Amazingly Easy Paper Snowflake Craft

Here is an easy paper craft to do with your kids and for winter decoration around the house. I can't claim credit for this ingenious idea but it was a lady that lives near me who taught it to us at a recent Super Saturday Craft Day. Here is what you need:

Paper - any paper will work. Computer paper is used for the tutorial.
Scissors or Paper Cutter
Ruler
Tape, Glue, Stapler or any other means to secure paper together. I've actually used hot glue before.


Here is what the final product will look like. I plan to hang them around the windows in my house.


Start with a piece of paper, any size will do, it will just change the size of the finished snowflake. I think that adding a few bigger or smaller to the decor would look great. If your paper is 8.5"x11" cut off the end so that the paper is square.


Next, fold the paper into a triangle.


Then, fold it in half one more time, so that total, you have folded it into a triangle twice.



Here is the tricky part, where you have to get this right or the piece won't work. Take your scissors and cut three long cuts starting from the double folded side running to the single folded side. (The longest edge of the triangle should not have folds at all, just the regular edge of the paper.) Stop your cut about half an inch before you reach the single folded side.


Next, start to unfold the paper triangle once it is cut. Here is what it should look like unfolded just once.


Here is what the paper should look like unfolded completely.


Next, take the smallest two cut triangles on the inside of the paper and secure them together with tape, hot glue, glue, or staples.


Next, turn the whole paper over and take the next largest two triangle cuts and do the same to secure them. Continue turning the paper over until all of them have been secured.


This is what a finished section looks like on its side.


Next we are going to secure several of these sections together. This is what it looks like when they are hooked together. In total, you will need to make six of these sections to complete a snowflake.


Take two sections and lay them next to each other like the photo.


Then secure them together in two spots. This photo shows the lower spot.


And this photo shows the upper spot to secure the sections.


Continue securing all six sections together and this is what you get! Instant snowflakes for your homes winter decor! Enjoy!

Very Easy DIY Plate Hangers

Here is a very easy, very inexpensive way to make plate hangers. This project cost me a total of $4.41 at the Home Depot. Here is a link to the Martha Stewart Living where I originally got the idea and instructions. Mine is a lot more detailed, trust me. But check it out anyway: http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/wire-plate-hangers

Here's what you need:

- 16-18 gauge wire (I actually used fence wire minus one accidental shattering)
- plates to be hung
- needle nose pliers
- wire cutters
- pencil
- measuring tape
- patience (it took me two hours to make them all and hang 11 plates)


Here is what they look like in my home after I finished. Don't mind the not-so-great picture. The awkwardly placed light is another project.


Once you've gathered all of your supplies, Martha tells you to cut two pieces of wire 3" longer than the diameter of the plate to be hung. I found that it was easier to cut an ample length and then trim them down when I had them placed.


Just had to show off my e-bay find. These Bavaria, Germany blue floral china plates. I think the set of 16 cost me around $20.00, if I remember right. Gorgeous!


I chose to hang my plates around the wall that surrounds my dining table. Inspiration struck after weeks of pondering what to do with these walls in my brand new house. Plates, genius!


Next step is to take one piece of wire and twist it so that you have one loop in the middle; this piece is used to attach the plate to the wall.


Next, bend the other piece of wire into a V-shape. Then, slide one end through the loop of the first wire piece. Cross the V wire over so that it is secure (see picture). The V should hang upside down and rest on the bottom of the loop.


Next, make sure that the loop or first wire is resting just under the lip of the plates base. This is vital if you want the rack to stay secure and not come loose. Now, turn the plate over and wrap the ends of the wire around to the front of the plate and trim them to a uniform length. Leave enough wire to twist into a decorative loop. This is where you use your creativity or lack thereof. It can't be done wrong. It is so genius that it still looks good. Trust me, it's Martha.


Okay, so here is the part where you have to be careful. Once you have finished making and attaching the plate to the hanger, make sure that it isn't loose. I got a little zealous around the 10th plate or so and shook a little hard and whoops! Broken china, sob! Now make those wire plate hangers and enjoy!

Cheap & Easy Home Decor

It's DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land - Check it out!!!!



This is as cheap and easy as it gets. I bought two frames from DI and spray painted them with paint I already had. I used some leftover scrapbook paper and cut them into three strips of equal size to cover the 8"x10" frames and taped them together. I hot glued two flowers I had already in my craft stuff and added a button in the middle. I added two large rub-ons that I had picked up at the latest Scrapbook Expo. and hung them on the doors. Voila! Instant home decor and cheap/easy craft that my oldest helped me put together. It took all of 15 minutes once the spray paint was dry.

Picture frame - $1.00
Letter rub-ons - $1.00
Total - $2.00 craft multiplied by 2 since I made one for each of my children = $4.00



By the way, don't you just love my doors. They have that beadboard look to them and I looooooovvvve them!