Nativity Diorama Shadow Box Cards with Bibi | Video Post

Hello from Scotland,  it's Bibi Cameron and today I have loads of pictures and ideas to create extra cute diorama/shadow box cards using beautiful Neat and Tangled supplies from the latest releases.

 I  used  "Nativity Play", "Angel Wings" and "Oh dear" stamp and die sets by Neat and Tangled.I also used Seeing Starts dies and  Card Front Designs die set.

All the cards in this post are 1"depth.

In the video below I'm sharing the card making process, some tips and a formula to create this kind of cards in any size. 

As I mentioned in the video. I  used  300 grams and 240 grams paper to make these cards. 

I thought that 300 grams paper could be to thick for this projects but you can make your own mind about what kind of paper you would prefer to use after watching my video. I'm still not sure what it is the best.  I'm Ok with 300grams but I  found easier to work with 240 grams or 270 grams paper for this kind of project. Just because the thick cardstock is very stubborn!

For the card above I used 240 grams paper. 

The front of this car measures 6"x6" inches and the card folded measures 7" width so that the envelope was customized to fit a 6"x7" inches card.  I used an envelope punch board to make the envelope. it only takes 30 secs. 

This is my fav card size to create a nativity scene with images from Nativity Play and Angel Wings. I just feel I  have more room to lay out elements.

I added colours to all the images in this post using Ciao Copic Markers ( Set B) and I added shimmer with a Nuvo Shimmer Pen.

You won't have any trouble to fit the cards inside the envelopes. They will be just a bit bulky I think that using 300 grams paper for cards that will be mailed could be a better option.

Here you can see how the card lay flat on the envelope and yes! This card is big. I love it!

Here is a card that will fit a C6 American standard envelope. Folded it measures 5-1/2 " x 4-1/4" inches. However, to fit the angels and Balthazar the card might need a larger envelope so I used a UK British standard C6 envelope but this was only because some of the die cuts are out of the frame.

I used 300 grams cardstock to make this card. The 3rd layer of cardstock is made out of 240 grams cardstock.

Below another card idea, the layout is not vertical but horizontal also using 300 grams.

 You don't need to do anything different to put this card together, just turn around the paper and stick your images as they fit better or in any orientation.

I also used Cubic Simply  Stencil  and Distress Oxide Inks to add interest to front  panels of the cards.

The front if this card measures 5-1/2 " x 4-1/4" inches and folded it measures 5-1/2 " x  5-1/4" inches. 

It will fit in a 6"x6"  envelope or you can customize envelope to perfect size using an envelope punch board.

So here is the formula for a 4 layers Shadow Box  Card - Diorama Card

FRONT AND BACK PANELS PAPER SIZE

• WIDTH: 

To calculate the width of the paper you need to add the envelope / or card front width + desired box depth.

If you want your shadowbox to be  1"  deep you need to score the paper 1" from both ends. If you want a slim shadow box card e/g.  1/2"inch you should apply formula above and score the paper 1/2" from both sides.

• LENGHT:  

For a square or rectangular card, you can choose your desired length...  any length is ok but keeping proportions.

• INSIDE PANELS OR INSERTS SIZE

When you add layers of paper into your shadowbox,  the walls of your box became thicker and thicker so that the inserts should be slightly narrower and when you adhere them into your card they will keep straight and they won't bend inside so that the card will fold flat.

Off course,  this is not something  I read in a book.  It is just my own personal formula to make the job easy. Although I have to accept that I can easily skip any of the steps and my cards will be wonky..  it is fine tho.. perfection and handmade sometimes are not a good match :) lol.

 The inside panels or inserts pieces do not need to have the same width and depth than the exterior box but they can have the same length as the box if you want to. I like it that way but depending on what you are planning to do you can do different staff with shorter inserts... e.g. add stripes of grass, clouds etc into your cards.

1. To calculate the size of  the insert that goes behind the front panel  you need the next formula:

 Envelope /card front width  - minus  1/8" inches
To calculate where to score folding lines at both ends of your panels, you need to divide the depth of your box by two  (2). 

2. To calculate the size of a second panel behind the front panel of the box you need the next formula:

Envelope / or card front width -   minus 1/2 of the box depth  measurement  -  minus 1/8" inches
To calculate where to score the folding lines at the end of your panels you need to divide the depth of your box by four 4.

I explain all this a bit better in the video . Soundss a bit confusing but that's the math to create a perfectly shaped shadowbox or diorama card.

Make sure to watch my video.. available here!

happy crafting!

x

Bibi