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.

Reindeer & Folk Art Christmas Tree Block Inspirations

Watch for these print & cut paper foundation quilt blocks 

"Reindeer" and "Folk Art Christmas Tree", available to purchase and download

from the SnapDragon Snippets through the

Silhouette America online store.

These two blocks were used to create these projects,

including the wall quilt (borders added, reindeer block reversed),

card pouch (borders and point, double layered pocket)

and button-on pillow covers.

Stockings to Hang by the Chimney

Just a week 'til Christmas, and I am still finding time to have some paper crafting fun. 

This post is sharing three different stockings with lots of fun details and embellishments.
Cut files for the complete stockings are now (or soon) available as purchased downloads
from SnapDragonSnippets.com, SVG Attic, or Silhouette America, 

All stocking designs have a main base shape, a larger scalloped edge base shape with lacing holes. A template is included so that the back layer can be cut from wool felt. An eyelet hole is punched through layers that corresponds to the hanging "loop" shape which can be folded over and attached. 








The first one is "Teddy & Train". You can find a closeup of the teddy in a later photo in this post. It has the most shapes and the most detail. The locomotive is assembled on a whole base, with details and button embellishments on wheels, etc. Bear tucks into a pocket that has punch holes for optional eyelets, needle holes that align with holes in the next layer base to attach pocket with twine or thick thread like perle cotton.

Here is the second stocking, "Reindeer & Holly". 

Hopefully you can tell that the card stock and printed paper layers are adhered and laced to a backing of cream wool felt. This makes it possible to actually put something inside, though not quite as comfortably as could be done if they were all fabric.

The third is "Cardinal & Christmas Birdhouse".

Here you can see some of the details of the teddy bear. He is made of 5 layers of lightweight card stock so he can be "played with". A short length of chain attaches him to the paper pocket, so he won't get lost.

Reindeer & Wreath Pillow from Cut Stencil

Finished Reindeer pillow
in a Christmas decor ensemble

This simple yet graphic pillow seemed the perfect IDEA to 

coordinate with my other seasonal  "stuffies". 

A vinyl stenciling inspiration was offered recently on the Silhouette blog. 

After seeing that, I was hoping to recreate instead 

the rustic feed sack Pottery Barn look for myself. 

As I searched my Silhouette  library, suddenly it clicked

 that by combining a couple of designs, I could stencil something 

that would be "practically perfect".

Taped-up design, adhesive-sprayed and positioned

Designs I selected are "reindeer" by Snapdragon Snippets and "olive branch wreath" (can't find the designer to give attribution). Text was created with the text tool, then I stencil-ized the words by erasing parts. 


Next, I manipulated the designs on my Studio screen by enlarging, reversing the image, rearranging, etc. Since I am still working on the smaller mat Silhouette-1 machine, I could NOT assemble the complete layout on-screen. 


Also,  I could only cut part of the wreath design in the scale I wanted to fit around the reindeer. So instead of cutting a vinyl stencil, I cut card stock parts, played around with the "cutouts" until I got the arrangement I wanted, then laid the stencil "negative" areas back over the cutouts and taped them together well. I sprayed adhesive on the backside, then positioned and "rolled" it well to make sure all edges were sealed down. I also masked off the entire piece of fabric so that there would be no over-spray paint where it wasn't wanted.

Next I sprayed with acrylic brown paint. Because I want the "worn" look, I used light but even coverage.

(You may notice that I used a small cut circle, temp-glued in place for the reindeer eye.)

When the paint was dry, I peeled away the stencil. Being a card stock stencil, it was still in great shape and I used it to stencil more pillow fronts. This is something that a stencil cut from vinyl can't accomplish very well.

Here is the completed pillow front (though in this shot, I have not yet removed the eye "dot").

And finally, the finished pillow, with added red flange edge accent.