Shamrock Echo 3D Ornament

Curl pairs of strips and attach to center strip 

at guide marks, then assemble middle and two sides 

into a dimensional shamrock for St. Patrick's Day fun. 

Decorate with center scalloped circle and heart. 

Embellish with ribbon bow on stem, nail heads at joints, 

twine or ribbon at top hang hole. 

Measures approx. 8.75" wide x 7.75" tall x 1" deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
NOTE that for the model, printed paper weight
(65 lbs. or lighter) with one side printed was
used, prompting two strip shapes to be cut
for each "loop", gluing them back to back
as described later).
A  left long and short loop strips
B right long and short loop strips
C center outer strips with guide hole cuts
and center 3 layers
D & H side loop reg long and short loop strips
E & G side loop modified long & short loop strips
F & I 3-layers of center post strips.
NOT SHOWN: 2 scallop circles and heart medallion
(refer to step 16)

For the model, regular weight print (one sided) paper

was used, so duplicate shapes were cut

for each long and short strip . . . 

. . . and glued back to back.

If doing this "glue-up", it will be important . . . 

. . . to add the curl to the loop strips before

the glue is set, to allow strip to "self-adjust" a bit

during the curling process.

2. Use a rod-shaped tool such as this pen barrel 

to run under the inside of the strip to form

the curl of the shamrock lobe,

while applying finger or thumb pressure

(think curling ribbon).

Also bend the end "tab" forward.

3. Prepare the center "post" strip by

layering the middle three strength layers

and gluing together, aligning edges and

punch hole as closely as possible.

Also layer the decorative paper front and

back shapes carefully on top.

NOTE the alignment positioning holes
that are cut into the front and back shapes
(but not the strength interior layers).

This is approximately how the long

and short strips and center post

should appear before assembly.

4. Position the top of the long strip over

the top of the short strip, lining up edges

and guide holes, and glue together the area

just below the hole to the end of the strips.

5. Repeat the process to overlay the long

strip bottom end over the top of the short strip end

with holes aligned, and glue entire "tab" area.

6. Position the top end of the strip,

pointing toward the bottom of the center post

as shown, align guide holes, and glue

the end in place from approx. 1/8" above the

strips' holes to the end of the strips.

7. Curl the pair unit downward to line up
the bottom tabs' guide holes with the lower
hole on the center post, and glue tab in place.
(Be sure to apply pressure to both the upper
and lower "joints" until they are secure.)

8. Repeat the process for the other half

of the upper leaf, positioning and

attaching the upper end . . .

. . . and the lower end as

previously described.

9. Layer the three side leaf center strips,

aligning edges and guide holes.

10. Bend each side post assembly slightly forward

at the middle perforation.

11. Prepare the side unit outer (underside) long & short strips,

and inner long & short strips, which should appear

roughly as shown below.

NOTE that for each side "leaf" unit,

the underside loops are slightly shorter.

12. Assemble the side leaf unit in similar fashion

to the center unit, attaching the top end . . . 

. . . and the lower end, for the first half
(if this is the lower half, 
use the shorter pair of strips) . . .

. . . then the second half upper . . . 

. . . and lower joints.

13. Bend and "squeeze" to crease the side unit

at the middle bend as shown.

14. Position the left side unit (shorter half in lower
position) into the angle at the bottom of the center unit . . .

. . . and glue the side post strip (with in-place tabs)
to the center post using a strong, quick-grab adhesive
(such as Fabri-Tac). Hold in place until secure
or . . .

. . . use folio clips on both sides, top and lower,

to hold the assembly together while glue dries.

15. Repeat for the opposite side "leaf" unit
(shorter loops in the lower position) to assembly,
position and attach to the center stem.
16. Layer the heart and scalloped circle shapes,
then position over the seam area and glue in place.
Also line up the second circle on the backside
of the shamrock assembly in identical position
with the front circle, and attach in place.

17. Finish the ornament by: 1) placing decorative studs

over the guide holes at center and side stems; 

2) attaching a length

of ribbon for a hang loop at top;

3) tie a knot and bow around stem at bottom.

Wishing you luck this St. Patrick's Day season!