These DIY wood snowflakes is one of my favorite winter decor project. They are perfect for a Christmas fireplace mantel, fitting in with my rustic and simply decor. I also adore the fact that these are made by using scrap wood! Which makes these such a low cost idea!
Now that we are into November that means colder temperatures! Which my kids are excited about, and I am dreading. I adore fall, with it’s cooler 50 degree weather that is perfect for sweaters and cozy cuddles by the fireplace. But, we are heading into freezing status soon. It is a quick turnover here in Wisconsin from clear and crisp fall into freezing, take your breaths away cold in late fall. I cannot prevent the inevitable cold, so I join in and winter-fy my home. These wood snowflakes are a great way to add some winter, rustic and whimsy to a home this time of year!
I wanted to build something fun, and whimsical for Christmas this year. I have young kids, so playing up the magic of the holiday is big right now. There are a few wood snowflakes circulating on the interwebs. They are glorious and lovely. I decided to give it a crack myself. I managed to come up with a little bit of something different. I started with these long and skinny wood scraps. I purchased a bunch of them from my home improvement store on discount. They usually just hang out in the garage until a project comes up. They are perfect for my snowflakes.
I started by laying out the pieces to see how big I wanted this. Mine are big, about 2 ft long.
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To get the smaller and skinnier details I cut the long boards in half long ways. Then cut them down to smaller sizes. Arranging them on each board.
To achieve the thicker edge pieces on the outside I measured how long I wanted them and cut them at a 45 degree angle.
This allows them to be snug right against each other. And because the skinnier boards did not get 45 degrees it changes up the visual a little.
Here is all of the pieces lined up on their respective boards. None of it is nailed together yet.
I was not sure what to do for the center, Dale and I just started moving smaller boards around the center and seeing what worked. Then it all clicked. We cut four 45 degree boards, which would make two L shapes.
Then to make a point put two 45 degree angles on each side of one small board. Making a pointed peek on two of them.
The next part is to assemble it. We assembled it one board by one board. Adding the detail to each board. This way each of the angles would be on the same point of the boards. Using a air nailer and nailing each portion in. A air nailer was needed because my boards are on the thin side. A regular nail and hammer could have split the boards.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6, even out the long boards and nail them together.
Step 7, arrange the center detail
Step 8
Once it was put together I decided I was done. The plan was to paint it white, snow is white, snowflakes are white. It all made sense in my mind. However, seeing them rustic in their soft, light wood glory made them pop so much more.
The light wood really compliments all of the pops of color that are used during the holiday season.
I think with the size of them, they are meant to be a statement piece. Painting them white would have made them blend in. I am also really feeling the rustic and natural element in home decor right now. My Christmas decor is no different. These are pictures from last years Christmas, you can bet these beautifies will be font and center this year as well!
I tried to not make the detailing look like arrows. Which was difficult, placement of this is particular to an individuals preference. But, with the angles a lot of the ways done has a “arrow” feel to it. I think doing different sizes of the end pieces helped with that.
I am so happy we played around with the arrangement and got the middle the way it is. That to me is what breaks up the arrow feel of it. Nature is beautiful and hard to replicate. Doing it with wood and creating large, oversized snowflakes can be tricky. I think I made it work, I am really happy with how they turned out. And contrary to what two people visiting my home have said upon seeing them “Are you going to paint them white?” I like the natural wood color as well. Nothing wrong with painted snowflakes. It just worked. I think each project has a plan of attack. Then once in the zone things change. Going with the flow is part of DIYing and home decor.
I adore the simple results of these DIY wood snowflakes! As I have said recently, decorating for each season can get expensive, but doing things with scrap wood or even simply DIYing it can really keep those costs down.
As you can see, the creation of these DIY wood snowflakes had a lot of steps, but they were all very basic. I am thinking this year I might make some of these, but bigger for my outdoor decor. Yes, It is the beginning of November and I am planning and scheming for my Winter/Christmas decor. Just how I roll. I love the holiday season and have lots of fun things in store for my home, my family, and you lovelies reading my blog!
Have you even started thinking of Winter/Christmas decor?
This is amazing, they are perfect size for your fireplace. I want them! I may have to try to create them, I might paint them white though.
They are the perfect size for my mantel, that is the great thing about creating it myself. I considered painting them white, but decided to leave it natural. I may choose to change it later. Good luck making your own!
Love this idea! Thanks for linking up with us over at the #homematters linky party! We hope to see you again next Friday!
Thank you! I will be back to link up.
I'm totally in love with this! So cute. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you being a part of our party, and I hope to see you on tonight at 7 pm. We love partying with you!
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Thank you for sharing this!
What a cute project. You could even make these extra large and use them as lawn ornaments. Ideas, they be a-turnin'… 🙂
~Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai
#HomeMatters
That is a awesome idea! My front yard game is lacking currently. A great way to add a little something to it. I like your ideas!
Your snowflakes are really creative. I like the design and I agree that they are nice without the white paint. You could always paint them when you are ready for a change.
Thank you so much! Have a Merry Christmas!
Wow you are on a roll with all these holiday crafts, love this snowflake! pinning it
Maria
I love how simply beautiful those snowflakes turned out!
I can see us making one to add above our fireplace, it would be the perfect touch!
Okay, those are brilliant! They are so cute and so creative! I’m going to have to try making one.
Those are adorable! Love them!
These are great! I would love to make a bunch and hang them off my fence outside for the holidays! I love this idea!
This is a really great tutorial and a great idea. It is not too early to start thinking about Christmas decorations.
That looks terrific! It looks as good or better than some of the decorations I’v eseen sold in stores.
If only my husband would allow me to use electrical tools LOL This look great by the way.
I love how these snowflakes turned out! I’m always looking for large decor that looks nice on the mantel. Pinned.
How fun to make your own snowflakes. These would be fun to do in a classroom too!
Such a great project! I wish I had the skills to do something like this! Love it!
Oh I am totally going to make a couple of these! We have a ton of scrap wood laying around and these are super cute and easy!
Well these are cool! I definitely like these 🙂
I love this idea. I am going to look in our wood scraps to see if we have enough to make a couple. Thanks
These are adorable. I love that you left the wood unpainted.
I absolutely love them!! I always tend to stain/paint any wood projects but I’m so loving the look of the natural wood!
These are awesome! I have so many little scraps of wood, I definitely need to make some. And I’m glad to see that I am not the only one who uses their tables saw as a work table 🙂