Elegant Snowflake Star Ornament

When I create a design, I usually plan to use it on a card or a page.  My favorite types of designs to make are medallions and snowflakes - the more complex the better!  I started out to make this design as a card topper but decided it would be pretty as an ornament to hang on the tree.

This is another design that I created in the Silhouette Studio software.  After years of stretching Design Studio and the Gypsy as far as I could to get the results I wanted, it is such a pleasure to work with the Silhouette program.  In just a few clicks I can do things that would take a lot of tedious work to do with the Cricut software.  I actually designed this star with five layers, however, as I cut it I decided to use only four of them.

All of the cardstock I used is metallic and shiny - perfect for hanging on a tree and reflecting the lights.  Here are the first two layers assembled.  I can easily create blackouts of the shapes I draw and gradually build up a design with colors in the Silhouette program.  The cardstock I used here is from American Crafts in the Foil pack.

The third layer is also from American Crafts but it has a different texture - ribbed instead of linen.  In this layer you can clearly see the star center.  My original design added another color for the center section of the star but I thought it was getting too busy so I eliminated that layer.  You can try something similar with a Cricut image by starting with a lace shape and creating new layers by using the "hide contour" feature to fill in symmetrical areas of the pattern. 

The final lacy layer on top adds all of the sparkle!  This is the Dazzle cardstock from DCWV - I am totally smitten with the Dazzle papers for the ease of cutting in my machines and the incredible sparkle.  The ornament really catches the light and your eye is drawn to it on the tree.

I added a simple ribbon loop to hang the ornament.  You can assemble a second set of images and place them back to back for an ornament that will look good from every angle.  It will be eight layers thick and very sturdy when finished.  You can also cut just one extra bottom layer and add it to the back to cover the ribbon and create a shiny solid back for the ornament.

Here is another view of the ornament hanging in the tree (I borrowed a spot on the Santa tree in the front hall for the photo).

I tried to capture the intense sparkle in these photos but I think you really have to see the Dazzle paper in person to understand how brilliantly it shines!

I know that many of you have written to me to ask about some of the other options available for die cutting machines.  I have a lot invested in Cricut machines and cartridges and I will continue to use them for some of my projects.  Unfortunately, the Cricut plan seems to be to continue to limit the creativity of users by requiring that all design work be cartridge based.  In other programs, you are free to draw your own shapes (this design started from a simple squiggle) and you can create truly unique designs.

I realize that many people prefer to simply cut designs that someone else has created - and find great satisfaction in choosing the colors and papers, assembling the cuts and finding creative uses for the images.  I enjoy doing this as well, but I am most fascinated by creating new designs.  If you are also interested in designing your own images, let me know via comments or email.  I am thinking about starting up my online classes again next year and, if there is enough interest, I might do some sessions on working with the Silhouette software.

Don't forget to leave a comment over on THIS POST if you would like a chance to win some of the ribbon I used to make these tags.  I'll post the lucky names on Friday morning.  I checked the weight at the Post Office and have the envelopes stamped and ready to mail as soon as I receive addresses from the winners.

The dining room tree is finished.  I had to use some Glossy Accents to fix a broken glass icicle (it worked like a charm!).  A box full of wooden items for Christmas projects that I ordered with the illusion of having enough time to make them before next week arrived today - I think they will have to be for next year!


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