Learn how to make your own snowflake window clings to dress up your view this winter even if there’s no snow in the forecast with this easy DIY Cricut project.
There’s just something about window clings that makes me think of holidays. When I was a kid, I’d put up Christmas clings, Easter clings, even St. Patrick’s Day clings on my bedroom windows. I loved rearranging them throughout the month, too. So when I saw this frosted window cling material from Cricut, I knew I just had to relive my childhood holiday fun by making something with them. And since we’re right at the beginning of a frosty winter season, snowflakes seemed like a perfect project. Here’s how to make your own Snowflake window clings with any Cricut Explore or Maker machine.
Frosted Snowflake Window Clings With Cricut
Supplies You Need:
- Cricut Machine (I used a Maker 3, but any Maker or Explore machine will work. Joy will not.)
- Cricut Frosted Window Cling (I used 3 rolls for 24 snowflakes)
- Cricut Machine Mat(s) (I used Light Grip mats, but Standard Grip are fine, too)
- Cricut Portable Trimmer or Scissors (for trimming the window cling roll)
- This Template for Cricut Design Space
How To Cut Snowflake Window Clings With A Cricut Machine
When you first open up the Cricut Design Space template from the supply list above, duplicate the snowflake group until you have the amount you want to make. Keep in mind that you can fit 3-4 snowflakes per 12×12 piece of frosted window cling vinyl. I used 3 rolls of window cling, which made 12 sheets of snowflakes.
If you haven’t already, go ahead and cut the roll of frosted window cling vinyl into lengths of 12″. The portable trimmer is really handy for this, and it’s super fun to use, too. I use that trimmer at least once a day for something, and it’s my most recommended Cricut tool for beginners to buy. But if you don’t have one, scissors and a ruler are just fine.
Once you’re ready to start rollin’, you can click Make It in Design Space and get your clings going. Even if you are using a Cricut Maker 3 or Explore 3, you do need a mat for this type of material. Window Cling is suggested by Cricut to be used with a Standard Grip Mat, but there was a bit of an accident with all my green mats so I had to use Light Grip. They worked out fine. (RIP Green Mats! That’s another story for another day)
After all your snowflakes are cut out, you can peel off the entire window cling sheet from your mat. Next up is time to weed the vinyl. But don’t reach for your weeding tool, because you don’t need it. Trust me, I found out the hard way.
The Easy Trick For Weeding Cricut Window Cling Vinyl
First of all, let me warn you that the frosted window cling material is white, and the backing is white, and the cut lines are thin. AKA, you need to be a bald eagle to see what you’re doing. Weeding this material felt like I was trying to do it in the dark, and I even had my glasses on. So if you’ve got a handy dandy magnifying glass or pet eagle sidekick, now’s the time to bring them in for backup.
I tried the weeding tool first, and it was not very helpful. It stretched and pulled on the material, and didn’t remove the excess like it does for regular vinyl. Next I tried using my Brightpad for extra backlighting. BAD idea, I couldn’t see the lines at all.
So after fighting with it for a while, I finally figured out the hack. To weed Cricut Window Cling Vinyl, you have to peel away the excess with your fingers only. Bend the backing just a bit to make the excess “pop up” and then just pull it off. Don’t worry, you don’t need Cardi B nails to do this. I barely have nails at all and it worked fine for me.
The weeding by hand took me a while at first, but I finally started to get the hang of it and I was able to move through the second half of snowflakes really quickly. I’m pretty sure I either got in the groove or acquired the world’s dumbest superpower. I asked for superhero name suggestions on Instagram in my Stories and the very best submission was Speedy Weedy. I like it.
Tips For Applying Cricut Window Cling
Once you’ve removed all the excess pieces inside the snowflakes, it’s time to apply them onto your windows. Well, almost time. First you need to clean the windows with a fast drying vinegar or alcohol based cleaner that doesn’t leave any type of film.
In order for the window clings to stick, the windows need to be clean and oil-free. Think of your face right after you wash it but before you put on moisturizer. It’s dry and anything will stick to it. Your window should be like that, too. This window cleaner recipe is my go-to.
When the window is 100% dry, peel off a snowflake from the backing with your fingers and place it on the window. You don’t need transfer tape (it would mess up the cling if you used it anyway) and you don’t even need a scraper. Easiest application ever!
The Final Step: Have A Stern Talking-To With Your Cat
If you’re not a cat owner, you can still read along for the frustratingly hilarious story ahead, but if you are a cat owner, prepare yourself…this will be you, too.
As soon as I put up the last snowflake on the windows in my living room, literally seconds later, my velcro baby Doc walks up to check out my new decorations. I said to him “look what I made! Aren’t they pretty?” He walks closer to a snowflake, and starts pawing at it, so I turn on my camera to film how cute that is. Well it wasn’t cute. Because he dug his claw right into the cling and ripped it down. Right on camera. With no shame.
Later that night I went into the bathroom, then came back out to find two more snowflakes removed from the window and chewed up in the middle of the floor. How did these raccoon-rat-cats manage do get them down and destroy them in the time it took me to use the bathroom? Ugghhh. At least I got pictures for this blog post beforehand…
Want More Cricut Projects?
This section of the blog has every single Cricut project I’ve ever shared, and this section has my best tips, tricks, and advice for both Cricut newbies and experienced crafters. Or you can scroll through all my craft-related posts here.
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