Sunday, November 27, 2011

Ombre Snowflake (and basic quilling tutorial)

I really love the ombre trend that's flying around the fashion and blog world these days! I thought I'd try my hand at a quilled, ombre snowflake. And since there was a request for some basic quilling tips, I thought I'd throw those in too.* Quilling takes a bit of practice, and a lot of patience, but in the end is not nearly as complicated as it looks.

Your basic needs are a quilling tool (a pen-shaped dealy with a slotted end), a pin (for applying delicate dots of glue), glue (I like Aileen's fast-drying glue for all my paper crafts. I've also been known to use Mod Podge...basically you want a any glue that dries quick and clear), and of course quilling paper.
This is quilling paper. It can be purchased in a variety of colors at most craft stores for $3-$5. Most the time it comes an 1/8" wide. You can cut your own, but it's a lot of brain damage to cut 1/8" strips whilst making sure that the edges are straight!
Step 1:
Hold the quilling tool like so, and slip one end of the paper through the slot.
(And please ignore my water-stained desktop.)
Step 2:
Twist the paper while keeping a reasonable amount of tension until you have a tightly-wrapped coil on your tool.
Step 3:
While holding the coil tightly, slip it off the tool.
You want to hold the coil tightly enough that it stays together,
but not so tight that it bends.
Step 4:
Release the coil so that it relaxes into a spiral shape.
This part can be somewhat trial and error,
as you figure out how tight or loose you want your shape to end up.
More on that in a minute.
Step 5:
Pick your spiral up, and using your pin, dab a little bit of glue on the end.
You only want enough glue to get it to stick.
If you use too much, you'll have a gluey mess.
Step 6:
Pinch the coil/spiral into the shape you want.
In this picture, I pinched only one end to make a "raindrop."
Here's what I meant about how loose or tight your shape will end up. These two raindrops were made using the same length of paper, however, I let one relax into a larger coil, so the over all shape turned out larger and looser.
Step 7:
Build from the inside out.
Before you glue the pieces to each other
(using small dabs of glue where needed),
play around with them so that they're arranged just how you want them.
There's no taking them apart once they're glued.

(The "raindrops" here were hardly relaxed at all, just enough to give a little detail in the middle.)

Ahh, the subtle color change. It looks so fresh and wintery!
(Is that an oxymoron?)


*This is far from a comprehensive quilling tutorial. I hesitate to call it a tutorial at all, but at least you get the idea of how quilling works. If you're interested in a more complete tutorial, you can find a lot of them by doing a google search for "quilling."

Linked up:
DIY Showoff
Sugar Bee Crafts
Mommy by day, Crafter by night
My Girlish Whims
36th Avenue
Passionately Perfect
The Artsy Girl Connection
Sassy Sites
Tatertots and Jello

22 comments:

Andrea @Oasis Accents said...

Absolutely beautiful!! You have far more patience than I do. Would love for you to share this at Sunday's Best!

http://www.oasisaccents.com/sundays-best-party/

The White City Project said...

I just love quilling and your snowfake is lovely! I'm inspired to pull out my papers and quilling tool and get to work!

the cape on the corner said...

oh my gosh, that is absolutely amazing! using snowflakes as my holiday decor is my favorite thing, as it speaks to the season and not just one holiday. gorgeous!

Rosie said...

The patience this must have taken. I bow down to you!

It would be amazing if you would link this to my Christmas link party happening now at:

http://twelvecraftsofchristmas.blogspot.com

Hope to see you there!

Rosie x

Anastasiaw2008@gmail.com said...

Beautiful creation!!

Carissa said...

Wow--your snowflakes are really beautiful! Have you considered selling these on Etsy?

Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims said...

So pretty! I admire your patience, seems like that would take awhile!!

I'd love for you to link this up to my link party, Your Whims Wednesday! http://www.mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/2011/11/your-whims-wednesday-35-and-features.html

Marilyn said...

LOVE this!!!! . So creative and beautiful. Looks really awesome. : )) I would LOVE if you could please stop in and linky this terrific feature via my Pin’Inspirational Party happening today pweease… http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/pininspirational-thursdayslinky-party.html .. THANK YOU SO MUCH.. Wishing you an incredible start to your weekend.. Sincerely ~M

Unknown said...

WOW! This is Ahhh-Amazing! I have to say the most creative Christmas decor I have seen so far! awesome great! PLEASE come link up today over at Passionatelyperfect.com! Your newest fan!!

Christina {Designing by Numbers} said...

Just beautiful - I really love how your snowflake turned out, and you make quilling seem super simple!

Amazing work; thanks so much for the inspiration!

Take care,
Christina
www.designingbynumbers.com

Unknown said...

Ombre and quilling. Two gorgeous things in one inspired project.

Thank-you so much for joining our Pin'Inspiration party. Would love for you to hop over and grab a button.

Happy new follower.

EvA. . . said...

wow very pretty! i've gotten away from quilling for a while now but i think you've inspired me to start again! love it very cute!
happy new follower :)

Rachel said...

wow - this is amazing! What a gorgeous idea and eve better execution. This is perfect for snowflakes - I could see a whole tree full of these!

Joy@Thrifty Parsonage Living said...

Very pretty, love the color and details. I wouldn't have the patience
to make one myself but a friend made a pretty plaque with some for me.

Gwen @ The Bold Abode said...

Quilling is awesome! Those are quorgeous!

Aubree said...

Amazing! I am inspired to try this! PINNED.

Unknown said...

wow, it's absolutely gorgeous. You did an awesome job.

Julianna said...

Gorgeous! I would love for you to stop by and link up your ornaments to my 25 Days of Christmas Ornaments linky party.
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-christmas-ornaments-linky.html
Thanks,
Julie

Julie said...

This is really gorgeous! I love paper crafting but one thing I have never tried is quilling, it always looks so fantastic that I am a little nervous to try it!!

Julie

Kristina Clemens said...

This is so awesome! I've always wondered how this was done. Such a great read! =)
Kristina J.

Kristina @ ReMadeSimple said...

Wow that is amazing. I really love it!

Unknown said...

Hey there, thanks again for sharing last week at Pin'Inspiration Thursday. You are one of our features! Would love for you to drop by and grab a button.