Saturday 1 March 2014

FOLK ART WALL STARS...DIY


Today I want to show you how I made these 3D paper stars to hang in my hallway..
I am nearly ready for the last bit of my hallway reveal, as upstairs is now finished decorated and looking shiny and new....post coming soon...
I am trying to find a new mirror/coat rack ....(still searching) and I am adding some details, like these lovely, easy to make 3D stars:
I have chosen to use wallpaper samples to decorate these stars that compliments my birch forest stencil, I showed you last week here

Anyway, lets get on with it...they might be easy, but they wont make themselves...

You will need:
A 5point star template
3mm grey card
Offcuts of wall paper or samples
Pencil
Ruler

Scalpel and cutting mat
Spray adhesive
Double sided tape
Scissors


I will start by showing you an easy way y to create a perfect 5 point star to use as a template:

MAKING A 5 POINT STAR....

You will need:
A piece of 21x25cm paper
Scissors


Ruler
Pencil


Fold you piece of paper in half (12,5cm)
Fold and unfold in half both ways to create creased centre lines (whilst still folded in half)


Bring corner A right to meet with the centre crease line.(Fold from the vertical crease line).
Fold corner A back on itself until the paper edges coincide.
Bring corner B right until the edges coincide in the fold.
Then fold corner B back over itself, towards the right, until the paper edges coincide.


Use a ruler to mark a straight line at an angle, as shown in the picture above, then cut this piece off.
THIS LITTLE PIECE IS YOUR STAR
Unfold the little piece of paper to reveal your perfect 5 point star!

If you use stiff card to do this, you can now manipulate the folds and create a 3D star, but We are going to use tis as our template to make some sturdier 3D stars in 3ml grey card:

MAKING THE 3D STARS


Copy your star template onto the grey card (Enlarge if you'd like)
Use a pencil and ruler to draw the lines between the points of the star, like in the picture above.


 Using you ruler as a guide, cut out the star using a scalpel.
On one side score the 5 short lines (red) from the middle and outwards..(Take care not to cut all the way through, but aim to cut 2/3rds into the thickness of the grey card)
Turn the star over and draw out the lines between the points on this side as well...
Score the long (Blue) lines.
Bend the card along your scored lines and manipulate the folds until you get a 3D star.


Have a coffee and a snack whilst perusing your wallpaper samples.
(I ordered mine online and got some from homebase for free, but you could use any leftovers you have from decorating, to match up with your décor)
You can of course use other patterned medium -weight paper, but wallpaper is perfect for this project, as the fibrous nature of wallpaper can stretch and bend better, reducing the risk of tearing when you bend the star.


When you have chosen your wallpaper, its time to get

DECORATING THE STARS: 

 

Lay your wallpaper right-side down on a clean surface.
Flatten your card star and spray the front with spray adhesive.
Press it down onto your wallpaper.
Cut the wallpaper around the star, leaving a 2cm margin all around.
At each inner point of the star, trim away some of the wallpaper (As shown in the picture above), then place strips of double sided tape along each side of each star point.
Remove the backing of the tape and fold the edges of the wallpaper back onto the double sided tape...trim away any excess wallpaper at the star points as you go.
Turn the star over and gently manipulate the folds back into a 3D shape.



I made 7 stars in 3 different sizes...with different wallpapers (and two in copper leaf)
To hang them up, I simply wedged some sewing thread in-between 2 pieces of double sided tape to create a hoop, then used little stick on picture hooks to hang them off on the wall.


And that's it: Grouped together they look great! 


...and the wallpapers I have used perfectly compliments the grey and white theme of my new hallway...whilst the copper ones adds a bit of sparkle...
And they have added a bit of interest to the other ways bare wall going up the stairs...



 Here's a little sneak peak of my stairs....no carpet yet!




 These are so easy to make, I hope you will give it a go:
They make nice little pieces of interest...even just with one casually placed in a shelf!
One of the things I love about making my own home décor, is that you can make it exactly how you want it : in this case, you can decorate the stars to fit YOUR style!!

Have a great weekend!
xxx
June



Wednesday 26 February 2014

competition time!

 
 


In March I will be celebrating the first anniversary of Nostalgiecat!
 
I cant believe I have been blogging for a whole year already!
But I can honestly say that starting Nostalgiecat has been one of the best decisions I have ever made!
It has motivated and inspired me in a very positive way!
I feel like I have finally found my calling in life and it has reignited my passion for interior design!
 
I truly enjoy my new creative life, and I am constantly buzzing with inspiration and ideas!
There is just not enough hours in the day....
And I love the feedback I get on my various projects from all you lovely people!!
 
So I wanted to celebrate my first year of blogging by having a give-away with a difference....
....Nostalgiecat style!!
 
Before I started blogging I was one of those people that would see something I liked...in a shop or online, and I'd think: "I could make that!!"....But I never did!!
Now I hardly ever buy anything for our home...I make it! And it gives me a great sense of pride!
I guess that's what I hope that this blog would inspire all of you to do, as well!
 
 
How about a gorgeous crochet bowl made from T-shirts, like this one from how to turn a fly into an elephant.
 
 
So for my 1 year anniversary competition I would like to encourage you all to get involved!!
 
If you have seen something you like for your home, that you think would be DIY-able, or you have seen a project that you would like to do, but you don't know where to start...please share your ideas with me!

It could be a piece of art, a lamp or a piece of furniture....a decorative object or some unique curtains or any other home ware  that you like the look of!

...Or maybe some decorative plates like these from Pretty handy girl ?

Not only will I do a project tutorial on the winners suggestion, but the winner will also be given the end result!!

It can be as big or as small a project as you'd like, but I may have to ask the winner to pay for postage/shipping if it is a particularly large piece! So please bear this in mind!

If you need any inspiration, feel free to peruse my Pinterest board: Projects!

 
....Or something made from concrete, like this funky diamond from a merry mishap?
 
I am doing this competition via my facebook page, so that it is easier for you to upload pictures of your project suggestions.
So to take part you need to follow my page on facebook, so that you can easily share your idea with me...all I ask is that you help me out by sharing my  fb-page with all your friends...

In about a months time, I will shortlist all your suggestions into my top 5 favourites, and then put it to the public vote on facebook!
So make sure you get your friends to vote for YOUR project!

So keep'em peeled for décor ideas you like the look of, and maybe YOU will be the winner of a custom made piece of home décor...



 xxx
June
 


 

 

 
 
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