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Paper Snowflakes

KarateKatGraphics by KarateKatGraphics

Deck your halls in a flash, almost for free

Thwack.  Thwack.  My husband looked up from the Sunday paper.  "I think we're gonna need some new paper snowflakes."

Our existing multicolored snowflakes, hanging high in a row between living and dining rooms, have seen better days. Target practice (thwack = nerf darts on paper) is the latest insult, compounding sun damage and a light coating of dust.    

Never a model family for seasonal home decor--or housekeeping, for that matter--we usually just manage a bunch of these hand-cut paper snowflakes each winter.  Then in spring we switch 'em out with paper butterflies and birds.  The kids cut, and I hang the results on ribbons of varying lengths.  It's simple, cheap, pretty, and draws a suprising number of compliments.  But this was a busy year.  The birds and butterflies never got made.  And we never did (gasp!) take down those paper snowflakes from the previous year.

Solution?  Pull out a stack of colored paper.  Finish or ignore homework.  Start cutting some fresher, newer flakes. :-)

     

How do you make a paper snowflake?

What I do is just pull out a soup bowl from the kitchen and trace it onto a piece of cardboard. I cut that out and use it as a template, tracing circles on many sheets of colored paper. I cut all those out and leave them in a stack on the dining room table. The kids are free to cut the circles into snowflakes whenever the mood hits them.

All they need to do to make a snowflake is fold the circle of paper in half for a semicircle, then fold again for a quarter-circle and (if they choose) go one fold further for an eighth-circle. They cut little notches and details then, and unfold to see their finished creations....which go, next, between the pages of a large book for flattening. When the book is full of snowflakes, I take them out, attach to pieces of ribbon, and hang them up.

Paper snowflake templates, patterns & instructions

I've always thought the beauty of paper snowflakes is their uniqueness. Because you cut each one a bit differently, no two end up the same--just like real snowflakes. Using templates can diminish the uniqueness aspect, but you can build in variation by using different paper colors.
Paper snowflake patterns
Templates for 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12-sided snowflakes.
Paper snowflake cards
Give these, or use to decorate your house.
Make-a-Flake
E-snowflakes to save or print
For the advanced flake-maker...
A tutorial on creating more intricate, "themed" paper snowflakes.
Simple paper snowflakes
Basic instructions and visuals for a cute, kid-friendly design
Paper snowflakes group on flickr
Ooh, pretty photos. Great inspiration!
Make a cool 3D paper snowflake
Short video tutorial from youtube. Hang these on your tree.
Another youtube video: folding tips
An easy way to improve your traditional (flat) paper snowflakes
Snowflakes for all Seasons: 72 Fold & Cut Paper Snowflakes

Snowflakes for all Seasons: 72 Fold & Cut Paper Snowflakes

by: Cindy Higham

Amazon Price: $5.46 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

They're not just for winter!

The little snowflakes that could :-)

After the kids cut this little trio of paper snowflakes from colored tissue paper, we translated it into a range of products for Karate Kat Graphics, our online shop that benefits Save the Children. It's turned out to be one of the most versatile designs we've worked with, and the address label is a bestseller.

Karate Kat return-address label sticker Karate Kat happy holidays--to personalize mug Karate Kat season's eatings apron apron Karate Kat happy holidays--to personalize stamp Karate Kat snowflake trio gift tags sticker Karate Kat baby's-first-Christmas shirt
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Punch 'em!
If your cutting hand gets tired .... use this
snowflake paper punch to make beautiful little flakes for cards, albums & more.

Comments?

Any paper snowflake memories to share?

  • awesomedealz4u Feb 9, 2012 @ 8:25 pm | delete
    Lovely snowflakes!
  • miaponzo Jan 9, 2012 @ 1:47 am | delete
    I adore snowflakes! Blessed!
  • dellgirl Jan 4, 2012 @ 7:53 pm | delete
    Beautiful lens, I love the snowflakes. Thumbs up!

    Thanks for visiting, squidliking, and for taking the time to comment on my lens. That's very nice. Thanks again and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
  • Treasures-By-Brenda Jan 2, 2012 @ 10:16 pm | delete
    LOVED making paper snowflakes. Should do it again soon.
  • NickyT Dec 19, 2011 @ 3:10 pm | delete
    Thanks for this fun lens with complete instructions.
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A season for giving

Save the Children is a top-rated, time-tested organization working with kids in dire need. Three easy ways to help today: Click the "donate now" button below. Shop Karate Kat Graphics. Or just share the link for this lens with a friend who'd be interested. (How does that help? Traffic here benefits Save the Children through Squidoo's awesome charity-designation system.)

More info:

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us

Let It Snow holiday thank-you sticker sticker Snowflake trio holiday thank-you sticker sticker Let It Snow holiday thank-you sticker sticker Pink Snowflake Thank You sticker

This So Crafty page written by

KarateKatGraphics

Art lover, freelance writer, music nerd, mom of 3. Goals: raise decent humans, learn Spanish, more veggies, more sleep, keep on the sunny side, *breathe.*... more »

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