Make DIY Word Art Suncatchers with Festive Snowflake Designs

Instructions

NOTE: Due to the many variables in names, letters, and shapes possible, this is more of a design tutorial to inspire you rather than precise steps to follow.

STEP 1: GET MY FREE CUSTOMIZABLE SNOWFLAKE DESIGNS

First, download my Personalized Name Snowflake designs from my free library -- look for design #566. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.
TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.
In the download folder, there is a design kit SVG with elements we’ll use for the different ornament types.
There is also a folder with finished designs that you can cut the same way.
If you want to make a custom snowflake, the typeface is important. I’m going to show you how to design two examples: one using Andalusia and another using Biosha Script. After downloading your choice, follow the steps in my tutorial on uploading fonts to Cricut Design Space to add it before you start your designs.

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR CUSTOM FAMILY NAME SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENT

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. Open Cricut Design Space and click “New Project.”
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select the design kit SVG file, “personalized-snowflake-ornament-jennifermaker-SVG.svg.”
5. On the Prepare to Upload screen,  it will say “Cut image” with the design preview.
6. Click “Upload.”
7. Find your design in Recent Uploads and add it to the Canvas.
   
8. With the kit selected, click “Ungroup.”
9. Click “Text.”
10. Type the name you want to use.
11. Select the “Font” menu.
12. Click “System” to see your added typefaces and search for “Andalusia,” then click it.
    TIP: A typeface with connected letters, like a script font with pretty thick, consistent lines, will make this project much easier.
13. Close the Font pop-up.
14. Adjust the name’s size if you want. Letters about .9” tall worked well for me, but yours may vary depending on the name.
    
15. If some of your letters aren’t connecting, you can use glyphs. See my tutorial on how to find them and swap in glyphs for some of the letters to help more of them touch.
    
    
16. Or, click “Advanced” and “Ungroup to Letters” to adjust the letter spacing one by one. Make sure the outlines of the letters are smooth to make cutting easier.
17. Select the design so far and click Combine then Weld.
18. If you have a dot for an “i” click “Contour” and select the dot to remove it, then close the tool.
    
19. Click the Shapes icon and select a Circle.
20. Resize it to the right size for the dot, then drag it in place so it’s touching the top of the i.
21. Select the design so far and click Combine then Weld again.
    
22. Duplicate the text.
23. Select the copy, then type “60” into the “Rotate” field.
24. We’ll add arms to the snowflake going clockwise. Move the rotated text so its lower right edge slightly overlaps with the top right edge of the original word.
    
25. Duplicate the original horizontal word, and type “120” in the “Rotate” field.
26. Move this word so it touches the furthest right spot on the previous arm.
27. Select both of the rotated arms, then click “Align” and “Align Top.”
28. Select the original word, Duplicate it.
29. Click the copy and type “180” in the “Rotate” field.
30. Make its top left section slightly overlap the lowest right spot on the previous arm.
31. Select both of the horizontal arms, then click “Align” and “Center Vertically.”
    
32. Duplicate the original arm and rotate it to “240.” 
33. Position it to slightly overlap with the previous arm’s last letter.
34. Duplicate the original arm and Rotate it to “300.”
35. Position this arm to touch the last letter of the previous arm and the original.
36. Select this word and the previous one, then click “Align” and “Align Bottom.”
37. Make sure all the letters are connected.
    
38. To make it sturdier, use some of the swirl elements to fill in the space in the open V-shaped space at the top. Resize, rotate, and flip the elements as needed until the words are connected more.
    
39. Hold “Shift” and select all of the adjusted elements you used to fill in the space.
40. Click “Group” to keep them together.
    
41. Duplicate the adjusted elements once.
42. Rotate the duplicate to “60” and position it in the next open V going clockwise to connect those arms further from the center.
    TIP: You might have to slightly adjust the filler elements to touch the words, so check before continuing. Select the element in the Layers Panel to move one independently of the others.
43. Rotate the original to “120” and position it in the next open space.
44. Rotate the original to “180” and position it in the next open space.
45. Rotate the original to “240” and position it in the next open space.
46. Rotate the original to “300” and position it in the last open space.
    
47. To make a hanger, click the Text icon and type “o.”
48. Change the Font to “Cricut Sans” and close the pop-up.
49. Drag the “o” so it touches the ornament at the top where you want the hanger to go. Resize it if needed.
50. Select all the layers for the copy, then click “Combine” and select “Weld.”
51. Click “Contour.”
52. If there are any tiny cutouts that may be difficult, click them to have the machine skip making them.
53. Close the Contour pop-up.
    
54. This design works for a single layer ornament in metallic poster board.
55. If you want to make your ornament using medium weight cardstock, click “Duplicate” and change the copy’s color.
56. Then Duplicate it twice so you have 3 layers to glue together.
    
57. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
58. Click “Make.”
59. On the Prepare Screen, make sure your mats look correct
60. If needed, change the Material Size to match each paper you’re using.
61. Click “Continue.”

CUTTING

1. On the Make Screen, click “Browse All Materials.”
2. Search for and select the settings needed for the materials you’re using. These are the settings you can use for each material:
3. “Metallic Poster Board” with “More” Pressure
   • 65 lb. Cardstock - “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” Setting with More Pressure
4. Place your paper face up on a StandardGrip machine mat and use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered. 
5. Check that your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
6. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut. 
7. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.
   TIP: Before unloading the mat, gently lift a corner of the paper to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the “Go” button again to make a second cut pass in the same spot.
   
8. When it has finished cutting, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the paper.
   TIP: Be careful when removing intricate pieces. Use a spatula to carefully remove any intricate parts and a weeding tool to pop out any small pieces. If you have trouble with any of your cuts, check out my Cricut Tips & Tricks for Cleaner Cuts.

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR NAME SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENT

1. For the poster board version, cut a piece of ribbon about 6” long.
2. Loop it through the ornament’s hanger spot and tie it closed.
   
3. For the cardstock version, place two copies face up and one face down.
   
4. Add small dots of glue to the back of one piece, but don’t get too close to the edges.
   
5. Lightly place it on a faceup layer.
6. Before pressing it down, gently adjust the layers so they’re perfectly aligned.
7. Then press them in place.
8. Let the first pair dry.
9. Use the same process to glue the third layer on top of the previous one.
10. Let the ornament dry completely.
11. Cut a piece of ribbon about 6” long.
12. Loop it through the ornament’s hanger spot and tie it closed.
    
13. For the cardstock version with a background, add dots of glue to the back of the name design.
14. Then line it up on the face up background, centering it as best you can.
15. Let it dry.
16. Cut a piece of ribbon about 6” long.
17. Loop it through the ornament’s hanger spot and tie it closed.
    

VARIATION: TEXT ONLY SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENT

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. On a blank Canvas, click the “Text” icon.
2. Type the name you want to use.
3. Select the “Font” menu.
4. Select a connected typeface with reasonably thick lines.
5. If you downloaded Biosha Script and added it to Cricut Design Space, click “System” and search for “Biosha,” then click it.
6. Close the Font pop-up.
   TIP: If the bottoms of the letters slant, click the “Rotate” field and tap your up arrow until most of the letters are pretty straight so they’ll be easier to connect.
   
7. If the lines are thin, click “Offset” and set it to “.03” to thicken them a little. 
8. Click “Apply.”
   
9. Select the original and the Offset layer, then click Combine and Weld.
10. Duplicate the text once.
11. Select the copy, then click “Flip” and select “Flip Vertical.”
12. Move the flipped copy so it just barely overlaps with the bottom of the original word. 
13. Select both, then click “Align” and “Align Left.”
    TIP: If the letters’ edges don’t overlap, try repositioning or rotating them until they do.
    
14. Click “Combine” and “Weld.”
15. Duplicate the result.
16. Use the same duplication and rotation steps from the main tutorial to create and position the snowflake’s arms. Remember, increase the Rotation number by 60 each time.
17. Make sure all the letters are connected.
18. Select the entire design and click “Combine” and “Unite.”
19. If you want to make your snowflake in cardstock instead of poster board, Duplicate it twice and layer them during assembly.

VARIATION: NAME SNOWFLAKE WITH BACKGROUND

1. If you want to add a support background, follow Steps 1-19 in the above Text Only Snowflake Ornament.
2. Duplicate the design.
3. Select the copy, then click “Offset.”
4. Set the offset Distance and Corner type of your preference. I used .25.
   
5. Click “Apply.”
6. Select the Offset layer.
7. Click “Contour.”
8. Scroll down and click all the small cutouts to make the background mostly or entirely solid depending on your name and preference.
9. To make a hanger, click the Text icon and type “o.” Change the Font to “Cricut Sans.”
10. Drag the “o” so it touches the background at the top where you want the hanger to go on the offset. Resize it as needed.
11. Select both the hanger and background.
12. Click Combine and Unite.
    

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF!

Here is what my finished ornaments look like!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE WINTER WINDOW CLING DESIGNS

First, download my Winter Window Clings designs from my free library – look for Design #695. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the SVG folder, you’ll find seven winter window cling designs: a cup of hot cocoa, a gingerbread man, an ornament, a reindeer, and three different snowflakes.

There is also a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand.

Upload the files you need to Design Space to get started. I’ll demonstrate with the gingerbread man, but the steps are the same for all seven designs.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR GINGERBREAD MAN WINDOW CLING DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.
   NOTE: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select the SVG file of your choice.
   NOTE: I’ll pick the “cookie” version for the gingerbread man design.
5. Click “Open,” and then “Continue.”
6. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.
   NOTE: Each design has an offset layer on the bottom for the window cling and a details layer on top for the vinyl.
   
   
7. Click “Save” and give your project a name.
8. If you’d like to resize your design, click it, keep the Lock icon closed, and drag a corner of its bounding box to adjust it.
   
   
9. If you’d like to change the color of a layer to match the window cling or vinyl you’ll use, ungroup the design.
   
   
10. Then select the appropriate layer in the Layers Panel and use the Color Box to adjust it.
    
    
11. Your project is ready to cut!
    

CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
2. Click “Make.”
3. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected for your mats. I’m going to trim my materials to fit the designs, so I’ll keep the 12” x 12” setting so the whole mat is available.
   
   
4. Select the first mat again and click “Continue.”
5. On the Make screen, set the Base Material for your first mat. Mine is the window cling layer, and I used the “Stencil Film - 0.4 mm” setting with “More” pressure for both the Rainbow and the Holographic window cling.
   NOTE: These settings worked well for me, but since all machines are different, making some test cuts is a good idea.
   TIP: Changing the Pressure to “More” results in a cleaner cut.
   
   
6. Check the screen to see how large the window cling needs to be to cover the design plus an inch or so around it.
   NOTE: Each grid box is one inch. My window cling needs to be about 5” wide and 5” tall to cover my design.
7. Use a paper trimmer or scissors to trim your vinyl down to size.
   TIP: You can trim your vinyl closer to size and save the smaller pieces for other projects.
8. Place your window cling shiny side or texture side up on a purple StrongGrip machine mat so it covers the design area on your screen.
   
   
9. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
10. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
11. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
12. Press the flashing middle button to begin cutting.
13. When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cut went through the film. If it didn’t, press the middle button again to make a second pass in the same place.
    NOTE: Cuts should go through the material, but not the carrier sheet.
14. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the window cling and its carrier sheet.
    
    
15. When you get to your plain vinyl mat, remember to change your material settings. I used the “Premium Vinyl - Permanent Glossy” setting with "More" pressure for my Cricut, HTVRont, and Oracal vinyl.
16. Use a trimmer or scissors to cut a piece of vinyl down to size.
    NOTE: I’ll make mine 5” x 5” so the design will fit completely and still have extra space around it.
17. Place your vinyl shiny side up on a green StandardGrip machine mat so it covers the design area on your screen.
    
    
18. Repeat Steps 9-14 to load and cut your vinyl.
19. Use a weeding tool to carefully peel away the extra background vinyl from your vinyl decal. I like to work from larger to smaller sections during weeding.
    TIP: It can be easier to weed vinyl, especially small, detailed designs, while it is adhered to the machine mat.
    
    
20. Poke your weeding tool into each section of the design you want to remove. Gently lift it away from the design.
    TIP: Make sure you do not pull up any pieces you want to keep! If they come up, gently pat them back in place and try again.
    
    
21. After you’ve finished weeding, lay your window cling and vinyl decals face up.
    
    

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR GINGERBREAD MAN WINDOW CLING

1. Place your window cling layer on a machine mat, carrier sheet down, to keep it in place and flat.
   TIP: You can also use painter’s tape to secure it to your work surface.
   
   
2. Make sure your vinyl decal is face up on your work surface.
3. Cut a piece of StandardGrip transfer tape that is slightly larger than your vinyl decal.
4. Remove the backing from the transfer tape.
5. Hold your transfer tape in the shape of a “taco” sticky side down, then place the bottom of the “taco” onto the middle of your decal.
   
   
6. Smooth the transfer tape over the decal from the center outward and burnish it down using the Scraper Tool.
   
   
7. Flip the design over and gently peel off the backing from the vinyl.
8. Use the taco method to place the center of your decal onto the window cling layer.
   TIP: Gently lift the decal to try again if the vinyl isn’t aligned the way you want it.
9. Using your finger, rub from the center of the vinyl outward, tacking the vinyl into place on the window cling.
10. Take your time and use a scraper to press out as many bubbles as possible.
    
    
11. Once the vinyl is well-burnished, hold the cling down and gently remove the transfer tape, leaving the vinyl on the window cling.
    
    

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF

You now have a cute gingerbread man winter window cling to show off!

When you’re ready to decorate your window, peel the backing off the cling material, then affix the cling in your desired location!