Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Snowflake Crystal Fan Ornament

(Use 12x12 paper stock for most efficient cutting, 
3 shapes per sheet.  Lighter weight card stock 65 lb. 
or lighter is recommended.) 
Create a flurry of snowflakes for your interior space – 
or hang a single for just a hint of winter, if preferred – 
with this festive dimensional folded ornament. 
Hang from a peg, add to a Christmas or winter tree, 
dangle under a chandelier, or as a wreath 
or swag focal point. 
Cut 6 folded star point sections, (more may be
needed with heavier less flexible paper). 
Fold into a double point unit and assemble into 
a 360 degree “fan” and voila! A Snowflake! 
Add a stud or jewel to cover the center intersections 
if desired. Or add the spiky snowflake accent shape
 included with the cut file. 
Special shape with loop hole for 2 “fans” sections 
will provide for hanging. 
Snowflake measures approx. 8.375” diameter x 
2” deep when fully assembled. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
The full snowflake as shown in thumbnail photo
requires 6 sections when using 65 lb. or lighter stock.
Add one or more sections for heavier stock, or
when reducing the size.
A snowflake point fan regular section (4)
B & C snowflake point fan sections
with punch holes that will line up back-to-back
and allow a twine or narrow ribbon loop (1 each)
When cutting, NOTE that when strategically
placed on the 12x12 cutting mat can be cut
to efficiently produce 3 of the fan shapes,
as shown on the Silhouette cut mat screen below.
2. Identify the two punch hole alternate shapes;
one will have the hole punches in the intermediate
height end point sections (top), and the other will
have the hole punch in the center intermediate
height point (bottom).

3. Prepare the fan sections in the same manner,
regardless of whether they include the punch holes.
A) Bend the 4 vertical perforation lines that run through
the shortest points back, as "mountain" folds.
B) Bend the 2 vertical perf lines that run through
the center of the tallest points forward as "valley" folds.
C) NOTE that there are perf cuts that define the end
seam allowance that are NOT perforation folds --
these should remain unfolded, but instead used
only as guide marks.
D) Bend the bottom tab back as a "mountain" fold
(NOTE that the fan section here is shown from BACK.)
Make sure that all folds are crisp and complete
through the crystal points.

4. Begin preparing the point fan sections by laying
the shape face down on work surface, then bending
the tall shape vert perf lines toward center so they
lie flat on top of the "front" section, with folds abutting.
5. Next, bend the "seam allowance" side toward
center, then . . .
. . . bend the right half toward center so that . . .
. . . it overlaps the seam allowance and aligns as
closely as possible along the perf cut guide marks.
NOTE that for one of the punch hole fan sections
the half- and full punch holes will align at
the joined seam.
6. Open the fan folds to allow permanent and strong 
dry adhesive tape to be applied on the underside
of the non-seam allowance side. Reposition and
join the seam.
7. Apply adhesive tape along the underside of the bottom
tab, then fold it upward to attach to back panel securely.

Complete folding for all fan point sections.
8. If needed, use a folding tool to make sure folds
are crisp and complete.
9. Prepare to assemble the first two folded fan units,
check out how they will fit together back to back 
first unit with seam (left), and non-seam front second
unit. It may be a good choice to work with the hang hole
units first.
Apply strong adhesive tape down the CENTER only,
of one of these units, and . . .
. . . across the bottom.
10. Working carefully, place the two units being joined
back to back, aligning the side folds and bottom folds
of the two units as precisely as possible before
the adhesive grabs. Then apply pressure at center
and along bottom where the adhesive tape is.

11. Continue in the same manner to apply adhesive tape,
align and join the next unit to the assembly . . .
. . .and add subsequent units until all 6 are joined.
12. Apply adhesive to one of the end units, then
pull the assembly around in fan fashion to align
and join the first and final folded units together.
Ensure that this joint is fully secure by reaching
fingers down inside to apply fingertip pressure
along the center and bottom edge seams.
13. Finish by threading twine or ribbon length through
punch hole(s) at top, and gluing the snowflake accent
on front or back. For the sample, the mini snowflakes have
been overlaid with a snowflake cut from Silhouette's 
double-sided adhesive sheet drenched in micro glitter.
(The same glitter was also sprinkled over the snowflake
that has been spritzed with spray adhesive.

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