A Moment in Time

Large Paper Stars

These are step-by-step instructions on how to make a beautiful paper star. You will need:

 one sheet of 12x12 double sided paper. I find that this star looks best if one side is significantly darker than the other. You can also use wrapping paper for a lighter look.

paper trimmer, scissors, hole punch.

Glue dots, double sided tape or brads

hanging cord or ribbon

Cut your paper into 8 squares. The larger the squares, the larger the star!

Fold each of your squares in half to form a triangle, and then in half again to make a smaller triangle.

Take your scissors and cut two slits into your folded triangle, cutting from the single fold edge (second fold you did).

  Open your triangle and the cuts should look like this.

Open your square and the cuts should look like this.

Take the outer corners and secure them together with either double sided tape or brads if you are using a thicker cardstock, take the middle set of corners and bring them around the other side and fasten together. You can choose to fasten the smallest set on the original side if you like, I chose just to curl mine a bit.

Repeat this for the remaining 7 squares.

 Now take all 8 links and make a chain by securing the large side to the small side repeatedly.

Once you have connected all 8, connect the two ends together to form the star. Punch a hole in the top and hang with a string.

I have one hanging in my window right now.

Check back later in the week for a darling tutorial on how to jazz up your candy canes on your tree with just a bit of paper.

Hope you enjoyed this! Happy winter everyone!!

~D

Cinnamon Ornaments

If you love the warm inviting smell of cinnamon during the holidays this is a must do for your ornament collection.

What you will need:

1 C ground cinnamon

1/2 C applesauce

2tbs white glue

rolling pin

drying/cooling rack

cookie cutters, a straw

ribbon and embellishments ( I used liquid applique and red stickles)

tin for packaging (I used RBD's 8oz square clear top tin)

add the three main ingredients together, cinnamon, applesauce and white glue. Mix together until a dough is formed (don't breathe in or you'll be sneezing for days!!!), if it is too dry add applesauce, too wet, add cinnamon. Knead dough until it is soft and has a consistency of gingerbread dough.

roll out to 1/4-1/2 inch thick. I like them to be just a bit over 1/4" thick. Cut shapes out using cookie cutters and veiners if you have them. Use the straw to cut out a hole to use for hanging later.

Lay out your shapes (I used snowflakes but gingerbread men look absolutely adorable!!) on drying rack and let dry for 48 hours. If you are in a hurry you can heat your oven to 200F degrees and speed up the process. If the edges are rough after they are dry, use a file or sandpaper to smooth them.

Decorate your shapes as you like, I used liquid applique and red stickles. Add your ribbon for hanging.

I wanted something to keep these in from year to year or something to give them as a gift in. I painted one of our square clear top tins and distressed it a bit with sandpaper. I stamped the star image from RBD's stamp set Season's Best on the sides. I stamped the sentiment on top in staz-on ink. I lined the inside on the bottom in a nice striped pattern from the Piggy Tales line.  

I find that 6 decorated snowflakes fit in perfectly. These smell delicious and look fabulous on your tree. Stay tune for more homemade ornament and decorating ideas!

Happy decorating folks!!

~D