(click on the pics to enbiggan)
I have often admired those beautiful vintage style diorama tree ornaments--there is something so magical about the tiny scale of a world housed inside a globe or small box! Last year, I was jonesin' for about a dozen of them to decorate our family tree, but with each one I found, at $15-24 each (gasp!), I just couldn't bring myself to plunk down the coins...
This year, I decided I was going to make my own (Go, me!!!) and I had SOOOO much fun that I envision making many more!!! *monkey clapping* And, when my granddaughter is old enough, I imagine this will be a holiday craft she and I will really enjoy doing together--just the thought of that makes me smile!
There are many different "containers" that you can use for a diorama, depending on the scale and size, but I happened to have an old gift card tin laying around and realized a great way to recycle it would be to use it to create an ornament sized diorama.
One of the fun things about making this diorama was using some of my favorite card-making stamps and supplies (project specific supplies listed at the end of this article). It helped me to have an idea in mind, which was to create snowy hillsides with little houses nestled among the trees. Full Disclosure: I am heavily influenced by my desires for a white Christmas. I wish for snow every single year. *grin*
An important thing to keep in mind with dioramas is to build the scene from back to front, and not to glue anything down permanently until you are satisfied with placement. You can click on the step-out photo guide below to enbiggan.
HOW TO:
- Gather stamps and embellishments in your desired theme, along with inks, paints, card stock and other tools
- Discard the insert from the tin then trace the tin onto card stock to create the backing; I also traced again onto white card stock to create snow drifts (see step #4) for my winter scene. Trim to fit as needed
- Stamp the snowfall pattern with white ink onto the kraft panel and set aside to dry
- Stamp trees with green inks onto scrap white card stock; paint chipboard houses, allow them to dry, then add details with a white gel pen
- Use a Crop-a-dile (or a nail & hammer) punch holes into the top of the tin for threading a twine hanger
- Glitter the edges of the snow drifts then 3D mount them into the tin--keep in mind that part of the enchantment of a diorama is the illusion of depth that staggered layers of dimension creates
- Once the background is in place, temporarily place embellishments and afix foam dots on the backs as needed for support; when I was satisfied with my scene I snapped a quick pic with my phone to guide me later as I was mounting them permanently. I coated the little houses with Rock Candy glitter to mimic the sugary glittered effect of vintage ornaments and applied Stickles Lime Glitter to the trees and mounted everything into place once they were dry
- Die cut some clouds from patterned paper and score the bottoms at 1/8" to create a flap; apply double-sided tape to the flaps
- This is an upside down view of the inside of the ornament; secure the flaps of the clouds to the inside top of the tin
- Further embellish as desired; I added some Gold Stickles Glitter Glue to the clouds and spread it out with the tip of my finger for just a smidge of sparkle and also added some gold confetti stars to the background
I couldn't resist the upside down clouds--I think they add a whimsical charm to my little miniature world!
I hope you get to enjoy some crafty time during the holiday season!
Happy Christmas, everyone!
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SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Lawn Fawn "Let It Snow"
DIES: My Favorite Things Flat Bottom Clouds
INKS: Hero Arts Unicorn (White), Adirondack Lettuce Pigment
PAINTS: Distress Paint in Barn Door
PAPER: Neenah Solar White Card Stock, Neenah Desert Storm Card Stock
EMBELLISHMENTS: Maya Road Chipboard Welcome Home (Houses), Rock Candy Loose Glitter, Stickles Lime & Golden Rod Glitter Glues, Lawn Fawn Peppermint Twine
TOOLS: Crop-a-Dile, Uniball White Gel Pen, Big Shot, Martha Stewart Mini Score Board, Soft Grip Stylus Tool
ADHESIVES: Kool Tak Foam Adhesive Squares, Two Way Glue Chisel Tip, Glue Glider Pro High Tac & Dispenser, 1/8" Be Creative Tape
OTHER: Gold Confetti Stars, Text Patterned Paper Scrap(from my stash)