Cloverflakes - Lovensthelife

Welcome to the collection, CLOVERFLAKES. Same story, different holiday. You didn’t think I would let a holiday pass without playing with paper, glitter, and Mod Podge did you?

It all started to battle the January feelings of blah and post holiday depression. I transformed my ornament tree into a snowflake tree. This snowflake tree has been a bright spot in my day as I sit and drink my coffee in the mornings. The snowflakes sparkle and shine in the light and move slightly when the forced air comes on. It is almost like real snowflakes fluttering as they fall. I wasn’t ready to take them down for Valentine’s Day so I created heartflakes to add.

Need these snowflakes to brighten your winter? Tutorial is here: Grade School Paper Snowflakes on Glimmer and Glitz.
If you like the tree, you can make it here: Our Ornament Tree ~ So Simple and inexpensive to make ~
Want to get started super early for Valentine’s next year? Here are the Heart shaped snowflakes (Heartflakes)

Cloverflakes are a ridiculously simple and fun way to add some St. Patty’s cheer to your space. Out of all the flakes, I think Cloverflakes might be my FAVORITE!

OK, lets get started!

Cloverflake Supplies

Scissors
Pencil
Paintbrush
Paper
Shamrock template
Fishing line or ribbon of choice
Wax Paper or other table protection
Mod Podge (Glossy)
Buffalo Snowflakes and/or Glitter

You can get Mod Podge at nearly any craft store or even at the Dollar Tree. However, I didn’t have as much luck finding the Buffalo Snowflakes. I think these actually came from a Joanns in Montana. You can also usually find them on Amazon.

How to make Cloverflakes

Cutting your Shape

You will cut out your Cloverflake base shape first which if you haven’t figured yet is a clover. I used a printable as I guide and then drew a chunkier version on light cardboard. I cut that out and it became my template.

Folding & Cutting your Design into the Cloverflakes

Once you have cut out your desired size clovers you are ready to start folding. There are several ways you could fold this and no set number on how many folds you make before you cut. I folded and cut two different ways.

First, fold the clover in half long ways. Then fold it in half again short ways. Cut away.

You can also just fold it in half and make cuts that way as well.

I just cut at random because I like the surprise when you open it all up. Below I have included two cut examples and what the final Cloverflake looks like.

Adding Glimmer to the Cloverflakes

A Little About Material Options

You do have options here. I did some experimenting when making the Heartflakes with Elmer’s + water or spray glue instead of Mod Podge and different glitters. You can see the differences here: Heart shaped snowflakes (Heartflakes)

My favorite combo remains the Buffalo Snowflakes and glossy Mod Podge. However, I had to also break out a little gold glitter for the Leprechauns.

Mod Podge and Glitter/Buffalo Snowflakes Process

Ok, grab your freshly cut Cloverflakes, Mod Podge, a paintbrush, and your glitter of choice. Make sure to lay down a protective layer to protect your surface. I used wax paper.

Start by applying your Mod Podge to the clover with a paintbrush.

Take your glitter and sprinkle it over your Mod Podge painted Cloverflake.

Then, carefully lift up the Cloverflake and move it to a clean area on the wax paper so it is less likely to stick down.

They did curl up a little bit. When this happened with the Heartflakes I thought it was because I had used Elmer’s and water instead of Mod Podge. However, since the Cloverflakes also curled some it leads me to believe it is the paper. With the snowflakes I used printer paper with the Heartflakes and Cloverflakes I used construction paper.

Regardless of the reasons, it is an easy fix. Once they dried, I just stacked them up with wax paper between them and put something heavy on them for the night.

Hanging the Completed Cloverflakes

I simply hung the Cloverflakes on fishing line as I didn’t want to see any ribbon where I was hanging them. However, you could get really fun and creative here with decorative ribbon if you wanted.

Decorating with your Cloverflakes

There are so many ways to add these to your home decor. Since I set out to give my snowflake tree a little love for St. Patrick’s Day I hung mine there. Some I hung up with the fishing line and some I just hung over the branches.