Ornament Loop Flake Flourish

Filigree outlines create snowflake elegance in 

this flat form ornament. Cut eight to ten layers 

to carefully layer and attach, press flat while drying, 

then attach top hanger twine or ribbon through punch hole, 

with bottom wire hole for attaching drop jewels, 

bells, and baubles as desired. 

(Alternate shape also included without bottom hole.) 

Measures approx. 3.8” wide x 5.75” tall x .125” thick. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Cut the filigree shapes to be

layered. The model uses a cream front, 7 interior

layers of kraft brown, and a cream back, as shown.

2. Apply liquid glue, then layer the shapes, taking great

care to line up each cut edge, openings, punch holes, etc.

 of each layer added. Here, below,  the backside shape 

(interchangeable with front) has the first interior shape positioned, 

aligned and attached. Apply fingertip pressure all over 

the layers being attached,

or use a roller if it will NOT un-adjust the layers.

3. Continue to add each additional layer to the stack,

taking care to align each filigree cut edge throughout.

CONSIDER stacking about half, then . . . 

. . . using a heavy flat weight such as this fabric-covered

re-purposed weight machine bar (or a book, wood block,

etc.) to press the layered stack while it dries completely.

Then, continue with the addition of layers until all

are attached in place.

4. Finish the ornament as preferred.

The thumbnail model includes twine at top,

loop-knotted through the top with added wooden bead,

with wooden bead and jingle bell attached at bottom

with thin wire (ends tucked back inside of ball hole).

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).

Flourish Leaf and Vine Card

Delicate flourish elements mirror as top and bottom 

brackets along center “strip” panels, with duplicated shaped edges 

along base silhouette providing placement guidance. 

Stack the leafy vines and flourishes to create dimension, 

or pick and choose which to include. 

Follow a monochromatic color scheme as shown, 

add an overlay "Medallion Oval Simple with Picot" 

and "Leafy Stems Floral Accent" as shown here

and decorate with purchased flowers and stem accents. 

Or mix up the colors for a flashier creation. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A card base  
B front rounded corner offset panel (1 front, 1 opt. back)
C flourish "bracket" band offset base
D flourish bracket band base
E ribbon accent band wide  
F ribbon accent band narrower
G upper flourish layering components
H lower flourish layering components

2. Further identify the flourish 'base' shapes 
(top to bottom): accent bands, flourish band base,
offset flourish band base, then center and layer all both 
vertically and horizontally (see Step 6 for assembled unit).
(If using liquid adhesive, consider pressing under a flat
weight; see step 4 for an image example.)

3. Identify the flourish layering components as shown

here, then layer and attach in sequence, taking

care to stack and match the cut edges as precisely

as possible:

A) layer the long end curls with leaf pairs onto ends
of main vine base where shapes of curls and base match;

B) layer individual leaf shapes onto the vine portion
of the main vine base, using the inner knobs and
short stems of base and shorter curl for positioning;

C) Position and attach the center bulbs 'shaft'
with the separate oval over the center bulb;
D) position the bulb/horns shape over the lower bulb
shape to complete the flourish layering.

4. When using liquid adhesive, flatten the assembled

flourish layers under a heavy flat weight such as

this fabric covered, repurposed weight bar, until the glue

has fully dried (an hour or more).

5. Repeat Steps 3-4 for the second flourish.

6. Position and attach the layered flourishes over

the offset base of the previous center band assembly,

by identifying where the flourish design matches

the offset flourish base, then . . .

. . . position, center and glue in place.

NOTE that the lower curls of the flourish overlap

the accent bands; if preferred, these can be dry fit,

marked and trimmed with rotary cutter so that band

remains totally exposed.

Repeat for the second flourish assembly.

7. Bend the card base at perforation fold.

Position and attach the rounded corner front accent

panel to the card base front.

NOTE: to help give the assembled card a matched

thickness, weight and strength, it is recommended to

position and attach a second rounded edge accent panel

onto the card's backside too.)

 8. Position, centered top to bottom and with side

edges aligned with rounded edge front accent panel,

onto card front, and attach in place.

(Press with flat weight if using liquid adhesive.)

Here is the completed card with flourish brackets.

9. If desired, cut, prepare and attach additional layers
to the card, including a medallion and/or leafy sprigs 
decoration.
The medallion illustrated in the completed project here
is Medallion Oval Simple with Picot
Identify the layers (top to bottom): plain edge oval 'label',
picot-edge oval, edge frame, medallion base

NOTE that the center oval can include a printed
('print and cut' feature of Silhouette Cameo,
traced and hand trimmed from printed sheet),
hand penned, or stamped.

10. Layer and attach plain oval into center of picot oval.
11. Position and attach medallion edge frame.

12. Position (centered) and attach ovals assembly
onto medallions assembly.

13. Leafy accent begins as three shapes with

common base shape.

Layer from top to bottom as shown in frame above,

with 'single' stem as top layer (shown below),

attaching the base areas together, as well as

any overlapping stems, leaves etc. as desired.

14. Assemble these extra layers onto flourish bands

card assembly by centering medallion and attaching, then . . .

. . . positioning the leafy sprig assembly over

the far left portion of the medallion, where tallest leaf

does NOT extend beyond card edge.

NOTE: the leafy base area is intended to provide

a 'platform' for attaching purchased/found leaves and

florals for the decorated card version.

Here is the completed project card with added leaves,

purchased paper flowers and buds.