Some time ago I pinned this tutorial but I wanted to make my 3D star, made from the cardboard of a cereal box,  into a garland type project to drape over my mantle. I envisioned being able to use my star garland for many different holidays using the appropriate accessories. This project is very easy but it does take a bit of time to trace and cut out all the stars. Of course, if you aren’t doing a garland then it should go MUCH quicker for you!

MATERIALS

1. 1 Cereal Box. I used an empty Honey Nut Cheerio cereal box I bought at Costco which means the box was really the size of two boxes!

2.  Star Template. I got mine here.

3.  Ruler

4.  X-Acto Knife. You can use scissors too.

5.  Scissors

6.  Black Sharpie

7.  Twine. You’ll need about 5 ft of twine if you’re making a garland of stars.

8.  Spray Paint

9.  Hole Punch

INSTRUCTIONS

You’ll need to unfold the cereal box (shown below) but be careful not to rip the cardboard. I printed two different sizes of the star template (shown below) and I figured I could cut out 4 large stars and 6 small stars out of this one box!

Once you have all of your stars cut out, you’ll need to use your ruler and sharpie to draw the “spine” of each of the 5 points. To create a spine, begin at each point and draw a straight line through the star (shown below).

Hint: The better you are at intersecting all the lines in the middle, the better your 3D action will be.

In step 1, you’ll use your ruler and X-Acto knife to score the “spine” of each point. Be careful not to cut all the way through! When scoring your spine I recommend that you start your score at the opposite end of the point (shown below in Step 2). I started off scoring in the same direction as I used when drawing my lines and I noticed I couldn’t score the tip of the point as well as I was able to when I ended with the point. Wow, that sounds confusing. I hope it will be more clear as you put this tutorial into use.

Hint: I scored the spine of each point twice using my X-Acto knife with moderate pressure.

In order to create the 3D effect, I broke the spine of each point first. By “breaking” I mean by taking both hands using your fingers on either side of one point’s spine, break it like a Kit Kat. Give me a break, give me a break….

Anyways, do this for each spine first. Then go back in between each point and break the spine in the opposite direction. So, each point will be the mountain while the lines in between the points will be bent in like a valley.

Continue to break your spine until you get the desired 3D effect. Here’s my star before the spray paint.

If you’re doing a garland, take your single hole punch and pick a point to punch! Thread the twine through and knot the ends. That’s it!

If you want to paint your stars, I recommend spray painting the back first. I sprayed the back of my stars with  Krylon’s Oil Rubbed Bronze and the front got a few coats of Rust-Oleum’s Metallic Pearl Mist. Even though I prefer the look of the oil rubbed bronze and twine, I have a specific reason for using the Pearl Mist. But I can’t tell you yet!

Ok, before you judge my mantle you have to know that I spent ZERO time putting it up. No tape or tac was used! I just wanted to give you guys an idea of what’s to come. However, I have a lot of work to do on the mantle/fireplace area before I can show you. I hope to have that reveal shortly!

Here’s a photo of my star garland on our mantle for fall!

Question: What do you think of my star garland?

I’m linking this project here, here and here.

 

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16 Responses

    • ccleahy

      Thanks for stopping by!!! I know what you mean about the obsession…I think the project went pretty well for the first try! But I’m going to do this again with other twists! And thanks for the linky invite…I’m heading over now!

      Reply
  2. Alyssa Wine

    What a great idea! I’m thinking about this Christmas 🙂 Pinning! I came over from Not Just a Housewife. I’d be tickled if you stopped by and said hi in my neck of the woods! Have a great week 🙂
    <3 Alyssa
    http://www.myclevernest.com

    Reply
    • ccleahy

      Thanks Alyssa! I’m probably going to make a few more so I can drape them around my Christmas tree and then punch holes in the middle of the star so that my string of lights can poke through each star! I can’t wait to try it! And I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

      Reply
  4. Printabelle

    There is no way I ever would have known that awesome star was made from a cereal box! Yay, you! Great job.

    Reply
  5. cathy@My 1929 Charmer

    I would never know this was made from a box. It is a great idea. Love it.

    Thanks for sharing your inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you
    helped make the party a success!

    Reply
  7. Rachel Sue

    This is so gorgeous! I would love to feature this on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks!

    Reply
  10. Laura @ Finding Home

    What a fun and thrifty project that came out so cute. Thanks so much for sharing it at our link party. Take care, Laura

    Reply
  11. Linda

    What a fabulous spray paint project! Thanks for that great tutorial too …

    Thanks so much for sharing at our spray paint link party!

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply
  12. Marissa Sobaskie

    I saw this on your fall mantel and had to hop over to see how you did it. Love it! I’m totally going to go finish that box of cereal sitting on my fridge now, this is just too clever.

    Reply
    • ccleahy

      LOL Marissa! Do like I do and have cereal as a snack all day. Am I the only adult that carries her Cheerios around like she’s 2 years old?!!

      Thanks for checking me out…twice! 😉

      Reply

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