SUPPLIES:  Cardstock: (Vintage Cream, Harvest Gold, True Black, Orange Zest) Papertrey Ink  Patterned paper: (Circus Parade, Bohemian Floral, Under the Big Top, Le Cirque Tags, Magnifique, Greatest Show on Earth from Le Cirque collection) Graphic 45  Rubber stamp: (flower from Le Cirque 3 set) Hampton Art  Dye ink: (Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko  Accents: (gold brads) Making Memories  Dies: (train engine and cars, tiger, clown, Carousel alphabet, banner) Provo Craft  Tools: (circle punches) EK Success, Marvy Uchida  Other: (wooden dowels, small boxes, candy)  Finished sizes: Train Engine  7 1/2" x 6 1/4" x 1 1/2"   Tiger Car 6" x 6" x 1 3/4"  Banner Car 8 1/4" x  8 3/4" x 2 3/4"

Train Engine

1 Die-cut 2 engines from patterned paper and 1 slightly larger from cardstock; adhere patterned paper pieces to front and back of cardstock piece.

 2 Punch circles from patterned paper; double mat on larger punched cardstock circles. Adhere to candy and adhere to engine.

3 Die-cut clown from cardstock; adhere.

4 Cut tag from patterned paper; attach brads and adhere with foam tape.

5 Repeat steps 1-4 for second engine piece.

6 Adhere cardstock and patterned paper to boxes; adhere boxes together.

7 Adhere engine pieces to boxes.

8 Adhere candy for smoke stack.

Tiger Car

1 Die-cut 2 cars from patterned paper and 1 slightly larger from cardstock; adhere patterned paper pieces to front and back of cardstock piece.

2 Punch circles from patterned paper; double mat on larger punched cardstock circles. Adhere with to candy and adhere to car.

3 Die-cut tiger from cardstock; sponge with ink and mat with larger die cut tiger piece.

4 Repeat steps 1-3 for second car piece.

5 Adhere cardstock to box.

6 Adhere candy to box; adhere tigers.

7 Adhere car pieces to box.

Banner Car

1 Die-cut 2 cars from patterned paper and 1 slightly larger from cardstock; adhere patterned paper pieces to front and back of cardstock piece.

2 Punch circles from patterned paper; double mat on larger punched cardstock circles. Adhere to candy and adhere to car.

3 Cut tag from patterned paper; double mat on cardstock and adhere with foam tape.

4 Die-cut bunting from cardstock; stamp flowers and adhere.

5  Die-cut banner from cardstock; mat with larger die cut banner piece.

6 Die-cut letters from patterned paper to spell "circus"; mat with larger die cut letters. Adhere to banner.

7 Repeat steps 1-6 for second car piece.

7 Adhere cardstock to box.

8 Adhere patterned paper to rolled candy; adhere to box. Insert dowels into candy rolls.

9 Adhere car pieces to box; adhere banner.

10 Fill car bed with candy, if desired.

Designer Tips

• Make inside cuts on patterned paper engines, banner car pieces, and tigers, but not on cardstock mats.
• Choose small boxes to go between the engine or car pieces. They may be perfume boxes, jewelry boxes, or-like Sara used-raisin and animal cracker boxes.
• Make sure to die-cut mirror images of each piece for the reverse sides of each car.

Bonus Ideas

• Adhere a mint patty or a foil-wrapped cookie between the wheels and the die-cut cars for a more edible centerpiece.
• Use this centerpiece for a birthday party, and make additional cars so that each child can take one home as a favor.

Fun Under the Big Top!

Love this circus inspired project?! Check out our September/October 2011 issue for more circus fun! Get your copy HERE!

Appeared in:

September/October 2011