Spring Gnome Shadow Box Design: Free SVG For Cricut!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE SPRING GNOME SHADOW BOX DESIGN

First, download my Spring Gnome design from my free library – look for Design #596. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

There are DXF and SVG versions to use with a cutting machine, our you can use the PDF to cut the pieces by hand. I'll use a Cricut Maker 3, but you can also use an original Maker, an Explore series, a Venture, or Joy Xtra.. If you want to use different materials for the layers, there are more details in my Layered Gnome Shadow Box tutorial.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR SPRING GNOME SHADOW BOX DESIGN

I used plain cardstock in these colors:
Layer 6 (background) - White Cardstock
Layer 5 (silhouette) - Red Cardstock
Layer 4 (circle) - Orange Cardstock
Layer 3 (beard base) - Blue Cardstock 
Layer 2 (beard middle) - Green Cardstock
Layer 1 (beard top, hidden) - Orange Cardstock
Layer 0 (frame) - White Cardstock
Nose and flowers - Plain Cardstock in pink, white, and yellow

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. Open Cricut Design Space and click “New Project.”
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select the SVG file.
5. On the Prepare to Upload screen, it will say “Cut image” with the design preview.
6. Click “Upload.”
7. Find your design in Recent Uploads and add it to the Canvas.
   NOTE: The design is set up to fit the 8” x 8” shadow box in my materials list. I don’t recommend reducing the size of the file, as some of the pieces are very intricate and won’t cut well at a smaller size. You can, however, enlarge your design to fit in a larger square shadow box if you’d like. Open the back of your shadow box and use a tape measure or ruler to measure the opening for your design. Keep the lock icon closed and adjust the Width.
   
   TIP: The numbers at the bottom of most layers help with the layering but will be hidden
8. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
9. Click “Make.”
10. If prompted, click "On Mat," choose your mat size, and click “Confirm.”
11. On the Prepare Screen, set the Material Size to match each paper you’re using.
12. Select the first mat again and click “Continue.”
    

CUTTING

1. On the Make Screen, set the first mat to match your material. Not all machines cut the exact same way, but I got the best results for plain 65 lb cardstock: “Light Cardstock - 60 lb” with “Default” pressure on a green StandardGrip Mat
2. Place your first mat’s material face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat.
3. Use a brayer to adhere it well.
4. Check that your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
5. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut. 
6. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.
7. When it has finished cutting, check that the cut is complete. If not, press the “Go” button again to make another cut in the same design.
   
8. When the cut is complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the paper.A spatula helps lift delicate areas
9. Place the pieces face up in the correct orientation so they’re easier to assemble.
10. Use a scraper to remove cutouts left on the mat.
11. Follow the steps above to cut the other layers.
    

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR LAYERED GNOME

1. Arrange the layers face up in the correct order, the numbers help.
   
2. Place the stack face down. 
3. The shadow box frame helps with alignment, so have that open and face down, too.
4. Flip the Layer 6, the background, over so it’s face up and put it in the frame.
   
5. Add adhesive foam squares to the back of the next layer, 5.
   
6. Use a weeding tool or tweezers to remove the protective papers.
7. Flip Layer 5 over, line it up on Layer 6 and press it in place, using the frame’s edges for alignment help.
   NOTE: Layers 4 and 3 get attached the same way. Place adhesive foam around the sides and on large middle pieces. Stagger them to make the result even. Use the frame’s edges to keep everything lined up.
8. Add Layer 4 on top of Layer 5. 
   
9. Add Layer 3 on top of Layer 4.
   
   
10. I don't want a lot of space between the beard layers, so I used good-quality craft glue for the next layers instead of the adhesive foam. Put lines of glue all over the back of Layer 2, being sure to get between small cutouts but not so close the glue will squish out.
    
11. Add Layer 1 using glue.
    
12. Add the top unnumbered layer using glue.
    
13. Use glue to attach the nose in place, tucking it underneath the flowers.
14. Using a scraper, curl the flower petals up.
    
15. Using the precision glue tip, add glue around the center circle on the back of a flower.
    
16. Place the flower over one of the cutout holes in the beard.
17. Add the rest of the flowers the same way, alternating colors and placing them in the pattern you like.
18. Let it dry.
19. Use a weeding tool to gently lift the layers out of the shadow box.
20. If the front is glass, use rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth to clean it.
21. Lower the assembled layers into the shadow box.
22. Add the backer with any hanging hardware oriented correctly.