HOW TO MAKE A SHADOW BOX CARD – FREE SNOWMAN SHADOW BOX CARD TEMPLATE

Instructions

Download my Shadow Box Card file and import it into Design Space.

To get a copy of the file, just click here and request access or fill out the form in this post. You will then get an email with instructions. You want to download file C17 in my library. Once you have the file, you'll need to unzip it and locate the SVG file. That's the one you want to import. If you're new to design space and don't know how to import a file, follow these steps next. You'll need to click Upload on the left side, then click Upload Image. Now click Browse and find the SVG file. Then click Upload! It's that easy!

If you are using a Cricut machine, you can use the Design Space link I've also provided in the zip file. If you use this, you'll be able to skip ahead a few steps! (Note: This link may not work forever so you also have the option to upload the SVG if the link ever breaks)

Resize design (Optional)

Now is your chance to easily change the size of the design if desired. You can of course change it later if you want, but this is the easiest time to do it because everything is grouped. To resign the shadow box card template, just drag the arrow on the bottom right or change the width or height value at the top.

Just be careful that you don't make it too big. You don't want the width or height of the big rectangle to be larger than your piece of paper. You can gauge the size of it as you adjust by looking at the rulers on each axis.

Ungroup the pieces

Now you need to right click on the design and ungroup the files. This is important for our next step.

Convert lines to score lines (Skip this step if you used the direct link)

Now we need to change all the lines to "Score" lines. I used to be able to code the lines to be score lines so you wouldn't have to do this but a recent Cricut Design Space update broke that. If you'd liek to skip this step and are using a Cricut machine, just click on the Design Space link provided in the zip file instead.

Otherwise, find each simple line in the list of objects on the right side. Select them and then click on "Operations" and then select score.

Attach the score lines

Now you need to attach the score lines to the pieces we want to score. If we don't do this, the machine won't know what to score. To do this, select the entire frame piece on the bottom right and all the lines on it. You can do this by clicking next to it and then dragging across the shape to select everything.

Once you've done that, right click and choose attach.

Now you need to do the same thing with the base of the card which is the big rectangle on the left. It has one score line. Select the big rectangle and the score line, right click, and choose attach.

Now we're done with the prep work! On to the fun stuff!

Cut all the pieces out and remove remaining cut outs

Now we want to cut everything!

Click "Make It" and then change your paper sizes if using something other than a 12x12 piece of cardstock. I'm using 8.5x11 paper. You can see how to do this in my video if you've never done this.

Then click "Continue"

Now select your material type. You want to make sure that you pick "Cardstock". If you have an Explore Air machine, either turn your dial to customer and select cardstock or turn your dial to Cardstock.

Now load your machine with either a scoring tool or a pen and the fine tip blade.

Add your cardstock to your mat and begin cutting.

If you're new to using your Cricut machine and need more detailed instructions, just watch my video!

Order your shadow box pieces

Let's start by identifying all the pieces you just cut! You're going to have the following:

- A large rectangle. This is the base of your card.

- A square with a square cutout in the middle and 4 flaps. This is your shadow box card frame.

- 6 squares each with a part of the snowman scene.

- A small stand-alone snowman (this is the snowman that will popup inside the card).

- A small rectangle (this will help our small snowman pop up inside the card).

Now grab each of the 6 scenery squares and put them in the right order. The easiest way to do this is to reference Cricut Design Space and put them in the same order they are shown there.

You should have:

- The sky with start cut outs

- A mountain (on the right)

- A mountain (on the left)

- The trees and houses

- The snowman

- Just clouds

Just put them in the right order. Don't glue them together yet.

Fold along score lines

It's about to start coming together! We're just minutes away from having a gorgeous pop-up shadowbox card!

Now we need to fold along each score line.

Find the large rectangle and fold it in half along the score line.

Then grab your shadow box frame and fold along the 8 score lines.

If you used a pen instead of a scoring tool, you'll need to be extra careful to make sure you fold along the lines correctly so take a few extra seconds to do this carefully.

Glue your shadow box layers together

It's time to assemble the shadow box card!

Grab your pile of shadowbox inserts and your foam dots.

Take the back layer first (the sky) and put a glue dot on 2-4 corners.

Now grab the next bottom-most layer and line it up with the sky and then press down to connect them. Watch my video to see how I easily line them up!

After you get the first two pieces connected, do the same again for each of the remaining layers.

Glue shadow box frame to the inserts

Now it's time to make your frame and connect it with the shadow box card inserts.

The key with this step is:

- to make sure that when you wrap the flaps around the inserts, the flaps form a nice straight corner (you want clean corners / 90 degree angles if you can).

- apply glue all the way to the edge of the frame's inner cut out so that it glues flat and doesn't curl

- don't use too much glue to avoid your cardstock from warping

First glue the shadow box inserts to the frame and then wrap the flaps around the inner layers and glue them down. Watch my video to see this in action.

Glue the frame to the main card

You should now have a small shadow box and a rectangle folded in two making a card. Just glue your shadow box to your card! Use the same glue tips mentioned above for best results.

Glue the Pop Up Snowman to the inside of the card

This next step is optional but if you want to turn this card into a Pop-up Shadow Box Card, follow these simple steps:

- Fold your tiny rectangle in half and then fold each of those halves in half. You should now have a square.

- Glue the edges to the inside of your card in the center and hold for a moment to make sure it stays in place.

- Next glue your little snowman to the little square we just glued to the inside of the card.

Watch my video for more help on how to do this if this is your first time making a popup card!