I learned how to make these Ecuadorian folk style ornaments from a Reader's Digest book in the 80s. The book is out of print now, but these stars are so easy to make that after many years, I still remember how to make them. My children and I enjoy making these. My 7 year old needed a little help. My 12 year old and teens grasped the concept quickly. You can see theirs and mine in the opening sequence of the video.

If you have some favorite wrapping paper that you have been saving, this is the perfect craft for it. Watch the video to see how. I'd love to see what you make!

Step 1: Materials

Materials needed:

Corrugated cardboard or foam core
Wrapping paper
Clear tape
Ball head pins or straight pins
Crochet thread, yarn, or string

You can cut your cardboard to any size. The larger the squares, the more string and wrapping paper you will need.

You can embellish your stars with mirrors, photographs, old Christmas cards, tassels, beads and other bobbles.

Step 2: Get the Squares Ready

Cut two squares of the same size out of corrogated cardboard or foam core.
Wrap each square in wrapping paper.
Sandwich the the two squares together with a piece of double stick tape or loop of scotch between, with the top square rotated 45 degrees so that there are eight points.
Put a pin in each of the eight points.

Step 3: Wrapping the String

Tape the tail end of a piece of string near one of the points. This will be the underside of the star. Do not cut the string.

Flip the star over so that the tail end is on the bottom.

Start wrapping at the nearest pin. This will be corner A. Bring the string over corner A and straight down to corner B.

Bring the string under the star and up and over corner C.

Bring the string down to corner D.

Bring the string under the star and up and over corner E.

Continue in this way until you have gone around all of the points.

When you come to a point that you have already wrapped, lay the string to the left of the first round.

Continue wrapping until you have filled up the star with string.

If you would like to change colors, cut your string long enough on the back side of the star to tie on another color with an overhand knot. Trim the tails close to the knot. Continue wrapping with the new color the same as you did before.