Needles 'n' Knowledge: Snowflake 3D Northern Cross Star

Four body shapes are built-up of approx. 8 layers

of card stock to resemble balsa wood,

(model uses 6 kraft and 1 each front & back

white cardstock) then fit together with slots or spaces.

(Since the fit is intentionally tight, a thickness testing

shape and slot are included to create a mock up

to determine final number of layers to cut.)

Hang as an ornament with twine or

ribbon thru the top hole, or use square block stand.

Measures approx. 9.5" tall x 6.625" wide x (without stand).

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut* the shapes:
(*a test assembly is suggested; see step 2)
A main center arm( f, b, 6 build up)
B secondary center arm (f, b, 6 build up)
C horizontal arm (f, b, 6 build up)
D diagonal arms (4 arms; f & b, 6 build up for each)
E main stand lid F under-lid shape
G slot opening collar (6)
H accent lid top square shapes (5)
I ring accent shapes (5)
J main stand base
K base liner L slot opening collar (6)
M build-up thickness test square with slot
N build-up lozenge (8 or as determined)
NOT SHOWN: stand lid side panel accents (4)
(see step 15.)
NOTE: extra cutouts in E and J sides
were removed in final design

2. To be sure, test for the number of in-between

"build-up" shapes required to allow the snowflake

members to fit together snugly.

Glue together into one stack the build-up shapes

(with front and back, if using contrast)

using the same card stock planned for the project.

TIP:Since weights for flattening will be

recommended for the actual snowflake arms,

use them when preparing the lozenge, as well.

3. Fit the lozenge into the test square slot . . .

. . . to make sure it fits well, and snugly

(along long slot edges.

Once build-up layers quantity is confirmed,

cut the shapes required for the snowflake star.

4. Assemble each of the separate arms

by gluing together the layers, taking CARE

to adjust ALL edges to make sure they line up

as precisely as possible.

NOTE: For the largest A shapes, it may be

advisable to apply adhesive to each arm in a

separate step, beginning perhaps at top,

then positioning and attaching that portion

with the next layer, then applying adhesive

to the next section and positioning, etc.

You may wish to build the first 4 shapes,

weight it to flatten while drying, then

finish the stack with weighting for final product.

WEIGHTS: It is strongly advisable to

use flat weights placed on top of the built-up

arm layers, lid accents, collars, etc.

to help avoid warping and curling while liquid

adhesive dries thoroughly.

The "built-up" process will require time.

Here are the completed arm elements,

showing the built-up thickness.

5. Assemble the snowflake by inserting the bottom

of B arm into the interior bottom of A,

slotting the two shapes together and

sliding nearly as far down as possible,

before . . .

. . . swinging the top portion into position
to slot the top edges of A and B together.
Slide B up slightly . . .

. . . to align the crossing slots at the center
as shown.

6. Position C arm horizontally and insert
between the "back" slot of B, then
push it toward the center of A/B through the
center crossing horizontal slots . . .

. . . until C is fully in with the front ends

lining up as shown.

7. Add the diagonal D arms at the
diagonal slots of A
(adding adhesive as needed . . .

. . . at the bottom edge of D,
as well as where D's slot inner edges
touch A).

8. Prepare the stand box LID by bending back

on all perforations for side panels and tabs.

(NOTE: the triangle openings were removed

in the final design.)

9. Prepare the stand box BASE
in the same manner.
(NOTE: circle openings were removed
in the final design.)

10. Prepare the slot opening collars build up

by stacking 6 shapes together, taking particular

care that the slot edges line up exactly.

Prepare a LID collar and a BASE collar this way.

11. Position each collar (G or L) onto the
underside of LID or BASE insert (F or K),
taking care to align collar and insert slot
openings precisely.

12. Attach the LID accent ring shapes together
in a stack, precisely aligned.

13. Attach the LID accent square shapes
together in a stack, precisely aligned.

14. Position and attach the ring accent stack onto

the face of main LID shape, aligning circle edges

precisely. Position and attach the square

accent stack, centered around circle,and

offset evenly in from top panel perforation edges.

15. Position and attach the side panel accent
rectangles, centered, onto each side panel.

16. Position and attach the stand lid and base
inserts (with collars) to the underside of
the LID (shown, with punch hole) and BASE,
centered within perforations square of each.
If possible, use weights to help attach
the inserts and help avoid warping and curling.