Ashbee Design Silhouette Projects: November 2013

11.24.2013

3D Nativity Shadow Box

Project Description:
I have designed a shadow box for the Christmas season. As I designed my earlier shadow boxes, I saw the potential for creating a Nativity scene in this format. This project combines 7 different layers into one multi-layered Nativity. I have assembled it in two different paper choices, a variety of black, white and grays, and an all white version. Both have different display options. The all white version glows beautifully when placed in front of a window or other light source. The shades of gray version has better contrast for front lighting sources. Although visually complex, the cutting and assembly skills for this project are relatively basic.

Black, gray and white gradation

All white card stock displayed in a window with sunlight emphasizing the layers. The star shines in this location!

All white card stock.

Nativity Shadow Box Tutorial:

Tutorial assembled using Silhouette Software Release 2.7.18. This tutorial assumes you already know how to use the Silhouette and Silhouette software. It can be cut on both Cameo and Portrait Silhouette machines.

Supplies Needed:

Template from Silhouette On-Line Store here.
Glue dots 3/16"
Paper Glue
Silhouette Cameo or Portrait
Card Stock (all parts fit on 8 x 10 size)
1 sheet light weight white paper - I used 20 lb. copier paper.
Foam 3D sticker Tape
Scotch Tape
Sharpie Marker in black

Steps for completing the Nativity Shadow Box project:

1. Download the cutting file for your Silhouette Cutting machine from the Silhouette Online Store here. This file is a long, skinny file with 7 different layers included. Each needs to be copied and pasted into a separate file for cutting.

This approach is different from my earlier shadow boxes in that you don't have to resize the files. This one makes more sense to me. Let me know which approach you find easier to work with.

2. Prepare and cut each file. There are 7.

The file may be all grouped together. If so, to select just one frame portion, click on the entire file so it is selected. Go up to the OBJECT MENU and down to the UNGROUP command.
Copy all of the first frame and any parts within it.
Open a new Silhouette file and paste this into it. It should fit onto and 8.5 x 11" piece of card stock.
Cut this file.
Note on colors: I completed this project using all white card stock for one version and gradations of grays from white, through the grays to black. The tutorial is shown using the gradations because it makes the lessons much easier to understand. In reality, I like the all white version best. If you choose to do a color gradation, this is the order of my color choices:

Layer 1: Front frame - black
Layer 2: Sheperd and manager - dark gray
Layer 3: Holy Family and Manger - medium gray
Layer 4: Wise Men - light gray
Layer 5: back frame - black
Layer 6: Star - Black
Layer 7: White backing for Star - White (Thin 20 Lb paper - not card stock)

Repeat the copy and paste for everyone of the 7 different layers. Cut each one out.

I am going to direct you through the assembly of each layer. After all are completed, I will show you how to combine them.

3. Assemble Layer 1 - the front frame.

Layer 1 has 2 parts, a frame and and a hanger.
All the frames have dotted fold lines. You fold them all in the same direction for each frame. For Frame 1, they all get folded toward the back.
Apply a couple of glue dots to each corner tab and build the shadow box frame.
Work with care to keep things square.

The hanging tab gets glued inside the top edge of the frame.
The tab gets bent up to be above the frame.

4. Assemble Layer 2 - the shephard layer.

Layer 2 has 3 parts, a frame and the shepherd and sheep
All the frames have dotted fold lines. Fold all the fold lines to the back and glue together in the same way as you glued frame 1 together.
Apply a strip of double-Stick foam tape along the back side of the frame between the manger post and the side wall. This is to position the shepherd and the lamb. The foam tape will hold them back from the front frame about 1/8" to provide another depth level in the shadow box. The purple lines added to the image below show placement.

If using dark colors, take a sharpie marker and darken the edge of the tape so it won't be visible from above.

Also place a short piece of foam tape on the side. Position this to catch the back edge of the shepherd's head and hold it in place.
Position the shepherd on the tape. The foot connector should be just below the landscape line on the front and he should be positioned far enough in the edge to just catch the back of his head on the upper tape. It is about 2 1/2 - 3" above the bottom fold.

Next, position the lamb. Again the foot connector should not be visible from the front.

After both are in place, cover the remaining double-stick tape with regular scotch tape. This will keep it from sticking in the wrong places.

Notice two fold lines on the roof portion of the stable. Those needed to be folded toward the BACK. There is one on each half of the roof.

Here is a view of the completed layer 2.

5. Assemble Layer 3 - the Holy Family layer.

Layer 3 has 1 part, just the frame with the Holy Family.
There are fold lines along both halves of the stable roof. Fold these toward the FRONT. Add a glue dot to the tab at the peak of the roof and glue that together.

All the frames have dotted fold lines. Fold all the other fold lines to the back and glue together at the corners in the same way as you glued frame1 together.
Below is the completed Frame 3.

5. Assemble Layer 4 - the Wise Men layer.

Layer 4 has 2 parts, the frame including 2 wise men on the ridge and 1 separate wise man. The cuts on this frame are detailed and a good mat and blade are needed to get clean cuts.
After cutting, apply a foam pice to the back of the solitary wise man....

And position him on the slope in front of the other two.

It is helpful to look at the entire composition to help with placement.

Add a touch of paper glue under each of the the camel feet and glue them to the back surface.

Fold all the edges of the frame toward the back and glue the corners in the same manner you did for the first frame.
Here is the completed frame 4.

6. Assemble Layer 5 - the star and sky.

Layer 5 has 3 parts. For Layer five you need layers 5, 6 and 7 from the original file.

Layer 5 is the black back frame,
Layer 6 is the rectangle with the star cut out.
Layer 7 is the white thin paper to back the star.

Fold all the edges of the frame toward the FRONT (opposite all others) and glue the corners in the same manner you did for the first frame.
Then glue the white backing paper behind the black star paper lining up all edges. They should be the same size.

The star and white background will be glued inside the back frame.

Here is the completed 5th layer.

7. Assemble all 5 layers into the shadow box.

All 5 layers should be each assembled before you start to combine them.

To assemble the layers start with the back layer 5 first. This is the one with the star.
Layer 4 (Wise Men) get placed over layer 5.
Add a few glue dots to hold them together.
As you assemble all the layers you will want their back edges to line up. You want them to maintain spaces between the layers so don't allow them to slide toward the front.

Flip the shadow box over and apply scotch tape to the top and two side edges. I leave the bottom untaped to allow for a little expansion.

Layer 3 (Holy Family) gets placed OVER layer 4, again lining up the back edges, using a few glue dots to hold it in place, and then flipping it over and taping the edges from the back.

Layer 2 (Shepherd) gets placed OVER layer 3, again lining up the back edges, using a few glue dots to hold it in place, and then flipping it over and taping the edges from the back.
On this layer you also add a few glue dots (I recommend reposition-able ones here) to the top of the stable roof tabs that have been folded back.
These will be attached to the bottom of the stable roof folded forward from the layer 3 below.

Layer 2 is the last layer to use the scotch tape. The tape gets covered by layer 1.

Layer 1 (the front frame) gets placed over all the other layers. Only use glue dots to hold this one in place. The side with the hanging hook goes on the top.

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Sharing this post at some of these link parties. They are worth checking out for other ideas.

11.18.2013

3D HoHoHo Tree Silhouette Tutorial

Note: I have just started a new website at 3DCuts.com with my cutting files in .svg and .pdf formats for those of you without a Silhouette. This one isn't up yet but an entire alphabet shadow box series is! Stop by and see in this set of cutting files with endless craft possibilities. There is also a freebie here.

Project Description:
I have taken the letters in HoHoHo and turned them on their side! That is the design element behind my newest 3D tree design. This easy to make project creates a stunning centerpiece when arranged in groups. The cutting file includes the tree in 2 different sizes however you can stretch it to any size to create variety.

HoHoHo Tree Tutorial:

Tutorial assembled using Silhouette Software Release 2.7.18. This tutorial assumes you already know how to use the Silhouette and Silhouette software. It can be cut on both Cameo and Portrait Silhouette machines.

Supplies Needed:

Template from Silhouette On-Line Store here (Coming soon).
Glue dots 3/16"
Paper Glue
Silhouette Cameo or Portrait
Card Stock in red and green
Small binder clips

Steps for completing the HoHoHo Tree project:

1. Download the cutting file for your Silhouette Cutting machine from the Silhouette Online Store here.

2. Prepare and cut the file.

Copy and paste one tree file into a new file and cut 3 times from green card stock.
Copy and paste the smaller tree into a new file and cut 3 times from green card stock.
Copy and paste the bases and stars into a new file and cut from red card stock.
Each tree is made from 3 matching trees, 1 base and 3 stars.

3. Assemble the tree.

Apply paper glue to the tips of all letters on ONE edge of one tree. Don't go in further than 1/4" from the edge.

Place a second tree on top and press together. Allow to dry.

Once dry, turn back the top tree from the open side and apply glue to the first couple of tips again only going in about 1/4"

Place the third tree against them working it between the two trees already together. They will bow apart.
Quickly added tiny binder clips to hold them in place while the glue dries.
It is easiest to work a few ends at a time on each side and slowly move up the tree.

You can move to the other edge and glue the first group of letters together and clip those as well.
Look at the tips of the trees and you will notice a dotted fold line. Fold just the tip in half bending out.

Proceed gluing up the two sides of the tree.
Only do a couple of branches and then clip them. The goal is to get the clips in place before the glue starts setting to get a good bind.
Proceed up the two sides together, a few branches at a time until you reach the tip.
Glue the three tips together.
Allow the tree to dry and then remove all the binder clips.

Fold the 3 stars in half along the dotted fold line.

Attach them to the point, one on each side using glue.
Clip to hold until the glue dries.

Curl the base into a circle and use glue dots to hold. The circle is to fit inside the base of the tree.

Use glue dots to attach the base to the three green trees.
Make sure you keep it square as you attach it.

And then make the other one to go along, or a few more to create a festive forest!

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Sharing this post at some of these link parties. They are worth checking out for other ideas.

11.17.2013

Sleigh Tutorial

Project Description:
Here is a cutting pattern and tutorial for a 3D Sleigh that stand about 4.5" tall. It has been designed to be combined with the 3D Reindeer and 3D Presents files as well although works beautifully alone. These 3 files are proportioned to work together. All are both Cameo and Portrait friendly. This tutorial is for the sleigh pattern. It comes with the cutting file for 1 present as well.

Here are all three files displayed together.

And, you might want to try them in all white!

Cutting file for the sleigh is here.
The tutorial for the reindeer is here. Cutting file is here.
The tutorial for the presents is here. Cutting file is here .

Sleigh Tutorial:

Tutorial assembled using Silhouette Software Release 2.7.18. This tutorial assumes you already know how to use the Silhouette and Silhouette software. It can be cut on both Cameo and Portrait Silhouette machines.

Supplies Needed:

Template from Silhouette On-Line Store here.
Glue dots 3/16"
Spray Glue
Silhouette Cameo or Portrait
Card Stock in red and black
Paper in a small Christmas pattern
Post It Notes

Steps for completing the Sleigh project:

1. Download the cutting file for your Silhouette Cutting machine from the Silhouette Online Store here .

2. Prepare and cut the file.

The pieces needs to be copied and pasted into a new separate file depending on your paper size and the cutting machine you are using. All will fit onto 8.5 x 11" card stock.
Copy the sleigh body and paste that into a new file.
Copy the sleigh runners (1 shape) and paste that into a separate file.
Copy the two pieces for the present and paste those into a new file.
Copy the paper ribbon strips and paste those into a new file
Cut your pieces from the card stock and paper you choose.

3. Assemble the sleigh runners.

Note each cut file has dotted cut lines. These are fold lines.
Fold along all the lines of the runners. They are designed to double back on themselves to add strength to the sleigh. Fold all folds as shown in the image below

Flatten the runner shape out again and place post-it notes over the side tabs of the connecting base noted in the image below.
This is to protect this areas from spray glue. Cut the post-it note to completely cover the edge rectangle but leave the tabs exposed.

I used spray glue to lay a layer of glue over the entire shape. You may chose other types of glue but I found this the quickest method. You will need to move rapidly once you spray the glue so be set to assemble the runners immediately.
Be careful to not get over spray onto the reverse side.
Quickly fold one runner up over itself.

Switch to the other side and repeat with the other runner.

Remove the post it notes and glue in both ends of the rectangular base. The tabs glue in under the sides to hold the runners square. I added a glue dot here because the spray glue was starting to dry.
Do this on both ends of the base piece.