More stars...

So, in a perfect world, I'd come up with a theory, and it would be followed by a seamless application of said theory, and a perfectly wonderful creation would be made.  In my real world theory and practical application are very distant cousins.  Very distant.  Often twice removed even.

In my quest to make a few different sort of paper stars I thought a five pointed star would be a great addition.  Did you know you can cut a "perfect" five point star from a single sheet of paper and just few folds?  Sure enough... you can.  Theory has it that is what Betsy Ross did to convince George Washington that she should use a five versus a six point star on our flag.  You can read about that, AND find the instructions for cutting a five point star right here .  What easier way to begin the process of making a perfect star for myself, right?

Theory... I want to create a pattern for a naval style star to use to create ornaments for my Christmas tree.  I should be able to make a star, and fold it on the same lines that are created in folding it to cut it, then make a smaller star that the larger one could be glued to once it's folded... and voila!  A gorgeous star.

Practical application... well, it didn't quite match the theory.

I used the directions to fold, and cut a star.  It was too large, so I re-folded, and re-cut to make it smaller.  Keeping in mind that I was going to make a smaller base to glue this to, it still was too big.  Then I folded it again, cut it one more time, and finally got it to the size I wanted. At that point the little voice in my head said, "You know, this is going to be tougher than you think".

I ignored it.

In the past I have often found that, whenever I work at making a pattern, I need to make a copy of the original pattern.  Whilst working on changes, it seems I tend to screw up and need to go back to the original, thus... I need a back up.  Once I had the outer star done, I measured 1/4th inch inside it, and made an outline for a smaller star.  This would be my base... you know, what I'd glue the outer star to after I had made the folds.  Then I made a copy of it... just in case I'd need to go back to the original.  But really, what are the chances this could go wrong?  Little voice pops up again with... "I'd say pretty good."

I ignored it... again.

Before committing this to book pages, I was going to do a test on cardstock.  Of course, even if on cardstock, I'm going to use a Christmas theme... because when it turned out so perfectly I'd already have my first star.  Fortunately, I have some double sided cardstock that happened to be lovely.  Perfect.

I drew the larger star onto the cardstock, and as I was about to cut it out realized that I needed to add tabs that I'd be able to glue down to the base.  Luckily, I hadn't started cutting the shape out, so had ample opportunity to add the tabs.  First challenge already overcome!

Again I had misplaced my embossing tool, and along with it my seam ripper that I had so successfully used last time, so I decided to use the not so sharp edge of the x-acto knife.  It worked pretty well actually.  I scored the tabs, then scored the folds that would be needed, and then I folded the star.

Wow, it worked!  

And then I tried to attach it to the smaller, the base star.  Well crap.  Doesn't fit.  Little voice pops up at this point with "I told you so."  Stupid voice.

After lots of trying, I realize there is no hope of bending it to my will and forcing it to fit on the base star I had cut.  I had a glass of wine to think this over.  I might have had two.

I decided that the best way to deal with this was to take my perfectly formed folded star and draw a pattern from it.  I did, and, while it was a much better fit, it still didn't match up perfectly.  How the heck can I draw a pattern from the star and it not fit?  (By the way, I was so intent on drawing that pattern, I didn't take photos.)  Takes serious talent... 

Sure 'nough... doesn't fit.  Arghhhhh....

So... I guess I have to go back to the drawing board and try this again.  Re-draw the bottom star... make it work, right?  Heck no.  Y'all know me better than that.  It's close... very close... so instead of doing it all over again, I cheat.  Yup... I trim the edges and no one but you and I will ever know.

It lacked something, so I mixed some ultra fine glitter into glue thinned a bit with water and painted on it.  Sparkly things are always far more festive after all!

Now I have this perfectly lovely star.  I'm going to give it another shot and see if I can't take what I've learned and make a pattern that is consistent enough to share with everyone... until then... no one ever has to know how far apart theory and practical application were... right???