Reindeer Figure Tube Body Form

 This little replica has a body that gives a nod 

to bathroom tissue tube crafting. 

But this time, with a little more structure, 

with octagon shaped walls, leg-bottom tabs, 

and stabilizer rim ring.  Cut and layer tail, 

antler and head to be thick and sturdy shapes, 

press until dry, then fit slots to attach and bring 

this “miniature” reindeer to life. 

Choose a nose color and affix in place. 

Add a little “spice” if you choose, to make him a gingerbread deer 

by hand-penning “icing” lines at tail and head/antler edges. 

Create a woodland vignette with other tree and snow items, 

stand a small herd on the mantle, or build and name 

all of Santa’s team. 

Reindeer figure measures approx. 4.125” nose to tail 

x 6.875” antler to hoof x 1.75” tube width. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A body "tube" shape

B tube rim ring stabilizer

C left & right head/neck shapes to layer

D left & right head/antler shapes to layer

E left and right noses

F left & right tail pairs to layer

2. Position and attach left & right pairings of 

heads over corresponding head/antler shapes,

taking care to match up the edges where they

are identical and particularly at the slots, 

and glue together.

3. Layer the left layers assembly over the right layers

assembly, back to back, and glue together.

Immediately press the glued-up shape under a heavy

flat weight such as a thick book with something heavy

placed on top of it, and leave in place until thoroughly

dried, for several hours or over night.

4. Repeat the layering and gluing up of the left &

right tail shapes, taking care to match the slot edges.

5. Prepare the "tube" body shape by bending back

on all vertical panel-defining perforations, 

and on

leg end tabs.

Take particular care to crease all the way to the edge

where perforation lines intersect with the arch cut edges

on side panels.

6. Bend back and glue all leg end tabs except the end leg

section that does not have the tab, which will be

bent back and glued into place later.

7. Form the shape into a tube to overlap straight edge

across opposite flange tab, adjust top and bottom

to align appropriately, and glue seam.

NOTE that the shape can be pressed flat so that

fingertip pressure can be applied across the seam.

8. Bend back and glue the final leg end tab.

9. Prepare the rim ring reinforcement by bending

the edge tabs, forward.

10. Apply adhesive to backside of all rim tabs, then . . .

. . . insert the ring into the top opening of tube.

Adjust the tube so that it matches the irregular

octagon of ring.

Use fingertips to push ring tabs down until tab cut

edges and tube line up. Also make sure that front

and back slots are aligned.

11. If desired, use a white ink (gel) pen to add

gingerbread icing to edges of head, antlers, tail.

Position and attach noses left and right.

12. To allow the head/body and tube slots to fit together,

the rim ring will need to be trimmed open.

Use fine hand scissors to trim the inner ring 

"platform" so that it has a gap that matches

the slot width. Then . . .

. . . also trim the tab that bridges the slot so that

it also has a matching gap.

13. Fit the body/head slot over the tube slot

and push together . . .

. . . fully down. NOTE that this fit CAN be a friction fit

so that it can be detached. OR use dabs of glue

to slot interior edges to attach more permanently.

14. Repeat for the tail, which is more likely to need

a little glue to hold it in place, since the slots are short.

Here is the completed reindeer figure.

Reindeer Mini 3D Place Card Holder

Cut five layers of component shapes, 

glue into stacks to replicate the thickness of tag board. 

Fit legs and antlers onto body, glue together if preferred. 

Or disassemble and store flat for keeping between holidays. 

Add tiny bell tied around neck or other embellishment. 

Prepare name tent using “Print and Cut” software

(or print names with enough space to trace 

the included tent tracing template and hand cut). 

Reindeer measures approx. 4.25” long x 5.9” tall x 

2.5” wide (antlers) when assembled. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
(NOTE: the exact number of shapes that you will
want to cut will depend on the layering test that you
will perform in Step 2; those listed are intended to be
a guide quantity, as was used for the model project
with textured card stock paper)

A main reindeer center body shape (1)
(NOTE the sample project uses the optional
bodies with the raised back)
B right body shape with eye (2) 
C left body shape with eye (2)
D nose shapes (2)
E & F leg assembles for front and back (5 each)
G antler shapes (5)   H test slot square with strips

2. Use the test slot shape to determine the "built up"

quantity of layers needed to have thickened components

that will slot together and remain assembled,

then slide apart for storage and use later.

Begin by layering and holding together five layers

of the intended card stock strips into a simulated stack.

(Can be glued together, but if so, begin with

four layers of strips then add the fifth if needed

for the snug fit that is aimed at.)

Insert the simulated stack into the slot to see if it
fits in and fills the slot snugly. If not, add a layer
and re-test. Or remove a layer and check that.
Once the target quantity is determined,
modify the number of shapes of body (add 1 middle
layer, for instance), legs, antler.

3. Begin layering the body by positioning and

attaching one side body over the middle (non-eye)

body shape, taking care to align ALL cut edges as

precisely as possible. Add the second matching side. . .

. . . then repeat for the two opposite side bodies.

If using liquid glue (recommended), use a flat
weighted object such as this fabric covered,
re-purposed weight machine bar to flatten
the glued-up shapes for a few hours until
completely dried and not cool to the touch.

4. Position and attach the two leg stacks in

a similar manner to the body. Press the stack

with a weight until completely dry.

5. Position and attach the antler shapes in

the same manner. Press the stack

with a weight until completely dry.

6. Position and attach a contrast nose on each

side of the body, corresponding to the silhouette

edges for the nose. The sample project uses red

for the traditional Rudolph look.

7. Also position and attach the contrast eye punch dot

into the eye recess, if desired. Or, use a fine tip felt

marker or similar inking tool to fill in the eye socket.

8. Fit the reindeer components together by

slotting together as shown at perpendicular angle

until the slot depths are fully pushed in.

NOTE this should be a snug fit and no glue

is needed, but can be glued if desired and stored

in its assembled form between seasons.

9. Position and fit the antler shape on

in the same manner.

10. Prepare the name card tent using the "Print & Cut"
method described by Silhouette America in
a tutorial such as THIS ONE.
(An optional tracing method is offered in Step 12)

As an overview, the steps involve:
a) opening the "Registration Marks Window" and
selecting the letter size paper that can be printed
on your household printer, and selecting the system you use.
b) bringing the tent shape to be printed onto
the cut-able area defined.
NOTE: the steps shown here position only ONE
name; you can fill the page between the registration
marks and crossed-out margin in shapes; 
just don't overlap any.
c) using the Text tool to type the name of the guest
onto the end (or rotate text copy and position 
on both ends) using the desired text style.
d) use the Fill tool to color the words as preferred
(my preference is NOT to use any line outline)

e) send the page to the printer, which will print

the names, but not the tent shape, and also include

the registration marks that will tell the Cameo optical

eye where to cut around the printed name.

f) position and smooth the printed sheet onto

the cutting mat as was pictured in the first image

of this step, to prepare to cut it out.

g) adjust the cutting settings for the paper selected,

then load the cutting sheet into the machine

and send to be cut.

h) the Cameo will see the registration marks

as it first begins, and complete its "reading/seeing"

protocol before the blades engage, so don't be

startled if you are not familiar with the routine.

i) once the shape(s) are cut, remove the cutting sheet

from the cutter, remove the tents from sheet,

11. Bend/fold the tent in half along the two perforation

guide lines (score with tool and straight edge lined up

with these cuts if stock is thick).

12. An alternative to the "Print & Cut" option is

to cut the tracing template with its window.

Prepare a regular printed page job using usual

text/type program such as Word to print the names

needed for guests, taking care to leave enough space

between/around the printed names.

(This may take some trial, error and adjusting.)

Center the name is desired in the window

and trace the outer edge as hand-cutting line.

Also mark the position of the top bends/folds.

This image shows the tracing completed.

13. Cut out using hand scissors or straight edge

and rotary or straight knife.

Position a straight edge connecting the marked

lines on each side at center then score to assist

folding, crease along lines.

14. Add bell or other embellishments as desired.

Position the tent over the back of reindeer

and it's ready to adorn a festive holiday table.

Or print buffet dish identification and use

the reindeer to help diners know what they are eating.