It’s no surprise that gnomes continue to be popular year after year. Last year, I had the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing designers for a Gnome Takeover.
I designed this really cute Mr. and Mrs. Gnome Bundle you can download for free and the other bloggers included even more gnome projects like a Gnome coffee cup sleeve, pop-up card, gift box, and more.
So it’s no surprise that we’ve decided to collaborate again.
This year I wanted to take that same gnome but make it into a 3D layered project to marry the love I have for gnomes and layered designs.
This design was inspired by Designs by Miss Mandee who makes amazing die cut files. Check her out!
For the bottom of my snow globe, I designed a rocking horse base that has a surprise box to hide a small gift or a note inside. You can leave it as a standing globe or I’ve also included a place at the top to hang it as an ornament on your Christmas tree.
The snow globe has acetate on the front so you can see through and I bought some fun wintery cardstock to make a snowy background. You could easily replace the background for another piece of acetate to have a truly see through snow globe.
Let me show you how to make the 3D Christmas Gnome Snow Globe in Cricut Design Space.
This can also be made using a Silhouette, Brother Scan n Cut, or another cutting machine. Just choose the file type that works for your machine. You can reference the ‘How to use cut files’ document included in the zip file to learn which file type is needed for your cutting machine.
If you’d rather watch a video tutorial, click on my Free Birthday Cake Layered Cut Files YouTube video below:
This post contains some affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you).
Materials & Supplies
- 3D Christmas Gnome Snow Globe Cut Files
- Cricut Cutting Mat – LightGrip or StandardGrip
- Acetate Sheet
- Cardstock – (This is a great project to use some scraps.)
- Winter is Coming Cardstock
- Tacky Glue
- Fine Tip Applicator Bottle
- Spatula (optional)
First, ungroup the layers by click Ungroup at the top of the Layers Panel.
If you’re adding the date or something else to the front plaque, choose the Text option from the Design Toolbar to the left of the Canvas.
Type out your text and make sure to select a writing font from the Edit Toolbar.
Resize the text and place it on the top of the plaque. Select both the text layer and the plaque and Align > Center Horizontally to ensure the text is centered.
Then click Attach at the bottom of the Layers Panel. This will ensure that the text is written on the plaque and not separately.
Now
Start by gluing together the two strips which will go around the snow globe to make it 3D. Add glue to either end of the strip with two tabs.
Then glue the strip with only one tab at the end to form one long strip. Set aside for the glue to dry.
Next, we’ll put together the Christmas tree. Start by folding the Christmas tree trunk along the three score lines.
Add glue to the Christmas tree.
Add the red layer of the Christmas tree.
Add glue to the other side of the Christmas tree (only the top) and sandwich the top together.
Add the snow and the star on top and you’ve finished the Christmas Tree. Here’s what it will look like when finished.
Now, let’s assemble the Gnome.
First, fold the score lines on the bottom black layer.
Next, glue on the beige layer. The gnomes hat and smile should be on the left. So when you add glue the hat and smile will on the right.
Glue on the red layer.
Glue on the gnome’s beard.
Add the present which will fit directly around the gnome’s hands. The top of the present is smaller than the bottom so you can tell which way it goes.
Add the ribbon to the present. The bigger part of the bow is the top.
Lastly, add the snowflake to the gnome’s hat. It’s pretty small which is why I love using the fine tip applicator.
Here’s what the gnome will look like when finished.
To make the base of the snow globe, start by making the box and lid. First, fold the score lines for the box.
Then glue the four tabs to the inside of the box. Hold each side for a few seconds before moving to the next tab.
That’s it. You now have a little box, perfect to add a small gift or a special note for someone special.
Now, repeat the steps for the lid. Because the lid sides are much small, I use the table to help fold the scorelines.
Next, add glue to the tabs and glue them to the inside of the lid.
You now have a finished lid. Let both dry fully before adding the lid to the box.
Add the decorative rails to the rocking horse sides.
It’s a mirrored design so there is no right or wrong side.
Add the plaque to one side. This will be the front of your snow globe.
The slits on the top of the lid are for the gnome’s feet, Christmas tree and the front and back of the snow globe. Make sure the two slits for the gnome’s feet are on the left and that will be the front of your lid. 
Glue the front of the rocking horse’s base to the front of the lid.
Then glue on the back and you have finished the base of the snow globe.
To make the snow globe, first, fold the score lines on the strip you glued at the beginning of the project.
Add glue to the front of the snow globe, this is the snow globe frame without the hook at the top.
Slowly place the strip around the snow globe frame with the tabs on the inside. Go slow and press down for a few seconds on each tab to make sure it’s secure as you go.
Let the glue dry for a few minutes before moving on.
Add glue on top of the tabs you just glued to the snow globe frame.
Place the acetate cut out on top of the glue and press down to firmly secure it.
Add glue to the top tabs so you can add the other snow globe frame.
Place the back snow globe frame on the tabs. Hold down for a few minutes and flip over to press down on each tab to make sure it’s secure. Let dry for a few minutes before moving to the next step.
Add glue to the top of the tabs on the back. This is where the fine tip applicator comes in handy!
Slide the background into the snow globe. You can also use acetate on the back to have a truly see-through snow globe but I loved this snowy background.
Use a spatula or another tool to press it on the glued tabs and secure it.
You now have the top of the snow globe complete!
We’re nearing the finish line and it’s time to put all the pieces of the snow globe together. First, place the gnome’s feet in the slits of the box lid. Go slow, remember you’re working with paper so take your time.
For the Christmas Tree, it doesn’t really matter which way you add it but I like to have the tab in the front.
I also added a little glue to the bottom of the Christmas tree.
Place the Christmas tree into the slit on the box lid.
I also added a little glue to the Christmas tree to secure it to the gnome.
Doesn’t it look great!
Now, place the top of the snow globe over the gnome and Christmas tree and slowly place the tabs of the snow globe top into the slits on the box lid.
Add a little glue to the tabs to secure them to the lid.
Add the box underneath the lid and you have a finished 3D Christmas Gnome Snow Globe.
Show off your 3D Christmas Gnome Snow Globe. It makes a great holiday decoration, Christmas ornament, or gift to a friend for the holidays.
- Gnome Pop Up Card – Paper Glitter Glue
- Christmas Gnome Earrings – Amy Romeu
- Naughty Gnome Christmas Tag – My Scrap Menagerie
- Gnome Christmas Ornament – Minor DIY
- Christmas Gnome Gift Tag Stickers – Well Crafted Studio
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