Michele Made Me

Reader Question: How Do You Cut Your Snowflakes?

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A pile of junkmail snowflakes.

You sometimes have questions. I know I do. When this happens and you think I might be of some service, do as Bridgitt did and shoot me an email. You never know, I just might be able to help. Bridgitt writes:

I was reading through the junkmail snowflake garland post and was amazed at the snowflakes you cut out. Any chance you could post pics of how you cut those? I need a little help getting in the holiday spirit, paper snowflakes just might do it.


Thanks,



Bridgitt


I blush… Thank you for your sweet message Bridgitt. And while I’m no doctor, I can attest to the therapeutic effects of making paper snowflakes. Let’s see if I can put my process into photos for you. Let me just say though, that every snowflake is unique – as proven by science – and it’s no different in this case. Once the folding is done, I just kinda go at it haphazard-like, without any real plan or goals (sounds a little like my life…) so every snowflake is a surprise. Yessirree. I am a surprise-lover.

To make snowflakes, here’s what I do:

1. I start with a square of colourful junkmail. Christmas-flavoured junkmail is easy to come by at this time of year.
2. I fold my square in half. It’s now a rectangle. Now put a crease in the bottom center of that rectangle. See that?
3. From the center crease, I fold the bottom right edge of the rectangle 2/3 to the left across the rectangle. I do it by eye, and just go with it. You see how the shape is now divided into 2 even thirds?
4. Now fold up the left hand side, so it meets the outer right edge.

5. Next I fold the whole thing onto itself again…
6. And chop off the top.

7. Now the serious cutting begins. I start by taking out large chunks. Chunks can be any shape imaginable: triangles, half-circles, long curvy lines, rectangles, you name it. Just make sure you don’t completely remove the side edges.
8. Then I go ahead and cut out some medium-size chunks. Any shape you like. Go krayzee.

9. Finish up the cutting phase by carving out tiny pieces.
10. Now for the best part: unfolding. It’s magical, isn’t it? Oh look at that… So nice!… And the final touch? I finish it off by pressing out the creases with a steamless iron. Rainbow snowflakes baby!

So… I hope I’ve shed a little light on my snowflake method, Bridgitt.  Making these guys is one of my favourite activities this time of year. Thanks for the email, and have fun making it snow!

Alrighty then. I’m off. You have a fine day and I will be back soon. ♥M

Edited to Add on 10 Dec 2011: What To Do With Junkmail Snowflakes – Wall Blizzard

 

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. PEACHES says

    Yeeep! This is another game changer. How many years have I been making snow flakes and NEVER even considered doing them up all rainbow and such. Whoa. Rock my world!

  2. Amy says

    OK, I am going to start folding mind differently now. I did quarters not thirds. This is much better. I also have to say that your scissors must be very sharp. I never get that kind of detail…unless it is the difference between using junk mail which is thinner and copier paper. I will have to put these things to the test!

  4. aboutgoodness.com says

    Great! I would not have imagined that such simple paper turned into snowflakes can look so very cool! I have some white walls at home and was wondering what to put up as decoration for holiday season. You gave me a great idea. I´ve got to search the appropriate papers now. I am sure my husband will love to participate as well, he loves to work with paper.
    Thank you for this inspiration that we have a chance to do something funny together. I´m curious to see how the final results changes the look of our walls 🙂

  5. Michele Pacey says

    Amy –

    The thinness of paper is definitely a factor in getting detail but so is time. I spend some time on the final "tiny cutting" step just to give the snowflake another level of intricacy.

    I used to fold in quarters too but have changed within the past few years. It makes a real difference, I think. The snowflakes just look more snowflakey… 🙂

  9. Jacqueline says

    You can see on my blog i made them also. But then the flower version. I'm going to put them on the wall in one of the childrens bedroom. Ik most cut a lot. But it's nice work.

  10. monica says

    i am so glad to see you fold them into thirds, and then sixths. that is one of my pet peeves, to see snowflakes that are four sided. It just isnt how nature made them!! Thanks for the pictures, I am inspired to try and get more detail in my snowflakes this year!

  13. Charissa says

    Michele, Michele. Junk mail never looked so good. We're spending Christmas at home for the first time in our married lives(!!). I'll have to keep this in mind for decorating!

  17. Leah says

    I love these, and I bet my kids would be fascinated seeing them unfold. Too bad I just recycled the catalogs that came earlier this week…but I'm sure there are more coming!

  18. pam says

    You are definitely a recycle genius!

    I can't believe how lovely these are and what a great job you did on the tutorial!

    I would never thought to use all the colorful printed calendar pages I have saved to make snowflakes! But you can bet I will be making some now! I really can not wait to get started – but got to wait just a bit til I get my hand made gifts in the mail! THEN snowflakes. With Sophia and Antonio!

  19. AMY says

    ooh – folding into thirds instead of folding into halves – I think that will make all the difference and I'm going to try making some.

    PS – just found your blog from totally tutorials and I am in LOVE! Why didn't anyone tell me about you before!!

  20. Pumpkin Pie Baby says

    I tried folding the paper the way you suggested and they were the most beautiful snowflakes I've ever made. Plus, I love using up all of these catalog pages that are otherwise just going in the recycling. Thanks for sharing!

  34. Myrna Mackenzie says

    What a fantastic, useful, green (and pretty) idea! I saw this via a link on Nag on the Lake and have a post set up on my own blog (going live at 11AM CST) today with a link back to your site. Thank you for sharing!

  39. Anonymous says

    I love this! My snowflakes all started looking the same when I tried on my own:) Needed a new perspective! And the newspaper idea… love that you can't see the advertisements after they're all cut up! Very Smart:)Thank-you very much!

  41. Anonymous says

    Thank you for such a clever idea! I can't wait to do this with my daugter over the weekend 🙂

  42. mwgrover says

    I tried my first one this morning, and I'm sure it's the best snowflake I've ever made! Use super-sharp scissors for best results and don't be afraid to make LOTS of deep cuts to get a nice lacy flake (this is where I always came up short – now I know!).

  46. Anonymous says

    I make paper snowflakes every winter, and use the same instructions you have listed here. You did a GREAT job explaining the steps!! Wonderful!

  47. Anonymous says

    Love this idea. I am volunteering at a nursing home—-rehab center. This would be a perfect and inexpensive craft to do there—hope you don't mind us "stealing" your idea—we will be sure to give you the credit though! Plus I have a grand daughter who LOVES to cut things. Now she can cut to her heart's delight and be productive also!

  51. High-Quality Mothering says

    Use this idea to send snowflakes to kids in Sandy Hook Elem in CT by January. Send off your snowflakes by January 12, 2013 to: Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514.