Star Power

By:  Lisa Storms

Stars are one of the most versatile shapes around!  From celebrations to memorials.  Military and patriotism to sports and performances.  Movies and music to superheroes and wishes.  Christmas to 4th of July.  Babies and nighttime to school and graduation.  They work for masculine and feminine projects, from vintage to graphic.  The star really is … a star!

Fiskars has lots of tools to add star power to your projects.  Star punches come in several sizes and all stack together perfectly, from the 'Twinkle Twinkle' Squeeze Punch in Extra Large, Large, and Medium to the Pop-up Star Punch and ¼ Star Hand Punch.  Likewise the Star Shape Template for the Ultra ShapeXpress comes with plenty of star sizes to choose that work well together. 

In this article we will explore ways to add pizzazz to stars, creatively modify them beyond recognition, and then end with a celebration!  Let's begin by adding star power to a baby layout. 

Just because a punched star is flat doesn't mean it needs to stay that way!  Go for dimension and create a faux barn star.  Take advantage of the Scoring Blade for your trimmer to create easy folds.  Begin by lining up your star as shown in this sample with the front of your star facing up and scoring all of the short sides from indention to the center of the star.

Next flip the star over with the back facing up and score all of the long points to the center.  All that is left to do now is fold at all of the scored marks.  Add a foam adhesive dot or pop-up Glue Dot to the center of your star to adhere to project.  Here I first punched each star with the 1/16 Inch Circle Punch to tie on white string to give the illusion of hanging stars.

Another way to alter a punched star is to create an outline.  Pick a set of Star Squeeze Punches next to each other in size.  First punch the smaller of the punches into your cardstock.  Then go back with the larger star and line up centered over the previous punch.  Squeeze Punches take the guesswork out of this since the punch is already flipped over. Here I again gave the illusion of hanging stars by tying a star at the end of each of my bow strings. 

By adding a tiny foam adhesive dot beneath each star at the top, they are held securely in place.  This outline technique would also be fun to create your own "lace" border or paper.

One technique that I am currently addicted to is cropping punches into my journaling strips.  I begin by cutting my printed strips of text leaving blank space on one side or the other.  Punch a couple stars using the Pop-up Punch and adhere to the strip.  Turn strip over and trim off hanging excess with Scissors.  Then mount strip as usual onto page or matting.  This quick technique adds visual interest to otherwise predictable strips.

My other current obsession is adding small punches to plain chipboard letters for instant themed letters.  Here I punched several colors of cardstock using the ¼ Inch Star Hand Punch and adhered randomly to my letters.  To make the punches pop, outline each with a white pen.

Now that we have played around with ideas for dressing up our stars, let's focus on ways to make them virtually unrecognizable.  My favorite thing to do with punches is finding ways to use them in any way other than they are meant!  Let's practice with this fun card. 

I never seem to find enough different ways to create snowflakes!  They do say no two are ever alike, right?  This transformation is just plain fun to do!  Here I created two different variations with the same concept. 

The larger flake begins as a Large 'Twinkle Twinkle' Squeeze Punch from white cardstock. Punch each indention with the ¼ Inch Circle Hand Punch.  Then punch twice along the edge of each arm with the 1/16 Inch Circle Hand Punch.  To be sure to punch at the right place, line up the edge of the cardstock just covering up the punch's hole.  The smaller flakes were created using the Medium 'Twinkle Twinkle' Squeeze Punch but skipping the 1/16" holes. 

Stars and snowflakes aren't the only things in the sky that can be created with a star punch.  The sun is very simple to create by layering two stars and topping with a circle.  Here I layered two Extra Large 'Twinkle Twinkle' Squeeze Punches with a Medium 'Round n Round' punch on top.

The last star shape found on this card is an arrow pointing the reader inside of the card, which is formed by simply snipping off two points from your star.  These arrows could be cool pointing to parts of a photo or leading the eye to a title. 

Now let's finish up with a little celebrating!  I figured stars worked in perfectly with 4th of July arriving and wanted to whip up some festive things for our BBQ.  Instead of the usual flower centerpiece, I figured what would be more appropriate than star flowers in red, white, and blue!  I also turned party favors (Lifesavers candies!) into little firecrackers that double as decorations.  Seriously, how cute?

I began with a Pringles can.  I chose the shorter can that comes with the "Light" chips. 

After adhering paper around the outside, I created a faux patriotic bunting without all of the work!  Simply adhere three layered circles, cut in half, and adhere around the top of the can.  I used the Medium 'Round n Round' Squeeze Punch layered over the Large and Extra Large 'Seal of Approval' scalloped circles.

Using the Craft Drill, I created holes between each set to tie on white string bows to add to the bunting effect and add texture.  The flowers were very simple.  Punch two Extra Large 'Twinkle Twinkle' punches from one color and a Large punch from another.  Layer the three with a button adhered on top.  Placed the flowers face down on a scrap paper using the Easy Squeeze Glue Gun to adhere a wrapped flower wire to the back of each.  Be sure to add an extra star on the back of each if the centerpiece will be placed where the back also shows.  I added floral foam in the Pringles can (a size made for mugs fit perfectly without any extra cutting) to secure my flower stems. 

To add a simple but festive embellishment to the can, I cut a star from the Star Shape Template using the Ultra ShapeXpress on a Craft Mat.  I added letter stickers and several 'Bling Bling' Squeeze Punches with foam adhesive dots which make the cutest and quickest fireworks.

The firecracker favors went together very quickly, so I am going to make a bunch!  Start by removing the label from a roll of Lifesavers.  Cut a strip of red cardstock and run through the Paper Crimper.  Apply a white ink pad directly to the crimped peaks to create instant stripes.  Adhere the strip around the candy with a small strip of blue cardstock at the top.  Use the Pop-up Star Punch to add white stars around the rim.  Cut a small slit at the top of the candy and insert a silver pipe cleaner cut to size using the Wired Pliers.  Top with a 'Twinkle Twinkle' Squeeze Punch glued at the top with the Easy Squeeze Glue Gun.

Stars are very versatile, so it is fun coming up with new ways to use them on our projects. Whether they take center stage or are hiding unrecognizably, try giving your next project the star treatment!

By Lisa Storms