These cute little ornaments are versatile and simple to make. The hardest part about this ornament was the calculating the dimensions for the shadow box, and I've done all that math for you.
The first thing you will need is a suitable image. I like to choose indoor scenes that you might see when looking through a window. Whatever image you choose you need to resize and print it out 2-3 copies. To do this I copy and paste the image into a word document and resize it to 2.5" wide and 3.25" high and print using photo quality settings.
For this tutorial I wanted to keep it pretty simple so I only printed out two copies. You could simplify it even more and just print out one, or print out three for even more depth. To give the illusion of depth you need a background and then you can start layering elements of the foreground. You can see in the photo below that I have cut around Santa, removing the background. To add a little extra dimension I used clear craft glue to attach Sparkly Fluff to his hat and cuffs.
Next, choose a piece of scrapbook quality card in a colour that compliments your chosen image. Cut a rectangle that is 4" wide and 4.75" high. Score this at 1/4" and 3/4" on all four sides and then trim away the corner pieces as shown below. This is the shadow box that will be attached to the window frame.
Glue or tape the background image into the centre of the shadow box you just cut, as shown below. Place foam dots onto the back of the cutout Santa and then align this over the top of the background image.
Place strips of 1/4" double sided tape along the outer edges of the shadow box as shown below.
For the frame I use the Tim Holtz Window and Window Box Die. Cut one window frame from heavy weight card. The card I use is about the same thickness as a board-game board. Lighter weight card, such as cereal boxes, aren't sturdy enough for this project.
There are multiple ways in which you can decorate this frame. You can glue down book pages or scrap book paper onto the board before cutting the die. You can also paint or stain the die after you have cut it out, which is the method I have chosen here.
Once the front of the frame has been decorated and is dry flip it over and give the back one coat of paint. When dry, attach strips of 1/4" double sided adhesive tape.
Using a sheet of overhead projector plastic, or similar weight clear plastic, cut a piece 2.75" x 3.5". I like to re-purpose the plastic packaging that the dies come in. Remove the backing from the strips of tape and stick the clear plastic in place. This is the glass in the window frame.
Now it's time to attach the shadow box to the frame. I like to start with the long edges as these will align right up against the edge of the window frame, as shown below.
Then stick down the shorter sides, you should have nice flush corners like this...
The "hard" part is over! You will need to attach a hanger of some kind, for this ornament I chose to use red and green rick-rack that I attached with tacky glue.
You can add decorations to the front of the frame, or not, whichever you prefer! The gem I used here was re-purposed from an old (and very ugly) ornament.
The glare from the plastic makes these quite difficult to photograph, but I guarantee you will love the finished product. The depth that you get from the different elements and dimensions makes this a captivating ornament.
