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Home / Holiday Decorating / Napkin Snowball Craft

Napkin Snowball Craft

Holiday Decorating, Kitchen, Tutorials, Uncategorized

Hey all!
So like I promised, here’s the quick, simple, TOTALLY inexpensive, decorative dinner napkin snowball tutorial! from my Christmas Shelf Decorating post! 🙂

Okay… so the first thing you want to start off with, are white dinner napkins.
I used  the ones that measured about 7 inches square.
Open up 4 napkins, all the way, so it looks like the napkin on the right.
THEN… cut the 4 layers of napkins, into fourths… like the napkins on the lefts.

Okay… got that? 🙂
So now… you have these 4 squares, made up of 4 layers each.
Next… you’re going to DOUBLE UP these… to make just TWO piles of napkins.
So… now you have TWO sets of napkin squares, made up of 8 layers each.
Next, you are going to just take some scissors and scallop the edges, like so.
It doesn’t have to be perfect, but just more, rounded.
Now take each set of scalloped napkins… one at a time,
and accordion them, like this.

Then, to keep it together… wrap some wire around it, and twist it tight.
Floral wire works great for this 🙂

 Now take your second accordion folded napkin set, and twist it side by side, with your excess wire…

Like this…

So now they look like this!
After you get to this point, it’s all pullin’ and fluffin’ from here 🙂
Hold onto the wire base… and just start pulling the layers of the napkins apart, and TOWARDS you.

You will see the ball form start to take place, as you get more and more layers pulled apart.
ALSO pull apart the actual napkin SKIN layers.
you know… those really THIN layers of the individual napkins.
This will help the “ball” look more full.

If you get big gaps, like this, below…
or want to force your napkin to have a bend, that it’s not making naturally…
Just take the piece of napkin that you want to manipulate…
fold it, crease it… or bring the two pieces together…
Grab some double sided tape…
and place a small strip, on one side of the napkin… and pinch softly.
This will help your napkin STAY fluffed the way you want it too.
I also used the scotch double sided tape to keep my “snowballs” from falling off their candlesticks, because they are really light.
Just place a few strips to the base of each candle stick, and then lightly set the napkin ball on top.
Things to keep in mind:
* This project IS made from napkins… so the layers will be delicate.
Try not to pull them too hard, when separating the layers.  They WILL rip.
* The size of the “ball” will depend on how large your initial square is, to start.
you can also do smaller versions of these 🙂
Like shown here.
* If you feel that your napkin ball isn’t “fluffy” enough… try adding more napkin layers, at the beginning.
Some napkins have more “internal layers” then others.
* Double stick tape is your friend, for this project. lol. I used most of my double stick tape at the base of the layers… to keep them sticking together.
These are a really fun way to add some “fancy and fluff” to your Christmas decor, for only a few bucks! 🙂
You can try some out on this fun idea, or use it for any OTHER crafts you have going on, during this crafty holiday season!

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Comments

  16. Dee says

    LOVE these! I write a wedding blog and I'm posting a bunch of winter wedding ideas right now. Would you mind if I featured this? Thanks a bunch!

    Reply

  17. Unknown says

    So very cute and easy. Scotch Double Stick tape and I have been besties for years now. I'd be happy to make room in my home for another roll!

    Reply

  22. NStokes says

    From the picture the flowers look like generous gorgeous white candles. I was fooled until I read the blog. Thanks for sharing this neat idea.

    Reply

  24. Genevieve Richer says

    WOW! So cool! Great tutorial! LOVE your Point of Prez! The white is just gorgeous!
    Sharing on my fb fan page!
    Genevieve =)
    celebrate2da.com

    Reply

  26. Jessica says

    These are fabulous, but the whole room all together is sooo gorgeous I can hardly stand it. I decorate very primitive country but girl you have me re-thinking my decision. Wow I wonder how impressed my husband would be if I told him we had to re-do our entire house?

    Reply

  29. Tanya says

    Woohoo! I was just making origami stars last night and had trouble getting them to sit at the proper angle on my shelf…double stick tape would have been perfect!

    Beautiful napkin balls!

    Reply

  30. Unknown says

    As usual, you turn something bland into something amazing. Love the whole display. I am featuring this and your branches at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

    Reply

  31. Sammi says

    I love these….think I'll make some and hang from the ceiling of our bar area! I have a love/hate relationship with double-side tape….I love using it, but HATE it when it is used to wrap MY Christmas gifts…do you know how hard it is to sneak a peek at your gift when it is sealed with double-side tape??? I do!

    Reply

  41. Kristen says

    Seriously, it may sound silly, but this giveaway is awesome. I use double stick tape up like crazy this time of year.

    Those snowballs are so fun…way better than the kind the boys like throwing around at me outside in about 6-8 weeks!

    Reply

  42. LilBlossom says

    Those are gorgeous! However, the word "delicate" was mentioned so many times, that I won't be trying these at home this year! *lol*

    Reply

  52. Liz says

    These are so darn cute! Thanks for posting the tutorial, I definitely want to make some of these. I'm thinking that really big ones would look cool hanging from the ceiling.

    Reply

  61. Eloisa says

    Adorable! I have an awkward space in my kitchen about the same size as where your shelves are after much thought (hutch, cabinets, pantry?) decided to do some shelving like yours. I live in a small town home and I don't have a lot of space for holiday decoration, but I love the way you switch upyourshelves during theyear.thanks for all the amazing photos from your home. They are truly an inspiration!

    Reply

  67. The Brownings says

    Love it! I used tissue paper to make some of these for my sons bday and never even thought of using napkins! So clever and adorable…as always from you!!!!

    Reply

  73. Anonymous says

    It's amazing how you can take something so simple and what one wouldn't consider necessarily pretty and turn it into something beautiful and pleasing to the eye.

    autum22(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  79. Anonymous says

    I did the same thing using tissue paper. This is also pretty much the same process to create the Martha type pompom balls, except you round your edges after you accordian fold the paper.

    ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/

    Reply

  85. Hilarie says

    What a great idea, I would have never thought of doing this. I love your Christmas decor it looks amazing!
    hhhilarious(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply

  87. Jo says

    I love these! I think will make the perfect addition to some of the christmas decor ive been working on!

    Double sided tape is really a lifesaver some times isnt it? I love it!

    Reply

  91. Carrie @ Dittle Dattle says

    What an easy project that anyone can do!!! Even the kiddos:D and think of all the spin off craft ideas you could with this one idea! You are amazing 😀

    Oh how I could use some more Scotch two sided tape. Love the stuff!

    Reply

  92. Kathy@DandelionsandDustBunnies says

    I love double sided tape. I buy this in bulk at Sam's becuase I use it so much. It's my best friend when making handmade cards. Thanks for the tutorial on the napkins.

    Reply

  94. ~alicia says

    LOVE this! I have made these out of tissue paper, but never out of napkins…they will look great with my silver and white "nativity" set up! Thanks!!!

    Reply

  96. A Mom Like You says

    I Luv double stick tape. I ran out of tape Christmas Eve last yr. I busted out my craft box & used my double stick tape to wrap last minute gifts. The packages looked AMAZING!! The snowballs look very cute. it might be a nice craft for my 6yr old to help w/ during turkey break.

    Reply

  97. Tyler and Allison says

    What an awesome way to decorate! I love this and I can't wait to make my own! Now I just need some double sided scotch tape. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply

  99. Stephanie says

    Thanks for the tips I recently made large ones out of tissue paper and have been having trouble getting them to stay fluffed the way I would like them too. Tape is a great idea.

    Reply

  111. The Dark Family says

    So cute! I'm glad these are so simple. Definitely gonna try them this season. and I love how you're giving away double sided tape… you're so cute!

    Reply

  116. Darci says

    Adorable!! I love the idea…AND your candle sticks!!! Where did you get them?
    ps…I'm in the middle of a pantry remodel thanks to your amazing ideas and gorgeous pantry! Thanks for the tips!
    darciday[at]hotmail.com

    Reply

  121. Tanya says

    This is awesome!!! I am going to have to make some for around my house 🙂

    Thank you for the chance to win the Scotch tape. I use that stuff for EVERYTHING around my house, lol.

    Reply

  127. Becky says

    will you be posting while you are away on vacation during Christmas? I am not sure I can go an entire week without some fun post from you!!!!

    Reply

  130. Jessa says

    First: I love the snowball craft! It looks like a giant magnolia! Second: Your Christmas display is so elegant. I love it! I have already started on mine too. Before I'm done it's going to look like Christmas exploded at my house. Third: Double sided tape is my best friend. I use it for everything. I'm not sure I could function like a normal human being without the stuff. True.

    Reply

  131. Ashlee Marie says

    your decor is always so pretty! Seriously, when I finish my home remodeling could you come over and tell me what to do to make it look good! I'm a construction hardware store kind of gal, the pretty stuff? Not so much!

    Reply

  132. Leila says

    Shelley, I have to say, these inexpensive, yet super cute crafts are my absolute favorites! It shows just how ingenious & resourceful you are. Nicely done. I just ran out of double sided sticky tape, so this contest is just in time 🙂

    Reply

  133. Aubree says

    Ok… so I am loving the soft texture next to the rough, old window decoration… and the green, blue, & silver colors are fab!

    Reply

  136. The Mathis Family says

    I think we need to trade houses. I could live in your cute decorated house for a while, and in the meantime, you could decorate my house all purdy! Then we could trade back after you get sick of my kids, (which won't be too long!)
    P.S. I'd love to win the tape!

    Reply

  137. Robin {keephomesimple} says

    As soon as Thanksgiving has officially come and gone I'm totally going to make some of these napkin balls for some vases on my mantle. I think I'll make them red, or white, or red…who knows! I can't wait to get busy with this project! Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply

  143. faith says

    cute and so creative! and who couldn't use some double sided tape. i used to use it to hem my suit pants in a pinch back when i was working.

    Reply

  147. Katelyn says

    Very cute! I've used this method to make flowers with two different colors of napkins (yellow in the middle usually) but I haven't seen it done this way. It looks great. I wouldn't have thought of that way to put the two together.

    Reply

  151. Amy Kinser says

    Your Christmas decorations are absolutely beautiful. I don't know how I have missed your blog but am so happy to have found you. Thanks for the chance to win!!

    Reply

  152. mommaofonediva says

    love the craft. def making them this weekend…thank you for the step by step!

    oh, no…

    all i need is some double sided tape 🙂

    Reply

  161. The Vaughn Family says

    Seriously, I don't know what I did with myself before I discovered double stick tape. I *heart* it as much as anyone can love an inanimate object. 🙂

    Reply

  165. Kayleen says

    Once again, you have a darling idea! Can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
    happytobe-the6ofus.blogspot.com

    Reply

  167. Andree and Josh says

    Hurrah for free tape! Love all the Christmas decorations. I've been using a similar color palette for my decor that past 2 years, thanks for more inspiration!

    Reply

  169. Tiffany says

    What a cute idea! Your home is beautifully decorated, and this adds another nice touch of white. Love the candlesticks too.

    Reply

  174. MTSmiths says

    These are so dainty and clean (ha..get it..clean!). They would be a great addition on my mantle! ….p.s….I look at your blog just about every day and it makes me so excited to decorate our new home 🙂

    Reply

  177. Jalet says

    I think you might want to know a beautiful edition to this type of flower is to rim the edges with markers and mist them with water. It turns into a watercolor tipped flower and wrinkles the paper for a nice/natural look. You can also line the edges with water soluable marker and dip the paper into water and hang it dry before folding. It also works to dip the napkin in food colored water. Scrapbookers will most likely know about sprayable inks and patinas you buy at craft stores that look AMAZING. .Great HOW TO. Thank you.

    Reply

  178. lacycox says

    I have always wanted to know how those cute snowballs are made! I can't wait to hang a bunch from our ceiling 🙂

    lncox0914[at]yahoo.com

    Reply

  180. Lissa Leigh says

    Happy Day! I've always wanted to work with double sided tape but have been too cheap to actually purchase some. Now all I have to do is WIN!!!!

    Reply

  183. Anestazia says

    Hey there! I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to featuring these amazing snowballs on my blog this weekend! Keep an eye out for the post Saturday morning! & Keep up the good work!

    Anestazia <3
    yourworkistodiscoveryourworld.blogspot.com/

    Reply

  185. Terry says

    I've never used double sided tape before – pretty weird, huh? I'm loving these flowers, so cute, easy and inexpensive…pick me!!

    Reply

  187. Amy Chalmers says

    You have a zillion comments, but I also wanted to say what a great project! These are so cute and doable!! Thanks!

    Reply

  189. Joan says

    Great idea and nice presentation. I am off to make these now — oops, no double tape. Too bad, these are too cute to resist. Thank you.

    Reply

  191. Waseem says

    fantastic idea i come with idea for the first time.

    Send Flowers Pakistan
    Send Flowers Pakistan
    Send Flowers Pakistan

    Reply

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