Quilling Snowflake Ornaments

Quilling is an inexpensive craft that anyone can learn with a simple tool, strips of paper and a dab of glue. Almost all shapes start with a circle, so it is a great technique for beginners.

Materials:

• Quilling paper:
  • 1/8” silver pearl
  • 1/8” powder blue pearl
  • 3/8” white pearl
• Quilling needle or corsage pin
• Fine-tip, bent-nose tweezers
• Ribbon
• Grid paper
• Thick craft glue
• Optional: slotted quilling tool
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Tape
• Toothpicks
• Wax paper

Quilling Techniques:

• Double roll: Glue two colors of quilling strips together at one end and roll as if one strip. Inner strip should be slightly shorter and glued about 1/4" down from end of outer strip. This leaves a single layer of outer strip to begin quilling around tool to simplify starting roll. When finished rolling, tear off any of the inner strip that extends beyond end of outer strip. Glue end in place.
   
• Quilling with a slotted tool: Thread one end of paper strip into tool's slot, making sure end of paper doesn't extend beyond slot edge. Turn tool while maintaining tension on paper strip. Remove roll by gently slipping tool from circle's center. Apply glue to end and press closed. Note: If slotted tool is difficult to remove from center of roll or paper comes out with tool, it is not threaded properly. Make sure end of paper strip is inside slot and not extending beyond edge of tool before starting roll.

Note:

• Use tweezers to place pieces precisely, holding pieces together while drying, and eliminate sticky glue on fingers.
• If you find it difficult to start rolling a strip of paper around tool, slightly moisten end of paper strip and try again.
• Put a small mound of glue on a piece of scrap paper. Use tip of a toothpick to apply glue.
• Use a thick, tacky glue when using pearl quilling paper.
• Only a small amount of glue is necessary to make shapes. A bit more is needed when gluing shapes and scrolls together. When using regular quilling paper, it takes 5-10 seconds for glue to dry after applying pressure to the end. When using specialty pearl paper it takes up to 30 seconds for papers to adhere. The more glue usee, the longer it takes.

Steps:

White Pearl Snowflake

1. Make pattern. Work on a sturdy, flat surface. On a sheet of graph paper, draw three 4" lines intersecting at center. This will help keep snowflake points even and straight. Place pattern under a sheet of acetate or wax paper and tape down at corners.
    
2. Quill shapes and scrolls. Use 3/8" pearl white paper strips. As you make shapes and scrolls keep them in order and in separate piles. Except where indicated, make six of the following:
   Center: 8" loose roll (make one)
   Loose roll: 4"
   Marquise: 6"
   Open heart: 4"
   T-scroll: 4"
   Loose roll: 5"
   Open heart with tail (make twelve 3 1/2" s-scrolls and glue in pairs
   Tight oval ring: 3 1/2"
    
3. Assemble. Begin in center, using snowflake photo as reference. Glue back of 8" loose roll to your work surface. When dry, pry up using tip of needle tool. Allow a few minutes drying time between each group of shapes.
   Glue side of a 4" loose roll to center piece. Repeat with remaining loose rolls around center, also gluing sides to each other.
   Glue point of a 6" marquise in space between glued loose rolls.
   Glue tops of open hearts to points of marquise shapes.
   Glue tops of t-scrolls in space between two marquises.
   Glue remaining loose rolls to end of t-scrolls.
   Glue tops of an open heart with tail to point of an open heart. Repeat with remaining pieces.
   Glue tight oval rings to bottoms of open hearts with tails. Let dry 30 minutes before prying glued center from work surface. Set aside.
    
4. Make hanger. To hold ribbon, make a 6" tight ring, using a pencil or needle tool handle. Apply an adequate amount of glue at seam. Glue tight ring to one point on snowflake. Let dry overnight. Thread a piece of ribbon through ring.

Blue & Silver Snowflake

1. Make pattern. Work on a sturdy, flat surface. Draw six 4" lines intersecting at center of a sheet of graph paper. This will help keep snowflake points even and straight. Place pattern under a sheet of acetate or wax paper and tape down at corners.
    
2. Quill shapes and scrolls. Use 1/8" blue powder pearl and 1/8" silver pearl paper strips. As you make shapes and scrolls keep them in order and in separate piles. Except where indicated, make six of the following:
   Center: 4" double tight roll (make one using blue for outer piece)
   Double, tight oval ring: 4" (use silver for outer piece)
   Tight roll: 6" (use silver)
   Open heart with tail: (make twelve blue 3 1/2" s-scrolls and glue in pairs)
   Marquise: 5" (use silver)
   Double tight roll: 5" (use blue for outer piece)
   Open heart: 3" (use silver)
   Double teardrop: 6" (use blue for outer piece)
   V-scroll: 3" (use blue)
   V-scroll: 4" (use silver)
   Tight oval ring: 3" (use blue)
    
3. Assemble. Begin in center, using snowflake photo as reference. Glue back of 8" loose roll to your work surface. When dry, pry up using tip of needle tool. Allow a few minutes drying time between each group of shapes.
   Glue end of tight oval ring to center. Repeat with remaining pieces around center.
   Glue silver tight rolls in spaces between glued tight oval rings.
   Glue tops of blue hearts with tails to point of tight oval rings.
   Glue silver marquises in spaces between blue hearts with tails.
   Glue double tight rolls to points of marquises.
   Glue points of silver open hearts to bottom of blue hearts with tails.
   Make a wrapped teardrop. Glue point of teardrop inside at fold of a 4" v-scroll, wrapping sides around teardrop and gluing curls together at round end. Glue pointed end of wrapped teardrop inside at fold of a 3" v-scroll. Glue pointed end of teardrop to open heart.
   Glue blue tight marquises to ends of wrapped teardrops. Let dry 30 minutes before prying glued center from work surface. Set aside.
    
4. Make hanger. To hold ribbon, make a 6" tight ring, using a pencil or needle tool handle. Apply an adequate amount of glue at seam. Glue tight ring to one point on snowflake. Let dry overnight. Thread a piece of ribbon through ring.