Stick 3D Star Decoration

Five dimensional, flat-bottom “stick” posts interconnect 

with end “tab” punch holes aligning to form 

a traditional pentagram star decoration 

to stand on a shelf or hang from nail or peg. 

Add your own decorative touches, including 

adhesive enamel dots at end tabs, 

twine wraps at intersections, purchased berry sprigs, 

ribbon and flowers. 

Measures approx. 10.8” wide x 10.37” tall. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A stick "post" shapes (2)

B long half-length strut inserts for A (4)

C stick "post" shape (1)

D short strut insert for C (1)

E long half-length strut inserts for C (1)

F stick "post" shapes (2)

G short strut inserts for F (4)

2. Prepare the A sticks by bending back carefully on 

each of the long perforation lines and crease . . . 

. . . including the narrow margin lines toward

the center of the series of perforation lines.

3. TABS at ends need special care:

the BOTTOM tab indicated in the following image

 is not bent (no perforations), whereas . . . 

. . . the TOP tab is bent back at the inward perforation

and forward at the outward perforation.

4. Form the post shape into a tube to overlap

the side cut edge over the opposite long flange tab

to perforation line, and glue in place.

Take care that the tube does not twist during

this process.

NOTE: it may be helpful to use a wooden dowel

of approx. 5/16" diam. inserted inside tube as it is

formed to provide a "press against" surface

to help join the seam.

5. Prepare 2 long struts for each A stick "post"

by bending forward on the outer perforation lines, 

then alternate bending direction toward center

from each side, forming a 'W' configuration . . . 

. . . as shown in this diagram.

6. Compress the folds accordion fashion, and . . . 

. . . press and crease all along the length of strut.

7. Apply adhesive in the valleys between the narrow

folds, then repeat the pressing shown

in the preceding frame, applying pressure

until the glue is cured and the creases are secured.

(NOTE use this process for ALL strut lengths.)

8. Once dried, open up the strut so that it is

in this configuration, with two short "arms" at top,

and two longer "arms" toward side bottom.

9. Carefully insert the "long" half-strut into one end

of the post tube, with short "arm" extensions fitting

up into the top bends of the tube opening, with

the bottom two "arm" extensions fitting into

the bottom/base side angles.

10. Repeat the insertion of the other long strut

into the opposite end of tube in similar fashion.

11. With the struts pushed fully in from each end,

bend the mini side tabs in toward center at

a right angle . . . 

. . . apply glue to mini tabs, then . . . 

. . . apply glue to the underside of the upper tab, and . . . 

. . . bend the upper tab into position . . . 

. . . to attach to mini tabs underneath post opening,

adjusting so that walls and perforations line up

attractively, and align tab edges and punch holes.

Apply pressure to the tabs until secure.

Repeat for both post ends.

12. Repeat steps 2-4 to crease and prepare the post

stick shapes for C and F posts which each have . . .

. . . one or more "tunnels" to allow interlocking of sticks.

Form the post shapes as for A sticks,
taking care at "tunnel" areas to overlap
and join the wall straight edge with flange tab.

13. Prepare the various length struts for each

stick tube as described in steps 5-8.

14. Insert the appropriate length strut into

the tubes so that struts will fill the tube but not

interfere with the tunnel openings.

15. For the F sticks, insert the short center strut

from one tube end, then . . .

. . .use a dowel or pencil to

push the strut past the first tunnel to rest in

the center of the tube. Then insert the end strut.

 Bend mini tabs, upper end tab and glue in place

as previously described for A stick.

16. Prepare the sticks with tunnels by bending
the mini tabs inward with a blade style tool
such as this spatula.

Here are the five stick posts completed.

16. Lay out the specific posts in this

pentagram configuration to become accustomed

to the way they will fit together.

17. There is more than one correct way to assembly

the star. Begin inserting the sticks through the openings

of the sticks they may overlap in the preliminary layout . . . 

. . . such as inserting left end of B through C

as shown here, then . . . 

. . . repeating to insert A through the other tunnel
and also through the lower tunnel of the other C.

Continue inserting A through C and B until . . . 

. . . all sticks are in place.

18. It may be helpful to use a temporary tape

such as this masking tape to align and hold end tabs

together. Then remove tape on one end connection,

apply glue to join the flat tabs together, overlapping

ends and lining up punch holes as accurately as possible.

Here is the completed star structure.

19. If desired, use decorative twine, such as
Red/Cream color from TrendyTwine shown here,
to wrap 3-4 times around the short direction of
each intersection, then 3-4 times around long
direction (invisibly tie off or glue clipped ends on back).
This will help conceal the tunnel openings.

Add decorations and accents as desired.

Small 3D Lacy Square Box with Inverted Sides

A smaller version of the larger inverted side square box,

this smaller version features inward-slanted base sides 

with lace edge slanted side “wrap” panels. 

Lid has lace panel and offset accent panels 

( and fits onto base tray with flanges. 

Base top opening is approximately 3.5"x3.5"; 1.75” height. 

Box footprint is approx. 4.5” square. 

Smaller box is shown with a sunflower style version

“Flower 3D Center Dome with Swirl Vine” designs 

(without the swirl vine shape) for 

lid dimensional accent. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main box base    B base insert reinforcements (1-2)
C base side lace panels (4)
D base side accent overlays (4)
E lid lace main panel
F, G (narrow border show thru) & H: 
lid accent squares
I lid under panel with flange slots
J under-lid accent & reinforcement panel
K lid flange double side walls (2)
FLOWER SHAPES:
L 3D flower petal whirls #1-#5
M 3D flower fringe petal whirls #6-7
N flower center button
O center button confetti circle punches
P base assembly collar stack shapes (6-7)
(shown stacked in this layout)

2. The small inverted sides box follows exactly

the same assembly steps as the large box does

(refer to that tutorial HERE), except that shapes

are smaller scale, with 'K' lid flange side walls

shapes as double-length - that is, two corner

seams do not need to be joined separately.

Follow the LINK above to that tutorial, then complete

steps 2-15 (NOTE the small lid may fit somewhat

more snugly.)

Here is the completed small square box.

3. If desired, complete the "Flower 3D Center

Dome with Swirl Vine" design using shapes L-Q

(omit the vine and leaf swirl shape)

in the layout shown in step 1, referring to this LINK.

4. Position and attach flower in center of lid.

 Here is the completed box with sunflower project.

Flower 3D Center Dome with Swirl Vine

Five irregular petal layers are stacked and aligned 

to create base for this stylized dimensional center dome flower. 

Two “fringe” rings form a nest for the dimensional 

octagonal-based button-style center (add visual texture to center 

using “confetti” punch dots glued on randomly). 

Glue together multiple punch-center circle circles 

to form a platform stack to raise flower from below 

so that curled petals can gently arch downward past 

the petal bases plane. 

Add four-arm leafy swirl vine. 

Combine with coordinated designs 

“Box Square 3D Lace Inverted Sides” and “Lace Edge 6x6 Card” 

for some varied project options. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
NOT SHOWN: base assembly collar stack shapes
(see step 3)
1-5 large petal whirls   6-7 "fringe" petal whirls
A button center shape
B "confetti" texture punches for button top
C circles stack for bottom of flower (6-7)
(raises it to accommodate petals downward curl)
D vine and leafs swirl

2. Layer and join the circles to create a stack 

to raise the flower. Match all edges; use a flat

weight to assist during glue drying and keep

the stack from curling or warping.

3. Layer and stack the base assembly collar stack shapes

to create a recessed opening to help shape

the center button. Use flat weight to help flatten

during the drying process.

4. Identify each petal whirl shape by locating

the cut-in number near center. These numbers

are the order (bottom to top) of assembly,

and should be placed straight up as read

as each is positioned and attached.

5. Add some curl to each of the separate petals

on each whirl by running along the petal tip from

below, using a semi-sharp edge such as this spatula

head, or a bone folding tool, etc.

6. Position petal #1 on bottom, petal #2 on top,

with numbers as normally read straight up.

Align square openings as precisely as possible

for prescribed orientation, and glue centers

together (apply adhesive around square opening).

7. Continue in the same manner to position,

align and attach each petal in order #3 - #5.

8. Position and attach the circles stack . . . 

. . . under the petals stack so that the circle

opening of stack can be seen centered through

the square opening, and glue together.

8. Curl the fringe edge petals, then stack with

#6 on bottom, square openings aligned, and join.

9. Position on top of petals stack, align center

square opening, and glue together.

10. Prepare the center button dimensional shape

by bending back on all perforations.

11. Form the shape into a ring to bring straight
center "panel" tab" under opposite center straight
edge to join side seam.

12. Bend the rounded "petal" tabs of bottom sequence

inward . . . 

. . . then bend the trapezoid short tab toward

center, and the opposite "joined trapezoid" long tab

over it to align end at opposite perforation line,

and glue together.

13. Repeat for the second set of trapezoid tabs
to bend inward, overlap and glue.

NOTE: to assist with the shaping of the octagon

bottom of the "button" center, after the second

trapezoid tab is joined, but while glue is still fresh,

place the button bottom down into the octagon

recess (on flat surface) . . . 

. . .  and apply pressure to

re-shape the button to match the octagon opening,

then hold in place.

Apply glue dot to tips of each upper "petal" tab . . . 

. . . then close the petals in a swirl arrangement
where each newly-bent petal overlaps the previous one.
Try to tuck the final petal under the lead petal edge
to complete sequence, then . . . 

. . . apply pressure downward to nearly flatten center.
Hold in position until glue is secure.

Here is the completed button center shape.

14. Position and attach the center "button" onto

the flower assembly center and use quick-grab

adhesive to help secure it in place.

15. Position and attach the punch circles texture dots
to the top button surface.

16. Position and attach the underside circles stack

to the center of the vine and leaves swirl shape

to complete the flower design.

If using the Flower design with the 6x6 Lace Card or

Box 3D Inverted sides designs, simply position

and attach at center as desired.

Here is a sunflower version of this 3D flower design

on a small inverted sides box design.