Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Barn Star Tutorial

**Updated** Here are a few resources I have found for barn stars...I haven't purchased from any of these sites...just my persoanl disclaimer.
American Tin Star
Country Style Home There are several pages of stars on this site, including smaller ones.
Jolie Primitives

I had a request for a tutorial on how to cover barn stars with paper. So here we go! If you click on the photos, they will pop-up bigger. If something isn't clear, just leave me a comment and I'll do my best to answer it.

1. Make a template of one of the sides of your star's legs. The more carefully you do this step, the easier your star will be.

2. From assorted paper, cut 10 of your templates. But make sure you do five of each direction for a total of ten. This is the hardest part...I always lay my paper out so I get the right order and the right direction out of each paper piece.

3. Next, apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the star with a foam brush (I used matte on this project) and place a piece of the paper on the star. It is more important that the edge along the creases of the star match...we can trim the overhang a little later. The thinner you apply the Mod Podge, the quicker you need to work and the less bubbles you'll have to work out. Press the paper nice and flat. Then apply another layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper you just placed on your star. Continue on all sides of the star. Allow to dry.

4. Cut the extra paper off along all the outside edges of your star and apply another coat of Mod Podge focusing on the new edges you just created, and allow to dry.

5. When the star is dry, lightly sand along all the outside edges to make them nice and smooth and to take off any extra paper you couldn't get close enough to trim with scissors. Don't worry if the paper turns white along the edge you sanded...we'll be fixing that in the next step.

6. Using a sponge and some ink of your choice (I used Distress Ink in Brushed Corduroy) apply ink to ALL edges of the star, even in crease and anywhere two different papers meet. This will help camouflage any little mess-ups and give the star a little character. When you are happy with the way your star looks, apply one last coat of Mod Podge to seal everything.

7. When your star is dry, add some tulle or ribbon to hang and you have a paper-covered barn star!!

Can you believe that this is my 300th post?? So to celebrate, I'm having a little giveaway. Leave a comment on this post between now and Saturday morning and my non-partial 5-year-old will pick a name out of a hat to win a set of three mini-barn stars to hang on your Christmas tree or to give as gifts. And if you want to press your luck, my sister April is having a giveaway on her blog. Good luck!!

39 comments:

millerjk said...

I love your barn stars! I might just have to try it out myself. Thanks for sharing.

Lorilee said...

I am so so glad you did this tutorial!! I've been wanting to make one of these for a long time and this gives me the push to do it!! Love it hanging on your door!! Thanks Amber!

Heather said...

Thank you so much for taking the time to make a tutorial. That is very generous of you! Are you using wooden stars? It seems like I have only found metal ones.

Kathleen said...

thank you for the step-by-step!!! i'm going to be brave and try one out in a couple of weeks. however, tell anna that i still hope she draws my name!!!

Kristofer said...

thanks for the tutorial on the barn stars! i loved your halloween ones! kristen

kristofer312(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber M. said...

Heather...the star I used in the tutorial is metal. I guess I should have added that. And the Mod Podge works great on it.:-)

Jessica Jane said...

I love your stars! And I'm a sucker for giveaways. ( =

Jeni said...

Thanks for this post!

And sign me up for the giveaway...remember...Jen, Jeni, Jenifer... :)

Shell in your Pocket said...

How fun! What a super idea..I love it! I have a HUGE star made out of barn roof metal..so fun!
-sandy toes

Anonymous said...

Amber, once again, you are AMAZING! Love the stars. Maybe if I get up the courage I will make one myself... but I'm hoping I win one!
Chery

Jeremy.Celeste said...

What a great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to have to try this one. It looks like so much fun!

Anonymous said...

It would be OK if you gave your stars to your mom--nobody would mind.

the mom

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love your stars - hope I win them!

Amy said...

I love these stars!!! I found some great ones and I am so excited to make them. Thanks for posting the instructions! You are the best! :)

Brenden, Lorie and Our Girls said...

I'm so glad you went into deal. I haven't made mine yet but this helps out a ton!!! My only issue is finding paper that looks good together. Thanks so much!

April said...

Um, I'd like a star please! :)

Cara said...

I do like your stars- count me in!

Tonia said...

They are beauiful! I would love to have them in my home! Anything Amber makes is always wonderful!

Cherie said...

These are really cute! Please pick me for I have no craft talent!

The Brough Family said...

You make it sound so easy... even I can do it!!! Love the big star... I'm so tempted... hmmm!

Becky said...

Love these! How do you find time for all your projects? Thanks for the giveaway and all the fun posts.

Garrett Gang said...

OOH, OOH, OOH!! PICK ME, PICK ME, PICK ME!!

Our Complete Family said...

Amber~
This is so neat! Thx for sharing how you made it!
Count me in for your drawing...I'm wishing myself good luck for it!!!
Hugs, Les

Laurie said...

I love your STARS!!

I may have to give them a shot.

Thanks for the chance to win some.

embeins said...

I love the stars. I copied you a few weeks ago and made some. I love reading your blog, you have so many cute ideas!

Rosie said...

cute cute. I'm in!

condiefamily said...

I'm in. Thanks for the tutorial. Love you.

Felicia said...

Totally cute! And I'm in serious need of new ornaments.

Montserrat said...

I ♥ these stars!

This question will show my hick-ness but where do you get the barn stars from? I thought about this today while in Reno but didn't have the faintest idea where to look. I did go to Michael's but didn't see any there. Course I didn't look too hard...got distracted by all the other goodies there. ☺

Amber M. said...

Cocoa,

I get my stars at a discount department store (like Mervyns, Gordmans, etc) in their home decor department. Hobby Lobby usually has a few, too, but Michaels generally only has little ones.

Ashlee said...

you always have such cute stuff! :0) Thanks for sharing your talent with all of us.

Rosanne said...

There are a bunch here too (mini ones): http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=barn+stars&x=0&y=0&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0

Thanks! :)

Rosanne said...

Okay, that apparently didn't work, it cut off the entire url. They are at orientaltrading.com. :)

Alaina said...

You are so talented!!! I love reading your blog and seeing all your creative ideas. What inspiration!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Alaina - Twin Falls, ID

Jeni said...

YEHAW I got myself a barn star at Marshalls today for $7. Now I need to buy some new paper and wish I could buy some extra time to go with it :)

Sydney said...

Okay... this looks so easy even I think I could do it!

Eloise said...

Those are incredibly cute!

Janean said...

You do not know me but I found out about your giveaway from April. I LOVE these and hope I win. If I do not I would love to make this for my friend for Christmas. She would love this. I hope it is as easy as it looks.

Montserrat said...

Thanks for updating with links to buy the barn stars. I know my girls and I will have fun decorating for Christmas and other holidays!