Easy 3D Christmas Shadow Box Cards
LEARN HOW TO MAKE EASY THREE DIMENSIONAL CHRISTMAS CARDS ON YOUR CRICUT THAT FOLD FLAT FOR EASY MAILING
Okay, I admit it. I still love sending and receiving Christmas cards. I am a sucker for tradition and I just love displaying the pretty sentiments around the entry ways in our house. That is why I wanted to create something special for this holiday season. We all need some wow and pick-me-up, right? I think these Christmas shadow box cards really deliver on that!
The cards are made of four layers that create the “scene”, an outer layer that forms the box, and two layers that come together to add your sentiment on the back.
The best part is they fold completely flat so use the included envelope file to insert the card and send to your family and friends!
As you can see, I have made the same card using a variety of color palettes and it completely changes the look.
Shades of Blue:
All white gives a monochromatic look:
Bright and colorful adds to the whimsy in the design:
In this tutorial, I’ll give you my step by step instructions and tell you what materials I think work best when making this project.
Basic and Premium TBH Crafters Club Members can download the SVG cut file for this project in the File Library.
Not a Member? Click here or the link at the bottom of the page to join!
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CHRISTMAS SHADOW BOX CARDS – MATERIALS LIST
- I am using the FABULOUS Cricut Maker. You could also use your Cricut Explore Air 2!
- Cricut StandardGrip Cutting Mat (green)
- Cricut Scoring Wheel or Scoring Stylus
- Cardstock in your choice of colors. For this tutorial, I am using the Recollections Winter Blues Cardstock Bundle.
- Cricut Brayer
- Cricut Scraper
- Glue or adhesive. I am using both Crafter’s Tape and Art Glitter Glue.
- Cricut Pen if you want your machine to write your sentiment for you.
Christmas Tree Shadow Box Cards
These shadow box cards show a whimsical scene of the holidays. They fold flat for easy mailing, too!
Materials
- My Christmas Tree Shadow Box Card SVG File
- Cardstock in your choice of colors
- Glue or adhesive. I am using Crafter's Tape.
Tools
- A way to cut out your cardstock. I am using my FABULOUS Cricut Maker.
- Cricut StandardGrip Cutting Mat (green)
- Cricut Scoring Wheel or Stylus
- Cricut Brayer
- Cricut Weeding Tool (for intricate pieces) - optional
- Cricut Pen if you would like your machine to write your sentiment for you
Instructions
STEP 1 - DOWNLOAD THE SVG CUT FILE
Download the SVG Cut file for the Christmas Shadow Box Card (#49) from The File Vault. Get access by joining the club.
STEP 2 - UPLOAD THE SVG FILE TO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE
If you aren't familiar with uploading SVG files into Design Space, take a look at my quick and easy tutorial here. Using your smartphone? Click here for my step-by-step guide on uploading SVG files with the Cricut App.
For this file, I have set the score lines for you. You don't need to do any other customizing. Although, if you prefer to have your Cricut write your sentiment for you, I've included directions on how to do that in the video above.
Click the GREEN Make It button.
STEP 3 - PREP YOUR MATS AND MAKE YOUR MATERIAL SELECTIONS
You can move your layers around to different mats if you chose to. When I made the all white version of this card, I was able to move all layers to two mats.
Click CONTINUE.
I am using Cricut Medium Cardstock for this project.
I suggest you change your pressure setting to MORE. This will help you fold the pieces a bit better.
STEP 4 - LOADING YOUR MATS AND CUTTING THE IMAGE
Once you have placed your cardstock onto your mat, load the cutting mat into the machine by pressing the flashing ARROW button.
You will know the machine is ready to cut your material when you see the flashing "C" button. Press that to start the cut.
Follow Design Space prompts to change out the scoring wheel, fine point cutting blade, and pen (if you are having your Cricut add your sentiment).
Once the cut is complete, make sure to peel the mat away from the cardstock rather than the cardstock from the mat. This will prevent any curling of your design.
Repeat Step 4 for until all layers have been cut.
STEP 5 - ASSEMBLE YOUR SHADOW BOX CARD
Now that everything is cut, we can start to assemble the card.
Begin by folding along the score lines of your inside card layers. These are the pieces that make up your Christmas scene.
Press the fold with your scraper.
Repeat this step for all inside card layers.
If you didn't have your machine add your sentiment, add that to the back panel.
Once you have written your sentiment out, add adhesive to the back panel of your card.
Adhere the stars layer to the back panel.
Now, fold along the score lines of the outer card layer.
Press the folds with your scraper.
To adhere the inside card layers to your outer card, add adhesive to the outside of the tabs.
Starting to the right of the card window, press your first layer in place. This will be your lightest color layer.
Now, bring the other tab over to the corresponding side on the outer card layer and press in place.
Continue the process by adding each card layer next to the previous layer. Do this until all four inside pieces are adhered to the outer card layer.
Give your card a good fold to make sure everything lines up as it should.
Next, add adhesive to the outer card layer tabs.
Line up the back panel, with the sentiment facing outward, and press into place.
Give the card another good fold.
Your card is ready to send!
You can make an envelope using the ENVELOPE file in the download. This card will fit into any standard 5x7 envelope.
I just know that anyone you send these amazing cards to will absolutely love them!
So simple to put together yet really make a statement. I hope you try these!
Post a photo in the comment section or tag your projects on social media @thebeardedhousewife using the hashtag #beardedhousewife! I’d love to see how your cards turn out!
Happy Crafting!
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I love this and would like to see more. Thank you.
Thank you, Yvonne! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one!
Thank you. These are lovely and fun. I want to send them to my grandkids as a room decoration for the season.
Karen,
What a fun and festive idea! I hope you share some pictures with me!
Hello, I would love to make this card but when I downloaded the files and uploaded them into Design Space there were no score lines. I tried to add them myself and it’s quite a mess, is there a solution? Thank you
Hi, Amy,
Due to a recent update, Cricut no longer supports the ability to preset score lines in designs. The lines are in the design, though.
To change them to score lines, first ungroup the design.
Next, find the card layers in the layers panel. Each layer of the card is in its own group.
The top layer of each group are the score lines. Click the layer then change it from Basic Cut to Score under the operations tab.
Then, highlight the group (the score line and card layer) and click attach in the layers panel.
Do this for all card layers and you’ll be all set.
I know this is an extra step and I apologize. Some designer friends and I are trying to figure out a workaround but we have not yet.
Let me know if you have any further questions!!
Nick
Thank you so much for the info! I’m excited to make this now 🙂