10 Ways To Use Snowflakes On a Scrapbook Page
Expert Guidance for Digital Scrapbooking

What is a snowflake? In digital scrapbooking, you’ll find snowflakes that have been brushed, doodled, scattered, and more. Some are symmetrical, like they are in real life, but in the digi world, pretty much anything goes.

Don’t let the wintery tones of snowflakes scare you away from using them. Regarless of the climate in your neck of the woods, chills are universal. Here’s some guidance for using them with confidence:

Snowflake Way #1 — Apply a Style

Regardless if your snowflake is thick or thin, it will likely look more stylish if you apply a little Photoshop style. Your software contains styles that will look pretty cool (like the ones above).

• You can apply a style to any snowflake, regardless of color, size, or shape.
• Remember that styles stack! So after applying a style, delete it before applying a different one.

You might even have fancy styles in your stash. These styles are included in my Symmetrical Snowflakes class in Marketplace. This class will also show you how to load and use styles.

Here’s a layout with a style applied to the snowflake:

Snowflake Way #2 — Basic Blending

If you are feeling like the snowflakes from your stash are a little overwhelming, try some basic blending.

• Fill the snowflake with white.
• Set the Blend Mode to Soft Light.
• Lower the Opacity of the snowflake layer for an even softer look.

Credit: Snowflake and paper are from Shining Moments by Palvinka Designs.

In this example, I used softly blended snowflakes arranged on a black background paper:

Snowflake Way #3 — Use It As a Chilly Anchor

The most common use for a snowflake on a scrapbook page is to use it as an anchor in a chilly cluster. It provides great coverage to gather all pieces of a focal point or cluster.

• The snowflake can be big or small.
• It can be any color or style.
• You can apply a drop shadow or just blend the snowflake into the background.

Snowflake Way #4 — Add a Creased and Cutout Effect

If your snowflake is thicker in appearance, you can add paper and folds to give it a cut-out look. I love the nostalgic feel of these snowflakes!

• Clip paper to the snowflake.
• Clip folds to the snowflake.
• Don’t forget the drop shadow!

Love the effect, but have no idea how to create it? My Symmetrical Snowflakes class will give you everything you need and show you how to create this snowflake in a matter of minutes!

Snowflake Way #5 — Create a Scatter

Any shape can be turned into a scatter brush, but snowflake shapes just seem to scatter prettier.

• Fill a snowflake shape with black.
• Turn the shape into brush and turn on the scatter feature. Try a size jitter, as well.
• Try brushing with different colors!

Snowflake Way #6 — Add a Gradient 

To keep a BIG snowflake from overwhelming a scrapbook page, try adding a gradient to half of it to blend it into the page.

• (optional) Clip paper to a large snowflake.
• Do not add a drop shadow to the snowflake.
• Add a Gradient Adjustment to the snowflake layer.
• Use the snowflake as a large anchor.

Credits: Elements used above are from Winter Stories by Bellisae Designs.

Snowflake Way #7 — Hang Snowflakes with a “String”

Give your snowflakes the look of falling or hanging.

• This will work with any style of snowflake.
• This will add flow to your page, so make sure you use the vertical linear flow when adding photos, journaling, and other elements.
• To create the “string”, brush a straight line using a very small, hard round brush.

Snowflake Way #8 — Turn It Into a Sticker

Turning a basic snowflake into a sticker can make it stand out on your page better.

• Add an outside stroke outline in a contrasting color.
• Place the stroked snowflake in a group and then add a drop shadow to the group. This way the drop shadow will show up!

Snowflake Way #9 — Punch the Snowflake Out of a Paper

If your snowflake is thick and has well-defined edges, it will make a great punch!

• Select the snowflake and then hide the snowflake layer.
• Use the selection to create a reverse mask on a background paper.
• Make sure to add a drop shadow to the background paper!

Credit: Snowflake and paper are from Shining Moments by Palvinka Designs.

Here’s an example that combines both ideas above. I LOVE this card!

Snowflake Way #10 — Add Bling!

I’ll just go ahead and say it—I love to say the word “bling”. It just make me happy. But it also makes me happy to add bling to my scrapbook pages, and in this case, add bling to a snowflake!

• Look for buttons, brads, and gems from your stash.
• Add them to the center of your snowflakes.
• Make sure to add a drop shadow to both the snowflake and the bling.

The snowflake above is by Palvinka Designs. Here’s how I used this idea on my page:

Maybe you have more ideas for adding snowflake to your scrapbook pages and greeting cards. Feel free to add your ideas below!

If you love snowflakes as much as I do, then you’ll enjoy this class that combines symmetry and a few of your favorite things to create circular designs, like snowflakes, wreaths, laurels, and more!

Ready to finally build a firm foundation for digital scrapbooking? Take our signature course:

• QwikLearn Photoshop Elements
• QwikLearn Adobe Photoshop

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Author: Jen White | Contact Us
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