SVG files, tutorials and more for your electronic cutter.
The first thing you’ll need to do is get the free SVG file you’ll use for this project. I keep all the SVG files I use for the projects I make in my SVG Library. These SVG files work with Cricut and Silhouette machines, as well as many others. This library is open to everyone and is free! You can access the library here. Look for the file called We Wish you a Merry Christmas. It will be listed under the category-Craftmas 2020 – Day 21.
Open the design in your software program. Resize the tree so it’s 8″ wide and leave the height proportional. Group everything together and cut it as one color to make a stencil
I used Oracal 651 for the stencil because I have lots of it to use up, but you can also use Stencil Vinyl or Oracal 631.
When everything is sized correctly, you can cut the stencil with your Cricut or Silhouette. Once it has finished cutting, weed away the excess vinyl. Since this is a stencil, you’ll be pulling out the letters and stars from inside the tree shape.
Cut a piece of transfer tape a little larger than the design. Place the vinyl on the transfer tape.
Use a scraper to rub over the design.
Then, trim off the excess transfer tape.
For this project, I used the large tree from this stacking tree set. Everything is cut, so you just need to glue the tree together. Start by adding some glue to the top of the largest piece of the tree.
Than, place the next largest piece on top of that.
Repeat these steps until all the pieces are glued together, but don’t glue the trunk on, yet. Let the glue dry for a couple of minutes, then wipe away any excess glue.
Next, we’re going to paint. Paint the tree with a couple coats of green paint.
Paint the trunk brown and a little wooden star yellow.
Once the paint on the tree has dried completely, it’s time to apply the vinyl stencil. Place the vinyl so it’s facing down, and then pull off the vinyl backing. I like to do it this way so the vinyl doesn’t curl.
Place the vinyl on the tree and center it. The stencil should match up pretty close to the shape of the wood tree.
Once it’s in place, use a scraper and rub over the entire design.
Carefully pull off the transfer tape.
Rub over the design a few more times with a scraper.
Paint over the stencil with a light coat of the green paint.
Once the paint is dry to the touch, fill in the stencil. I used white for the words and red for the little stars.
You’ll want to do a couple of light coats rather than one thick heavy coat.
Once the paint is dry to the touch, carefully pull off the stencil.
You can use a craft knife or weeding tool to pull out the centers of the letters.
All that’s left to do is glue on the little wood star and the trunk.
It looks so cute! What a fun Christmas decoration.