Art Deco Quilt Square I

© Michele Emerson-Robert 2016

I have a close friend who is an avid quilter. When I first saw this die set from Tonic Studios™ I knew that I would create some “quilt squares” as gifts for her. This is the first of three (so far). I know she will love them, and they will be perfect to hang on her quilt studio wall. I will be creating them in a neutral color palette of medium blue and golden tan. And since I will be using some items that would normally be tossed, I am doing my part to follow Arnold’s “R’s”: recycle, restyle, repurpose, revamp, restore, renew!

Supplies

• Arnold Grummer® paper making kits
• Tan & gold scrap paper (think junk mail etc.)
• Large empty frozen Pizza box
• Blender, cello sponges, soft towels
• A sunny window
• Medium blue text weight paper
• Die: Tonic Studios™ #183E Verso Art Deco Collectable Die Set
• Tonic Studios™ #159 Advantage V Blade paper trimmer
• Scor-Pal™
• Tonic Studios™ Tangerine die cutting and embossing machine
• Pencil, ruler
• Tonic Studios™ Craft Tacky™ Glue
• Punch: Notched corner

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer papermaking kits or books to create golden tan slurry.
2. Create one or more (I needed three sheets since I was making three matching projects sheets of handmade paper).
3. Allow the paper to dry.
4. Create a 8 ½ x 8 ½ x 8 ½” ½” (deep) box top and bottom (remember to make the bottom of the box an 1/8” smaller than the top).
5. Place the box lid on the box bottom creating a closed box.
6. When the golden tan paper is dry, cut it to the size of the box top.
7. Use the punch to notch the corners of the paper. Set it aside.
8. Cut the medium blue paper to 8 ¼” square.
9. Measure and lightly mark the center of the blue paper.
10. Repeat marking the middle of all 4 side of the paper.
11. Determine which end of the “diamond” shaped Art Deco die you want in the center of the quilt square.
12. Place the die at one of the marked places, tape it so it will not shift when cutting, run it through the machine.
13. Repeat this step 5 more times, lining up the pencil marks each time.
14. Layer and glue the blue die cut paper into the notched golden tan handmade paper.
15. Attach the layered paper to the box lid.
16. When you decide which direction to hang the quilt square (Star of David or regular star quilt block) add a hanger to the back of the box.