Christmas Found: Faux Snow Flakes

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Take a plain ol piece of printer paper (8.5x11")

...and fold it in half.

On the folded side, find your center mark...

...by folding it in half again and pinching the bottom corner.

Just pinch the corner, like this (see on the lower right?)...

I drew a little line so you can see where the center mark is...

Now fold the bottom corner up from that center point so that your bottom right corner is now pointing up near the top left corner

Press down to create a fold.

Then do the same with your lower left corner.

Fold that up to meet the top right edge.

Then fold that in half.

It will look like this...

Now you'll want to trim the excess.

See that short piece in there? You want to cut off everything that's past that edge.

Like this...

So you're left with the triangle piece (on the left in the pic below).

You can toss the extra bit that's on the right

Now draw your design. Try not to cut to far into the smallest angle (over there on the left in the picture below) because that will be the center of your flake. If you cut to far in, it will tend to fold in on itself. Keeping the center in tack will give you a strong flake. That's an oxymoron... but it's true.

I penciled in the areas that will be cut away.

Then cut, cut cut.

Once it's cut, slowly and carefully unfold the paper.

Be sure to press down on the seems as you open it.

It tends to want to fold back up on it's own.

Once it's open, you can place each flake in between the pages of a big, heavy book to get them super flat.

Then string them along a piece of fishing line or floss across the ceiling or tape them to your window.

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Wondering what designs I made to get the flakes in the collage pic up top?

Well wonder no more!

Here's the folded, cut piece (above) along with the open design (below)...

Now that I've completely overloaded you with paper cutting, go make some flakes and decorate!

Found here:
Bon Temps Beignet: Faux Sneaux Flakes

Christmas Found: Faux Snow Flakes

Confessions of an Adhesive & Sealant Junkie

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World's Best Crafty Adhesives and Sealants That Should Be In Your Kit
*in my humble opinion*

Glue
Aleene's is one of those brands that you just know makes good stuff. If you're ever in doubt just get Aleene's and you'll be fine. No, they don't pay us to say things like that. But if you work for Aleene's and you want to send me a giant box of magical glues and sprays, please go right ahead. The ones I can't live without:

Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue, $1.72 for four ounces. The fall back glue for when you don't know what to use. Super strong and it's very useful that it is clear when your attention to detail is poor like mine.

Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Spray, $4.49. Spray Adhesive is one of those things you don't think you need until you use it, then you're like, oh i should have always had this. It allows you to glue paper to paper (or other non-pourous stuff) with no lumps and bumps, and dries almost instantly. I like this one the best because you also have a few seconds to lift the item and re-position it before it dries.

Aleene's Stop Fraying, $2.88 for four ounces. This is a white glue that dries clear that you use for fabric edges to keep them from fraying. It is handy if you serge to place a dot where two stitch lines meet. Also useful if you have a tiny hole in something and you want to keep it from getting bigger. I also use it on the edges of cotton webbing (like when I made the replacement Doll Stroller seat). It's just a great thing to have if you sew.

Aleene's Fabric Stiffening and Draping Liquid, $5.70. This isn't something you MUST HAVE but it's pretty fun. It hardens fabric, from a little hard to hard-as-a-rock depending on how you use it. You can make firm bows and doily bowls and snowflakes, which make lovely gifts and cost so little. Just a fun thing to have!

Best Test Rubber Cement - $7.19. Honestly I just love this because it reminds me of being a kid in school and getting it on my fingers and peeling it off into a little ball.

And of course a Hot Glue Gun, $4.85. I've had a super cheap mini one for over six years and it's all I've ever needed - from little paper projects to my king size headboard.

Sealants
Krylon Clear Polyurethane, $4.79. This sealer basically puts a plastic coating on top of whatever you spray it on. It's very thin but it protects your finished project from moisture and the elements. I have noticed over time that it turns a slight shade of yellow, possibly only visible to me, but I have stopped using it for mod podge projects that are white or bright. I think it is best for wood projects and things meant to go outdoors and get rained on, in which case it is invaluable. I just picked up the can and it says "adds a warm luster" so I think that means "turns it slightly yellow" ha.

Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer, $7.02. This is what I now use to seal all those Mod Podge coasters and vases and step stools any other decoupage project. Dries quickly, easy to apply, keeps the moisture out and retains the original color. If you decoupage you NEED THIS. If you don't use it your decoupaged items can suffer water damage, or worst of all, melt.

Mod Podge. I'm not going to bore you by explaining why you need this again. Just get some in glossy and matte and make some stuff! Search "mod podge" in our search box for projects.

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Confessions of an Adhesive & Sealant Junkie | Prudent Baby