Star 3D Ornaments Sprigs or Hearts

Two companion Scandinavian style ornaments

available in separate files celebrate in

bold red and cream colors, constructed as

dimensional, non-functioning 'boxes' that attach together

as LID and BASE. Twine or ribbon holes run through wall layers

on each side of top point. Interior 'strut' support adds strength.

Fun and festive addition to holiday tree decor,

to hang between swag arches, or as focal point for wreath or package.

Each measures approx. 4.25” tall x .5” thick 

(Hearts decoration description follows the assembly

steps that use the Sprigs variation; see Step 17.)

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A LID front (includes 'L' cut into upper center)

B upper and C lower LID boxing strips

D BASE back

E upper and F lower BASE boxing strips

(include 'X' cut into end tabs)

G interior support "strut" with attachment tabs

H contrast "show-thru" for large (I) star edge circles

I large star   J contrast 'narrow border' star

K sprigs front overlay   L center punch circles (2)

2. Identify the LID star front which includes the 'L'

cut, and . . .

. . . the boxing wall strips for LID (lower shape in
this image) and BASE (includes the 'X' cut into end tab.

3. Prepare the LID boxing strips by bending the upper edge
tabs back, end tabs back, and vertical star point
perforations as "mountain" bends, and vertical mid point
perforations as "valley" bends.
It may prove helpful to arrange the strips as they will
eventually be attached around the star front panel,
though the vert. perfs. can be re-bent as needed
during assembly.

4. Begin with the center of top LID boxing strip,
identified by the hang loop punch holes on each
side of perforation line.

Position the right-of-center tab flange under the straight edge

of the star's top center point . . . 

. . . with the left-of-center tab under the opposite edge
of top center point, with straight edge of star overlapping
the tabs to the perforation line, and attach in place.

It may prove helpful to think about the attachment

of the boxing strips as pairs of tabs, one on each

side of the point, in order to assist with best alignment

of point, and of "valley" angle between points,

positioning and making necessary adjustments of

the two tabs simultaneously.

5. Continue to work around the right and left side points

by positioning the pairs of wall segment tabs along

the star straight edges . . . 

. . . making adjustments to achieve best alignment.

 

NOTE that as the boxing strips are attached, it will be

helpful to invert the assembly face down on a flat surface

to apply pressure to the tabs on the backside

until fully attached.

Using a pointed tool such as the handle of this spatula

to reach into and apply pressure to the very points.

6. Position the lower LID boxing strip tab end at

the end of attached upper boxing strip, slide in place

so that the straight end edge of boxing overlaps tab

to perforation line, then attach tab securely

7. Continue to attach the boxing strip to lower points

of LID, then position the final tab (on end of upper strip)

to attach to straight edge of lower end, as done

previously in Step 6.

8. Repeat Steps 2-7 for the star BASE.

Then set aside.

9. Position and layer the sprigs (hearts design

components are similar) decorative front layers:

A) position sprigs front layer over the contrast "narrow

border" shape . . . 

. . . using a pointed tool such as this stylus or a bamboo

skewer point to insert through center hole openings

to align centers, then adjust edges of both layers so that

an even narrow border shows all around; glue in place.

B) Position the front assembly over the main star

shape, position, adjust and glue together in

same manner.

C) Position the 'underlay' contrast behind the main star

and adjust positioning so that center holes align, and

edges are even and concealed behind the main star;

attach securely.

NOTE that it is a good idea when using liquid adhesive

to place the glued-up shape under a flat heavy weight

such as this fabric-covered re-purposed flat weight, or

a book or heavy wood block, etc., and allow it to dry

while being pressed flat to avoid warping or curling.

10. Position and attach star decoration to front LID

(and if desired, prepare a second set to decorate

the BASE). NOTE if possible, it may be best to use

dry tape-style adhesive in this attachment.

Insert and attach center "extra" punch circles to

fill in the center alignment hole.

11. Prepare the BASE interior "strut" support shape

by bending back on all upper and lower tabs, and

at segment perforation lines where cut-in tabs will

'pop out', including end tab.

12. Form the strut into a pentagon shape to position

and attach the end flange tab to the squared end

of the opposite strut end - NOT to the extended round

end tab.

13. Apply glue to the bottom set of five bent-back flanges,

then . . . 

. . . slip into place inside the BASE, centered between

inward star "points", aligning pentagon corners

to position at inward  points with rounded tabs

eventually . . .

. . . being glued in place to one wall adjacent

to inward point. Hold in place (flanges and tiny tabs)

until secure. NOTE the attachment is intended more

to secure the support from moving, not so much to

shape the BASE star.

14. Apply glue to the top set of flanges, then . . .

. . . fit the LID over the BASE, and push together completely,

taking care . . .

. . .that TOPS of each layer where punch holes align.

15. Distend the walls of BASE and LID and insert

applicator tip of selected adhesive (Fabri-Tack

quick grab glue is used here) to apply adhesive

between each wall segments, then immediately . . .

. . . apply inward pressure on each wall segment

to assist the LID to fit snugly as possible to BASE

all around.

16. Complete the ornament by threading twine

(or ribbon, if using the larger opening variation)

through top hang holes.

The sample project also includes a bead strung

onto the bow-tied twine.

17. For the Hearts variation, follow the assembly steps

through Step 16, except assemble the Hearts

front star decoration shapes:

A) position and attach the inner star

overlay onto the contrast main star, using center holes

as alignment guide; B) position and attach center "flower"

with center holes aligned, and petals outer shape offset

to match the star's cutout edge;

C) insert "extra" punches to fill in the center opening

as desired (these accidentally omitted in this thumbnail).

Heart Echo Strips Ornament

Three strips arch on each side 

to create an "echo" heart, 

attach to reinforced hanger center strip. 

Tie a ribbon bow and loop a hanging string 

to provide fun and unique decoration for 

Valentine's Day or Christmas. 

Measures approx. 4.75" wide x 5" tall x 1" deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
NOTE this project will work with card stock
that has a single or double printed side(s) 
(providing the backside is acceptable) or
using printed paper weight (65 lb or less)
where a front and back for each strip is cut,
which is what this sample project has used.

Large strips: front & back for each left, right
Middle strips: two pair as for large
Short: two pair as for large
Center front & back face strips
Center reinforcement strips (2-3) (cut from
card stock or heavy card stock)

2. If using lighter paper, (liquid) glue the front

and back shapes together, for each

of the strip length pairs, taking care

that edges and punch holes line up

as accurately as possible.

3. Identify the bottom end of each
strip length as the rounded corner end.

4. Before the glue dries completely (if layering),

or as this step in the assembly, add

some curl to the top half of each strip by

running strip over a rod tool (such as this pen shaft)

while applying finger or thumb pressure.

Here is the completed curled strip.

5. Prepare the center "stem" strips by
layering the reinforcing layers together . . . 

. . . then attaching the face strips on

each side.

While the gluing cures place a flat weight

on top to help flatten and avoid warping

or curling.

6. Prepare a heart layout with the three

strip lengths on each side, center stem strip

in the middle.

7. Assembly each of 2 heart arch halves by gluing

the bottom ends of the sequence together,

matching up the bottom guide mark punch holes.

NOTE: apply glue at end and upward only

to barely above the punch hole on each strip.

Here is one arch half with bottom ends glued.

8. Bring the top ends together, aligning

the edges and punch holes, and glue

together as for bottom ends.

Complete this step for both arches.

9. Identify the center punch guide mark

on the center stem.

Also identify the dash guide marks on the
long strips that show the glue-to level.

Apply glue to the inside/underside surface

of the long strip of the first arch assembly

front end to the guide marks ONLY . . . 

. . . then position that end against the stem,
aligning punch circles, and making sure
side edges match up.

Repeat for the second arch on opposite side

of stem, then apply finger pressure until secure.

10. Curve each arch bottom end down into

position, then attach each in place, lining up

side edges and punch holes.

Apply finger pressure until both arch bottom ends

are secure. OR, use clips to hold in place.

11. Apply decorative nail heads over the
guide mark circles at bottom and at center,
as desired.

12. Tie a length of ribbon (18" approx.)

through the stem's top hole.

To hang, create a loop of twine with tied ends,

and loop through the end hole . . .

. . . then thread knot end through loop.

Here is the completed Heart Echo ornament.