As I was putting together the 3D elements of our 2021 Halloween door, a little light bulb went off! This 3D window shape also looked like a tombstone, which is oh-so fitting for Halloween! So, off I went to make my own custom cut file that I am sharing with you so you can make your own little graveyard tablescape!
Supplies needed:
- Silhouette CAMEO (link)
- Cutting mat (link)
- Scissors
- Cardstock (not too heavyweight, the kind you get from local craft stores are great)
- Vellum
- Crafting glue (Tombow’s Mono Liquid Glue is my absolute fav for papercrafting – link)
- Scrapbooking tape (link)
- Battery-powered tealights (link)
- Mini 3D tombstone cut file (link)
Step 1:
Download the free cut file and open it in Silhouette Studio or Cricut Design Space. The paper I used was letter-sized (8.5×11) so I stretched the file to fit within those dimensions. The cut file should be grouping of 4 tombstones and 3 vellum/front pieces.
You can always ungroup the cut file to make it larger if you’re planning on using a larger paper size. TIP: If you plan to do this, select both the tombstone shape with the vellum/front piece and increase those shapes together.
Step 2:
Let’s start by cutting out the 3D tombstones. First, ungroup the file. Move the vellum/front piece off the “canvas”. Load the cardstock paper and send to cut with proper settings. The dashed lines should make perforated lines that makes it easier to fold.
Step 3:
Next, let’s cut out the vellum/front pieces. Move the tombstones off the “canvas” and put the vellum/front pieces back on the “canvas”. Load the vellum onto your cutting mat and send to cut with proper settings.
Step 4:
Take the tombstone pieces and crease along the perforated lines. Now, create a fringe with scissors. About halfway down, make the fringes slimmer so that it makes the 3D building part easier at the top of the tombstone.
Step 5:
Dab glue along the fringe and begin pressing the fringe into the inside of the 3D tombstone shape. TIP: I like to glue and firmly press down and hold for a couple seconds before moving onto the the next section.
Step 6:
Once you fully make your way around the perimeter of the tombstone with the fringe, you can now add the vellum/front piece. Crease the perforated lines of the vellum piece. Also bend back the top tab piece where it meets the tombstone shape. Run a strip of scrapbooking tape to the bottom of the vellum piece and on the tab. Secure the vellum piece at the bottom of the 3D tombstone shape first. Then, insert your battery-operated tealight and turn it on. Then secure the vellum tab to the top of the 3D tombstone shape. It’s getting spooky cool, isn’t it?
Step 7:
This last step is optional but I think it really makes it fun! Cut out fun embellishments to go on the vellum/front piece. I added the letters RIP, paper bats, and a skull to mine. Have fun with yours!
We added a few stringy strands of faux spiderwebs for a more eerie effect! Currently, our mini graveyard is sitting on the top of our piano, which the kids love to see when they’re practicing. Whatever I can do to motivate them to practice! That’s a mom hack for ya! 🎃🙌