Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I start working early on these seasonal items to be sure I have enough for my shop and for DIY Christmas gifts. I’ve never been a glitter or sparkle kind of girl, but when I saw the huge variety of ‘subdued bling’ at 12x12 Cardstock, I was inspired to try something different.

This Christmas Village file by Pixaroma on Etsy caught my attention because of the variety of color interpretations, and I decided to make a white on white version with mostly white cardstock and specialty papers. The link above will allow you to purchase the design and the instructions for making it.

Supplies for white winter scene shadowbox

• Gold foil cardstock:
  • In the unframed version/photo I used Golden Glow Matte Foil Cardstock by Encore (I like this option best)
  • In the framed version/photo I used California Gold Mirror Foil Cardstock by Encore
• Silver Speckled White Glitter Luxe Cardstock by Encore
  • I used this for the single tree layer
• Bright White Glitter Luxe Cardstock by Encore
  • I used this for the back layer of trees
  • I have used this on a lot of Christmas projects – it adds such a punch!
• Midnight Sky Glitter Luxe Cardstock by Encore
  • The blue flecks in this are GORgeous!
• Premium White 12x12 Letterpress Cardstock – Canaletto Grana Grossa
  • I used this for the front layer because I felt it added some weight to the look of the design (no pun intended) 
• White Silk 12x12 Pearlescent Cardstock So Silk
  • These papers actually look like silk fabric!
  • I used this for Santa and his sleigh
    • I made an earlier version using White Gloves Core’dinations Cardstock, and it was stunning for this layer, so that's another fun option.
  • Classic White 12x12 Faux Leather Cardstock Leatherlike
    • I used this for the lamppost layer
  • Salt Dotted Swiss by Bazzill
    • I used this for the front layer of trees
  • Snowy White Encore
    • I used this for the front of the village
  • AdTech Glue Runner
  • Double-sided foam tape
  • Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue

Directions:

• After downloading the file from Pixaroma, I cut all the pieces with my Cricut Maker.
  • I dedicate a cutting blade just for glitter cardstock because the glitter decreases the life of the blade by about half. 
• Assemble the layers according to the directions in the file.
  • I always use the Bearly Art glue if a layer involves the ‘crusty’ side of glitter cardstock, otherwise the layers won’t stay together. Liquid glue seeps into those crevices.
  • I placed the finished design under one of my husband’s huge art textbooks to press everything in place.
• The photos for this project demonstrate two finished sizes – 11x14 and 8x10. Since this file is shaped a bit oddly, I used a black mat in the front of the 11x14 white shadowbox to give it a nice professional look. I plan to do the same for the 8x10 version.

Want to customize your own winter scene shadowbox? 

No problem. Use my design as inspiration and create your layers with dies or cut files you already own. Get creative and imagine a whole scene, then cut the layers from my recommended white cardstock and specialty papers. 

Enjoy!

-Pam
@papergirlshop

Here's another cool shadow box project!