Reader Question: How Do You Cut Your Snowflakes?

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

Edited to Add on 13 Dec 2011: What To Do With Junkmail Snowflakes - Jar Lanterns

Edited to Add on 17 Dec 2011:  What To Do With Junkmail Snowflakes - Gift Toppers