Remember making Christmas Decorations as a kid?
Glue, glitter, paper, scissors....
"Homemade" decorations and ornaments are becoming a lost art...
so let's start by "Saving the Paper Snowflakes"!
Gather up some white typing paper,
(oops - guess it's called computer paper now!)
and some scissors....that's it!
...unless you want to add some homemade hot cocoa and sugar cookies!
That's an awesome idea!
Start with an 81/2"x 11" paper
Fold the bottom edge up to match the left edge of the paper,
and crease the fold
Cut off and discard the excess piece of paper.
You should have a triangle with one fold.
(if you were to open the fold, you would see it is now cut into a perfect square)
Fold the triangle in half again,
and a third time.
Now you can start cutting your snowflake.
To make it easier, I have diagrammed four snowflakes
by drawing my "cutting lines" with a sharpie marker.
If you would like to draw your shapes first, too...
I suggest using a pencil.
Tips for a pretty snowflake:
1. Leave some of the "folded" paper "uncut"
2. Keep your shapes simple: triangles, half circles, etc...
3. When cutting out shapes, look at the "positive" shapes left behind
(that is, the paper shape)
4. Don't make your cuts too small. You want larger shapes cut out of the snowflake.
Cut out the shapes...
Now the magic!
This was my favorite part as a kid...
unfolding the snowflake to reveal it's beauty!
...half way there...
duh duhm!
Wah-lah!
I like to make two sizes of snowflakes
to use the most of the paper.
I will make two out of one sheet.
Fold the paper in half,
hotdog style (fat wise).
Now fold the right side edge up to the top edge.
Crease fold.
Trim and discard the excess.
Open the paper
and cut in half for two future snowflakes.
Again, fold these like the larger one.
In half....
half again....
and again.
I have drawn another pattern for you to see.
I have used a sharpie just so you can see the lines.
Remember to keep the shapes simple
and leave some of the folded edges in contact
or your snowflake will fall apart.
Oops! I made a mark too close to another edge,
if I would have cut this, it could've caused
the snowflake to tear, don't want that!
So I adjusted my cut.
Now the magic....
Yay!
And another one...
I didn't "mark" the shapes on this one,
but just began cutting.
After you've made a few,
you will be comfortable doing this too.
I never know what they will look like...
I really like this one!
This one has a little more detailed cuts,
don't know if I'll like it or not, but we'll see.
Ok, that's different!
But each snowflake is supposed to be unique,
no two alike!
These are the snowflakes I just did.
Now, what to do with them?
I like to slip a folded snowflake into each Christmas Card I send,
a little extra surprise.
You can also hang them from fishing wire from the ceiling or window,
or actually attach them to the window like stickers,
here's how:
In a well ventilated area
spray an even coating of Spray Adhesive
(I use Elmer's)
Make sure that it has listed for "temporary" adhesion.
Follow directions.
For Elmer's, I simply spray the open snowflake evenly,
let sit for 3 to 4 minutes
then press onto the window.
To make sure it adheres evenly,
I take a clean white paper
and lay it over the snowflake on the window,
then rub the snowflake into the window.
It will simply peel off when your ready
and clean glass with vinegar or window cleaner.
(note: if you have a lot of condensation on your windows throughout
the season, the snowflakes may come off)
The snowflakes can also be adhered to mirrors.
Very festive!
Hope you make Paper Snowflakes a Christmas tradition
in your family!
Keep Calm and Kerri On!
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