I watched my third grade daughter create a Christmas ornament for a classmate several days ago, I thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

It was a classic snowflake cut out. You know, fold the paper, cut out little parts from the inside, open it up and there it is, an incredible, one-of-a-kind snowflake.

It occurred to me. “Why can’t I do that technique using my Wizardâ„¢. Use the dies to cut out the intricate shapes that are so lovely in a snowflake.”

Well, it worked. But it was not easy. I know, you all are used to whipping out your Wizardâ„¢, throwing a few dies down, having them cut on the first go around and moving on. Well, that was not how this process worked. But I really felt that sharing it with you was a MUST. So…gather your Wizardâ„¢, some dies (preferrably Shapeabilities® dies, not the ones in the plate form), some vellum or light-weight paper, your best little pair of scissors and your patience and let’s get started.

First, the result called “Wicked Beauty”

It features a storm we had several years ago that left 3 feet of snow around town and closed it down for several days.

Now, the challenge, to create the snowflakes. Do you have your supplies ready:

As you can see, here are some of the Die Templates I chose to use for this project: Doodle Parts, Stars 5, Butterflies 2 and the tiniest Paisley. There are lots of choices, just remember to really look at the shape that is being produced by the Die Template and don’t think about what it actually is.

To begin, fold a 7 inch vellum square:

Begin with the outer shape of the snowflake which will help define the overall look. I chose to cut the first with the points of the largest nested star:

Here is where the patience begins. After the first cutting pass on the Wizard, you’ll get just 3, maybe four layers cut…there are 8, yikes. remove the flaps that are cut from the snowflake:

Now replace the die on the snowflake and run it through to cut again. It will get more challenging for the tamplate to cut through the layers. That’s when you’ll rely on the trusty old scissors to finish the job.

The straight cuts are not so hard but but let’s get to the really interesting shapes. Note how I placed part of the star shape above the Die Template. That part will not be cut:

Again, remove as much of the vellum layers as you can. Repeat the cutting process in the Wizardâ„¢ and then working back and forth between Wizardâ„¢ and scissors, remove all 8 layers of the paper. Wow. It is beginning to take shape.

Now you get the gist. Keep adding shapes and being very careful. The Shapeabilities® Die Templates tend to want to slip off the vellum. I know this because I was challenged by slipping that cut out the entire center of my first big snowflake. So using a bit of low-tac transparent tape can help.

Now get to it. Create your own snowflake projects. Just take along some patience, scissors and your Wizardâ„¢.

Cheers to all, Eli

Question:

What do fun foam and pop cans (or soda cans or Coke cans, depending on the part of the country you live…) have in common? You’ll have to keep reading to find out…

We are back for another post. Beth did a super job showing you how to cut, emboss and stencil with cardstock and our Die Templates. Now, I want to show you a couple of tricks that go beyond paper, one hard and one soft…and no, we are not talking about tacos here.

That’s right: fun foam and pop cans!

(No we’re not making a drink cozy either)

Using Snowflake Wonder S4-085, I’m going to show you two cards to showcase how different materials will work in the Wizard.

Answer:

The amazing thing about both media: aluminum and foam, you get to use the normal, every-day sandwiches. To cut, layer the following from the bottom up:

Here are some hints for working with Aluminum:

Take your time working with the aluminum. It really can have sharp edges and small fragments hanging around. This is probably not a project for kids.
To cut up the can, using some hefty kitchen scissors (not your lovely paper or fabric ones) puncture the can near the top and cut around it so the top comes off.
Do the same for the bottom and then cut down the side.
You may want to trim off some of the snarly edges.

You are ready to go emboss now! It uses the same sandwich as paper too:

White Master Mat

Foam Snowflakes

Run it through the Wizard. The fun foam will cut on the first pass and have a hint of embossing but the aluminum may need another pass through. (It really depends on what type of pop you like to drink…lol)

Then, it’s time to put them together with some fun papers, maybe a sentiment, ribbons, who knows. Here are my interpretations…

Move over softie, here comes aluminum:

Aluminum Snowflakes