It’s Christmas! And that, to me, means a lot of things. Jesus’ birth, sharing the love of Christ with my family, decorating the tree, getting our house all cozy for Christmas morning…..and DIY Christmas gifts! Creating these DIY Nativity Shadowboxes is easy, and they make the perfect gift!
Every Christmas, I have several parties to attend, and I like to bring a little something as a gift for the other ladies in attendance. When I saw these DIY Nativity Shadowboxes in a Silhouette Facebook I belong to, I knew right away that I could pull them off. Seriously, they are so easy~and get the “wow” factor that I like to give along with my gifts!
DIY Nativity Shadowboxes:
10×10 Shadowbox {I got mine from JoAnn’s}
Oracal 651 Vinyl
Scrapbooking Paper
Raffia
Silhouette CAMEO Cutting Machine
How to Create Nativity Shadowboxes
I hopped on the Silhouette store to find my designs. However, I am certain that a quick search on Pinterest will show you a lot of free results as well! These files were a great investment, as I used them in my Nativity Blocks, and they are easy to group/ungroup so you can take parts and pieces and make your own designs.
Size them to fit in a 10×10 box in your design software. I also added the text and set it up so I could get an idea of spacing for my final project. To make sure I didn’t cut the text until I was ready, I just selected it, and moved it off to the side in my design screen.
Lay the vinyl on the mat, color side up. Set the blade to a 1 or 2 {I usually go with a 2 when I’m cutting vinyl}
Send the design to cut and weed it. Total bonus~these files are SUPER easy to weed!
Remove the design from the design screen and place the text on the screen. Send the design to cut.
Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to a size of 10×10 and apply the vinyl Nativity scene to the scrapbook paper. I centered mine, and put it about 1/4 inch or so above the bottom of the paper.
Add raffia to your shadowbox, lay the scrapbook paper on it, and apply the back of the frame. Flip it over, and apply the text.
One thing I learned from this project is that there is SO much freedom with making these. Creativity really abounds! Another thing, is that using transfer paper is a must. I used to apply my designs with Contact Paper. Not anymore. I have come to love a good transfer paper for all my CAMEO projects now! What are your favorite gifts to create with your Silhouette Cameo?
Awww, they turned out so pretty! I love the nativity scenes 🙂
Thanks, Heather! I do too….I collect nativities. So I thought those would be great!
They’re really great. I like the way you have added the straw at the bottom of the figures too.
Thank you! The Raffia is great! I had to cut it, because it was very long. But I think it adds a nice touch.
I’m the same way, Carrie! Now that I’ve discovered how wonderful transfer paper is, I’ll never go back to Contact Paper. 😉 This tutorial is fantastic, and you’ve given me so many ideas for way to adapt this shadowbox art concept. (Love that straw-like rafia!) Thanks so much for joining in on the December Silhouette Challenge and Giveaway, and adding so much creativity into the mix.
Thanks, Lauren! I do love these….they are so easy, and turn out fantastic.. And thank YOU for organizing everything!
This is a great tutorial. I could see this making a great gift idea, too.
Thanks, Melanie! It turned out really cute. I’ve gotten a lot of nice responses on them from the recipients :).
Those turned out so pretty! Great idea, and thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Heidi!
Carrie, I love these, especially Jesus in the crib!
Awww, thank you DeDe! I have to say, that is my favorite one, too.
I love these! I just adore nativity scenes. 🙂
Thank you! I adore them, too. I actually collect them, and I like unique ones.
This is such a wonderful idea! My Mother-in-Law would just LOVE something like this!
Thank you! You should try to make her one. They are very easy.