Paper Ornament #5

 

This week is my final ornament for the Advent Calendar project on Just Crafty Enough. I knew that I wanted to do a paper cutout for my final ornament and I wanted to do something that was easily adjusted for different skill levels.

This is a 3D snowflake ornament. Here is the master image. This is a clip art image so you can copy and use it for your personal use. You can enlarge or shrink the image for the size of ornament that you prefer. Please keep in mind the orientation of this image. The image is only symmetrical on the orientation that you see above. Notice the two vertical  bars in the above image--they must be vertical and not horizontal--for this to work.

Needed Materials

Two snowflakes
Sewing Needle
Thread (preferably clear)
Glue stick (optional)
Beads/crystals--top and bottom holes (optional)
Scissors/cutting utensil
Card stock

Assembling
There are three variations of this snowflake. These directions will be based on the snowflake above with the floating star on the inside.

Step 1: cut out the interior star from each of the snowflakes. Simply snip the star at each point where it touches the snowflake.

Snowflakes with the center stars cut out.
Notice that one is the corrent orientation
and the other is not.

Step 2: layer the two stars on top of each other. Trim each arm of the star so that it will freely float inside of the snowflake.

Step 3: thread your needle.

Step 4: layer the two snowflakes on top of each other. In the bottom arm of the snowflake, working from the inside of the opening to the point of the arm, start stitching down the middle of the arm until you reach the end. I use three stitches for my sample. If you don't use a bead for the bottom of your ornament, tie a knot at the end of the snowflake.

Notice that there are only three stitches
and the bottom has already been secured with
a knot and a bead.

Step 5: cut off the excess thread and needle.

Step 6: thread your needle at the opposite end of the thread.

Step 7: repeat sewing the opposite arm of the snowflake (the top arm). Pull the thread taut before tying off but not too tight that it pulls the paper out of shape.

Notice that the ornament lies flat.
This is how it will appear in your Advent Calendar bag.

Step 8: form a loop at the top of the ornament and tie off.

Step 9: match the two stars and place glue on one inside surface. Sandwich the two stars on opposite sides of the thread. Be sure that there is clearance between the star and the interior walls of the of the snowflake.

This is the final shape of the ornament before placing it in the Advent calendar bag. It will be placed flat inside of the bag.

Final Assembly
To make the flat ornament into a 3D ornament, simply fold the arms around the thread at 90 degrees to each other. Take your time since it gets a little fussy towards the top of each arm. You might want to get a flat instrument to help you along (bone folder, butter knife, exactly knife, etc.)

Optional Options

You can leave the center open in you want. In the version below, I placed a bead above and below the snowflake and left the center open.  In the other version below, I placed beads above, below and in the center of the ornament. I used beads because that is what I had on hand but crystals could easily be used.

Also, you can use colored papers, glitter papers, and any number of other items to color coordinate these ornaments. These also work on a larger version and as garland.