3D Tree with Paper Ornaments – A Whimsical Holiday Decoration

Instructions

STEP 1: GET THE 3D TREE DESIGN

You can get my 3D Tree with Paper Ornaments SVG file #259 from my free resource library (get the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this page. Here is what my 3D Tree design file will look like when you upload it to the Cricut Design Space:

Tip: If you are not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to the Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you are on an iPad or iPhone, here is how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.

STEP 2: CUT THE 3D TREE DESIGN

You can cut this tree from multiple layers of Kraft board on a Cricut Explore, from Chipboard on a Cricut Maker, and from wood or acrylic that is 1/8 inch thickness on a Glowforge laser cutting machine.

You will want the "whimsical-3d-tree-sixteenth-inch-jennifermaker-SVG" version of this design if you're cutting on a Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore. Once the 3D Tree file is uploaded into Design Space, I ungrouped the design. Since I want to cut the trees first I'm going to "hide" all of the ornaments for now. You can do this by selecting them each individually and clicking on the "eye" icon next to the selection or you can select them all at once, click group, then click on the "eye" icon. This will hide them all together.

Cutting on the Cricut Maker:
I cut the 3D tree on the Cricut Maker using the Knife Blade and Housing. I used Cricut Heavy Chipboard as my material for the tree. Cricut does recommend for best results, open the chipboard and lay flat for 24 hours to acclimate material to your climate. If your chipboard starts to warp, place it under a heavy object. This project takes a little more than 2 hours to cut the two trees on the Cricut Maker.

Click Make It, verify you have two mats with a tree part on each mat. Click Continue on the mat preview screen then click on browse all materials and choose Heavy Chipboard as the material to cut.

Place the material you are cutting on the Cricut StrongGrip mat. Use a brayer to create a firm bond between the material and your mat.

Tape all four edges of chipboard to the mat within 1” of the corner (masking tape or blue painter’s tape recommended)

On the Cricut Maker machine, move white star wheels all the way to the right to avoid making an indentation in your material.

Load the mat into the machine and click the flashing button to begin to cut.

The Maker's default setting is to make 24 passes when cutting heavy chipboard. The machine will make multiple passes while increasing the pressure with each pass. I recommend you check on your cut frequently. Sometimes you may get little pieces that are no longer held down by the mat. if that happens just use the pause button on your machine and remove the pieces. You may also want to pause your machine from time to time to check the blade, just to make sure it is free of debris. Do not eject the mat. Once pieces are removed resume the cut. I recommend you keep an eye on your Maker as it cuts, as it may be done in as little as 18 passes. To check, just pause your machine, lift up a corner, and see if it’s cut all the way through yet or not.

Cutting on the Cricut Explore:
If you are making this tree on another cutting machine like the Cricut Explore, the Kraft Board version of the 3D Tree may require multiple layers glued together for stability depending on your preference. I used the Cricut Kraft Board as my material, however, you can experiment with other types of cardboard you may have on hand. I used 3 sheets of Kraft Board for each tree piece, along with the Fine Point Blade and housing. I duplicated each tree piece two times so I had 3 of each tree piece. To Duplicate, right click on the tree and select duplicate from the drop down menu that appears. You will do this twice for each tree piece so you will end up with 6 tree pieces to cut.

Click Make It. You will want to verify you have 6 mats to cut.

Place the material you are cutting on the Cricut LightGrip mat. Use a brayer to create a firm bond between the material and your mat.

Turn the Dial on the Cricut Explore to Custom and select Kraft Board from the list of custom materials.

Load the mat into the machine and begin to cut.

Once you have cut the tree pieces, glue the pieces together. I found that placing the glued pieces under a heavy object helped keep them nice and flat while drying. Select the paper ornament (s) you want to decorate the 3D Tree with and cut them from cardstock of your choice.

Cutting on the Glowforge laser cutter:

If you are making this tree on the Glowforge laser cutter, you will want to use the eighth-inch SVG if you are using eighth inch thick material, like acrylic or wood.

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR DESIGN

To assemble the 3D Tree, it is as simple as sliding the two pieces together! The tree that has the slit in the bottom of the trunk slides easily into the other piece. You may want to hot glue the two pieces together however I wanted to be able to take them apart for storage so I did not glue mine.

Hanging your paper ornaments is simple as well. I used Stretch Magic clear cord to hang my ornaments. You could also use twine or string or even ornament hooks. I think the clear cord looks best. Just thread the cord through the hole in the ornament, tie a knot in the cord and you are ready to hang the ornament.

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF!

Enjoy your 3D tree decorated or undecorated, it is so fun either way!