A Cute Gnome Shadow Box Card

I just love how this gnome shadow box card turned out and I have to say it was SO MUCH EASIER to create using the new Shadow Box Frame Die from Rubbernecker. No more scoring and cutting and snipping and tweaking and adjusting…..one spin through my die cutting machine and the whole shadow box frame was DONE! 

To make this card I used the Rubbernecker Square Shadow Box Frame, Gingerbread House, Gnome Couple, Evergreen Trees, Deckle Hills, Small Birds and Globe Tree #1 (star).

The Square Shadow Box Frame and Card Base

• Cut the 5.50″ x 11.00″ red card base and score at 5.50″.
• Use blue cardstock to cut a 4.75″ square layer for the scene base.
• Cut the square shadow box frame using white cardstock.  Note:  Die cutting machine Base-Width must be 7 inches or wider for this large die.
• Use the Scor-Pal to add deeper score lines on the frame. Note:  The frame has the score lines built in to the die.
• Fold the frame sides in and use the bone folder to crisp up the crease on each fold.
• Apply 1/4″ double stick tape on two of the inside of the frame fold layers.
• Turn the frame face down, and insert the blue scene base face down in the frame.
• Remove the tape on both frame flaps, fold and secure the frame flaps closed.
• Turn the frame face up and push down on the scene layer and secure it in place to the taped frame flaps.
• Apply 1/4″ double stick to the back of the frame and attach it to the red card base.
• Check out my video showing how to fold and secure the shadow box frame.  

Snow Layers

• Cut four 4.75″  snow layers using white cardstock and the Deckle Hills.
• Trim about 1/8″ off of three of the snow layers to fit inside the frame.
• Apply a strip of mounting tape to the back of the first snow layer and attach it inside the frame and attach to the back wall.
• Apply double layers of mounting tape to the remaining two layers that fit inside the frame.
• Attach the second layer to the first and continue by attaching the third layer to the second. 
• Apply a strip of mounting tape to the front snow layer and attach it to the front of the frame.

The Gingerbread House

• Cut the house using woodgrain cardstock and the roof, windows and snow sections using white cardstock.
• Use red, yellow, blue and green cardstock to cut the gumdrops .
• Cut the shutters using red cardstock, the inside windows using yellow cardstock and the tiny wreaths using green cardstock.
• Apply yellow Wink of Stella to a piece of scrap yellow cardstock, cut to fit behind the windows and attach using glossy accents.
• Attach the red shutters and the wreaths to the windows using glossy accents and then attach the windows and door to the house front using glossy accents.
• Attach the gumdrops to the gumdrop base using glossy accents and apply clear Wink of Stella to add sparkle.
• Apply double stick tape to the front of the gumdrop base and attach it to to the roof section.
• Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the roof section and attach to the house.
• Create a string of rolled up double stick tape, apply it to the snow layer and attach it to the roof layer.

The Trees, Gnomes and Birds

• Cut the evergreen trees using white cardstock.
• Apply snow to the trees using white Nuvo Crustal drops and set aside to dry.
• Cut the gnome heads using white cardstock and the body parts using white, red, green and black cardstock.
• Color the face, beard and hair using Color Fuse inks and mini applicators.
• Assemble the gnome pieces and attach them together using glossy accents and small pieces of mounting tape.
• Cut the birds using red cardstock.

Assemble the Scene

• Attach double layers of mounting tape to the back of the gingerbread house, tuck it in behind the snow layers and attach it to the scene base.
• Apply glossy accents to the back of several white circles and attach them to the scene base and gingerbread house to create falling snow.  Note:  Call me crazy but I save all the negative circle cutouts from eyelet die cuts to use for snow.m  I use my reverse tweezers to pick them up and place them.
  
• Apply mounting tape to the back of the trees and attach them in behind the snow layers and to the front frame.
• Attach the gnomes ito the snow layers using pieces of mounting tape.
• Finish the card by attaching the birds to the scene using small pieces of mounting tape.

PRO TIP: Use what is called “forced perspective” to add elements to your scenes even if they are sized differently. For example, this little gingerbread cottage is obviously much smaller than our little gnome friends. But by adding it at the very back of the scene with all the layers in front of it add that optical illusion of distance and more like a cozy home for these two characters.

Here are all the Rubbernecker products used to make this card.

5316D Square Shadow Box Frame Die [ RBB ] 5179D Gingerbread House Die Cut [ RBB ] 5217-09D Gnome Couple Die [ RBB ] 5217-01D Evergreen Tree Die [ RBB ] 5173-02D Deckle Hills Die Cut [ RBB ] Small Birds Die 5147-06D [ RBB ] 5177-03D Globe Tree #1 Die Cut [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #12 [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #2 [ RBB ]

Sizzix – Paper Sculpting Kit [ SBC ] Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops, Gloss White [ ELH ] Scotch Foam Mounting Tape [ ELH ] ATG Kit, Advanced Tape Glider [ ELH ] Mini Glossy Accents, Ranger Accents [ ELH ] Teflon Bone Folder, Essentials by Ellen [ ELH ] Scor-Pal Measuring & Scoring Board 12×12 [ ELH ] Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting… [ RBB ]

I got such a kick out of making the gnome shadow box card and can’t wait to try out other shadow box cards with this time saving die! What kinds of cards are you looking forward to making using it?