Corrugated Hearts on Sticks and Stands

 

Pleats give these hearts - large and medium plain edge,

or scalloped layered large and medium -  dimensional shape 

when .125” dowel (or bamboo skewer) is cut to size (8.5" to 10.5"

for the projects shown), then threaded through center holes. 

Trim the stick to desired length(s) then insert bottom end 

into trapezoidal base “anchor” with scalloped edge round 

platform that will allow heart to stand. 

Display on mantel, table top, as centerpiece, and more. 

 Projects as shown range from approx. 8.5" to 11.75"

when inserted in stands.

Plain large corrugated heart assembly will be described 

in detail, with stand that is the same for all four versions.

Differences will be noted and illustrated, for scalloped

versions beginning in Step 15.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A heart (lrg) with pleat perforations, stick holes

B stand box hull   C box accents (1 heart, 2 plain)

D stand base scalloped circle with slots

E stand base build up shapes for thickness (3)

F stand box top reinforcement "collar" (5)

G stand box base reinforcment "collar" (5)

H .125" diam. wooden dowel, "stained" pink

2. Complete the glue-up of the layered-for-thickness

shapes so they can be curing:

A) layer and glue together the scalloped base shapes,

taking care to align and match up ALL cut edges

as precisely as possible.

Immediately place the glue-up stack on a flat surface

under a flat heavy weight such as this thick book (or 2)

and leave until thoroughly dried (several hours or

overnight). Pressing in this manner will help

minimize minimize warping or curing of the stack.

B) In the same manner, glue-up two stacks of 5 each

of the collar reinforcements, taking care to align

cut edges, particularly the center stick opening.

Check to make sure that the stick can fit through

the stick opening. Then press under flat weight.

3. Prepare the stand box shape by bending back

on all panel edges, but bending forward bottom tabs.

4. Position and attach the accent panels on the front

of the hull within the edges or perforation lines

that define each of the four side walls, centering

and leaving even narrow margin all around (offset).

Press and allow to dry.

5. On the underside of the box hull, and the top

of the scalloped circle base with slots, position

a collar stack, using strong adhesive.

Check to make sure that the stick can fit through

the stick opening.

6. Form the hull shape into a box form by bending

the side edges up to overlay straight side edge

across adjacent flange tab to align at perforation line,

and glue side seam. Repeat for remaining 3 side seams.

7. Insert the box hull bottom tabs into scallop circle

top layer base slots, and push fully through to backside.

Bend tabs outward and glue in place.

8. Position the box hull/base top layer onto

the base build up assembly, adjust to align outer

edges precisely, then glue in place. Use flat weights

on flat surface, or folio clips, etc., to help thorough 

attachment of outer edges.

9. Prepare corrugated heart shape by bending

back along the bottom tiny perforation line,

then forward on the second line, back on third, etc.,

until all perforation lines have been bent.

10. Cut and prepare the .125" stick: cut to desired 

length for your display needs, then apply paint color

if desired by applying with paper towel, then quickly

rubbing off so that stick is only "stained" and size

is NOT affected.

NOTE: these stick suggested cut lengths update those

lengths suggested in the online design descriptions:

med plain stick 8.5"     med scalloped stick 9"

lrg plain stick 10.5"    lrg scalloped stick 11"

11. Beginning at bottom again, place the stick behind

the tip, then insert through the bottom hole, then

continue through successive holes . . .

. . . until stick is threaded through all pleat holes.

When the stick has exited through the final hole

it will be on the backside of the pleated heart,

and rest behind and touching the panel above.

12. Adjust the pleats so that they are even - with post

touching panel above top hole, ease the pleats downward

until the stick hole resists further downward adjustment

(using reg. printed-on-two-sides cardstock weight)

to achieve heart's final length. Or, to the suggested

finished lengths shown in the following 3 diagrams:

Large plain heart

Medium plain heart

Medium (top) and Large scalloped hearts

13. To assist keeping the heart stable and drawn out

to desired finish length, add a dab of thick quick grab

glue such as Fabri-Tack used here at top of stick, and . . .

. . . also behind tip panel, then apply pressure

to these two places until glue holds. 

14. Insert the stick bottom end through the top

of the stand box, down through the interior, then

"fish" around until the end finds and can be "seated"

into the platform collar hole.

NOTE: add glue to the stick tip before inserting through

top hole if a permanent attachment is desired.

Without the glue, the hearts can be disassembled for storage. 

Here is the large plain heart in its stand.

15. For the scalloped hearts versions as shown,

prepare the scalloped main heart and its coordinated

overlay inner heart as described for pleating in Step 9.

With the pleating spread in the approximate target length,

apply glue to the backside of the inner heart, then

position it over the front of scalloped heart, aligning

the top holes of each as a reference, then . . . 

. . . fitting mountain and valley folds of each layer's pleating

so they fit neatly together - always aligning holes.

16. Repeat the stick prep and hole threading as described

in Steps11 & 12.

Repeated image: suggested adjusted lengths:

medium (top) and large scalloped hearts.

17. Refer to Steps 13-14 to complete the scalloped

hearts versions.

Here is the large scalloped project.