted:

Gee!  Mrs. B. doesn't use makeup.  I'm not even sure which part of the facial recreation mascara is or the brush used!    I had better look it up online before shopping.   

Thank you Amflyer and Mrs. Amflyer.  

Mark, 

I can see you now at the make-up counter saying "it's for my trains".  

(For some reason the Clark Griswold scene from Christmas Vacation comes to mind)

SteveC,  Yes that’s right!!  LOL  I have a niece who used to work at a cosmetics store before she had kids.  Mrs. Glamour.  I should ask her!  She would just laugh putting me in the same category as her redneck dad!  LOL

Mark Boyce posted:

In previous years, I used the white batting.  I had to make sure everything underneath was white, or it would shine through.  A thicker batting may not have that problem.

This year I painted a 2-inch piece of foam with two coats of white latex paint and sprinkled the WalMart brand snow on the second coat while wet.  It is still a work in progress on the 'What did you do on your layout today' Forum topic.

 

I just realized I need to post the final layout for 2018.  The extra level of mountains over the high line was Briansilvermustang's idea, so we dubbed the whole mountain, Mount Brian!

Mark...where did you get the background in this picture?..

Howard...

Howard,

The backdrop is from My Village Holiday Village Accessories http://www.myvillage.us.com/

I have two.  They are sturdy 1/8-inch thick boards that fold, and have a different background on each side.  

I don't have them on this year's layout, because I forgot to leave a space for them to be supported until Mount Brian was too far along.  I decided to forego them instead of taking the mountain apart and re-configuring it since we have a deadline on Christmas Layout projects.  

I usually use the rolls of seasonal snow type batting from Walmart or Michaels. Fluffy, and seems to provide a decent look. Any white powder can be shaken on roads or cars or roofs to simulate snowfall. Not the best look, but good for a temp layout. Greg

  Ice and snow flocking is another descriptive word for a search. 

A white or light cream throw rug, or other cloth, like towels, a sheet, tablecloth, curtain, under the fleece would help "color fill". Maybe provide a decorative boarder too.

      Snow piles and snowballs....Packing styrofoam in layers. Kinda like rock sculping except I rolled little balls off each pile or trail instead of cutting.  I wasnt sure it would work at all, and I never got around to paint and glitter after. The camera is pretty cruel; it's hard to see the spherical grains in person especially in the colored lights. Paint wouldve helped.

Alternately, it makes a good base for covering with fleece or batting and providing a firm surface for structures and figures. Sinking some figures, trees, and other stuff ankle deep in deep 'styro snow' helps them stay standing

It takes a while, but you'll likely find enough "perfect" balls to make a good pile, from "carving" each snowbank if you're supplying a snowball fight.

bmoran4 posted:

Great idea bmoran4, although taking down the Christmas display may take about 6 months. lol

1.5 oz may not be enough but do the asbestos you can.  ( thank you, I'm here all night; don't forget to tip your waiters and waitresses)

Is Buffalo Snow an option?

Mine is not as pretty looking as others shown above but here is my method for creating snow:
The base of the layout is covered in the white batting from Michaels and Walmart. I then placed all of the accessories, track, etc. down on top of said batting. Next, I used Buffalo Snow to create snow drifts since its bigger and fluffier (I also use it as filler for in-between my rock formations). Lastly, I covered buildings, cars, trees, etc. with a fine layer of Woodland Scenics powdered snow.

Bryce

@onetrackmind posted:

Is Buffalo Snow an option?

Buffalo Snow is a brand.  If you are referring to their snow blanket, I wouldn't use it as a base for a temporary layout.  As far as I know they come in 15" width, so you will need many rows of it and will be constantly trying to keep them aligned as you build your village.  I would use heavy white fleece as a base (like a few others have mentioned in other threads).  Then use the puffy/fiber fill material for adding snow banks, hills, hide cords, etc.  Also with the heavier fleece dark floors will not show through, and you can fold it up and reuse for many years.  The snow blankets are not very durable.

edit:  I purchased whit fleece from JoAnn fabrics.  It's available in 5' or 6' widths.

Don

I use white felt from Hobby Lobby, it’s about an 1/8” thick and nothing shows through it. Best part is it comes approx 5 ft wide. Go to the area where they sell all the cloth by the yard.

@dmestan posted:

Buffalo Snow is a brand.  If you are referring to their snow blanket, I wouldn't use it as a base for a temporary layout.  As far as I know they come in 15" width, so you will need many rows of it and will be constantly trying to keep them aligned as you build your village.  I would use heavy white fleece as a base (like a few others have mentioned in other threads).  Then use the puffy/fiber fill material for adding snow banks, hills, hide cords, etc.  Also with the heavier fleece dark floors will not show through, and you can fold it up and reuse for many years.  The snow blankets are not very durable.

edit:  I purchased whit fleece from JoAnn fabrics.  It's available in 5' or 6' widths.

Don

Doing our first layout here and picked up the same from Joann the other night, really happy with the look of it.

Oscale_Trains_Lover_ Bryce, Yours looks fantastic.  Congratulations on the OGR article!  I think your snow is some of the best I have seen!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Gee!  Mrs. B. doesn't use makeup.  I'm not even sure which part of the facial recreation mascara is or the brush used!    I had better look it up online before shopping. 

Thank you Amflyer and Mrs. Amflyer. 

That's pretty funny, Mark. You have indeed led a sheltered life, lol. Eyelashes.

@Will posted:

That's pretty funny, Mark. You have indeed led a sheltered life, lol. Eyelashes.

Will, saves money!  😉

I would recommend white felt and purchase from JoAnn Fabrics.  Comes in 6 foot widths and cut to your length.  Look for a coupon on-line.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Oscale_Trains_Lover_ Bryce, Yours looks fantastic.  Congratulations on the OGR article!  I think your snow is some of the best I have seen!

Mark,
Thank you for the kind words on the snow and article. I love the images of your 2018 Layout that you shared! Maybe I need to make an extra level, you can never have enough trains running

Bryce