No Taxidermy involved here – this is a Reindeer friendly project. Make this cute Christmas Deer Head decoration for Christmas.
How I did it
- Supplies – Silhouette Cutting Machine & Accessories || Cutting file for a Reindeer/Stag Head (I used this one from the Silhouette Store) || My free File for the Reindeer’s Neck and the shield. (see end of tute) || Silhouette Chipboard or flattened Cereal box (I used cereal boxes) || Double sided foam tape || Woodgrain style contact paper, paper or cardstock || Scrap of Ribbon/Twine and Red Paper/Card ||Hole Punch
- In the Studio software adjust the page setting to suit the size of your Chipboard or cardstock.
- Open the Reindeer File & Select the Reindeer head, Resize as desired or to suit the card stock you are using. I resized mine to approx 18 x 14 cm
- with the Reindeer still selected, Choose: Offset > Internal offset > Set the offset size to 0.200cm > Apply.
- Then Select the new offset you have just created and repeat. Keep repeating until most of the internal space of the reindeer is filled with smaller shapes. I had a total of 5 off sets plus the original – giving me 6 layers. How many layers you need will depend on how big you made the reindeer. If you make a really large reindeer you may like to make the offset bigger than .200cm) Mine looked like this:
- Delete all the bits that are too small to cut – I’ve highlighted them in green below. Also, I had a tiny dot to delete near the arrow
- Now separate and spread out all the layers – I filled them with colour so they were easier to see. Also I noticed that the antlers in the purple reindeer were a bit too skinny to cut so I sliced them with the knife tool and deleted the top part.
- Now you are ready to cut – Re arrange the pieces first so they fit on the mat and cut them out. I needed 2 pieces of cereal box. I used the settings for Chipboard – they mostly cut all the way through although I did have to finish a few spots with my scalpel. My cereal box had a glossy finish, which I think made it more tricky to cut.
- To assemble, put little squares of Double sided foam tape on the back of all 5 offset pieces, Don’t put them too close to the edge or they’ll be visible when the finished piece is viewed from a side angle. Carefully center each one – I worked from the back putting the next smaller one on top….etc etc. Set aside.
- Make the shield – I lay the contact over plain cardstock first then cut the shield from the joined materials.
- Cut the neck from a scrap of cereal box/chipboard. Attach this with tape to the back of the head.
- I tied a small length of butchers twine around the neck and made a red nose from a scrap of red card with a hole punch
- Position and attach the head and neck to the shield with Double Sided Tape.
- All done!
The Reindeer is really light so I’m just popping mine on the wall with a little blu tack.
The Free File
Here’s the Free File for the Reindeer Neck and the Shield.
File for Version 3 Silhouette Studio File
File for Version 2 Silhouette Studio File
Want to Check Out More Silhouette Projects?
I hope you’ll join me on the Blog Hop below to see more Holiday Projects created with a Silhouette Cutting Machine. Just click here n the links below to explore all the projects. There’s a wealth of Silhouette inspiration!
1. Pineapples and Pinecones // 2. Simply Kelly Designs // 3. Architecture of a Mom // 4. Just a Girl and Her Blog // 5. Two Purple Couches // 6. Chicken Scratch NY // 7. Creative Ramblings // 8. One Dog Woof // 9. Ginger Snap Crafts // 10. The Thinking Closet // 11. Please Excuse My Craftermath… // 12. Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body // 13. weekend craft // 14. Dragonfly & Lily Pads // 15. Practically Functional // 16. Living My Given Life // 17. My Paper Craze // 18. The Kim Six Fix // 19. Home At Eight // 20. Queen of Everything // 21. Tried & True // 22. Mama Sonshine // 23. unOriginal Mom // 24. Create it. Go! // 25. From Wine to Whine // 26. GetSilvered // 27. It’s Always Ruetten // 28. Nearly Handmade // 29. McCall Manor // 30. Silhouette School // 31. It Happens in a Blink // 32. Create & Babble // 33. Sowdering About // 34. Where The Smiles Have Been // 35. My Favorite Finds // 36. Lil’ Mrs. Tori // 37. Designed Decor
Turned out great! I love the layered look!
Thanks Kerrie! It was fun to make.
Wow, Pam. I’m blown away by this project! What a creative use of the offset tool. And I also felt partial to this project because it was reminiscent of my {Rein}Deer Head Banner from last year. I just love the play on the classic Deer Head look…. Thanks for sharing such an easy to follow step by step. Thanks so much for joining in on the December Silhouette Challenge and Giveaway, and adding so much creativity into the mix.
Thanks for your kind words Lauren 🙂 I really enjoy participating in the challenges – they’re lots of fun.
I totally agree – Like you, I love the Classic Deer head look too, even more so when jazzed up with an optional red nose like our projects are 🙂 Even better is that we can say “No Reindeer were harmed in the making of these decorations” He He!
Pam ,
I am awed at how resourceful you were in making this Reindeer with your Silhouette. I love how it turned out and your tutorial is easy to follow. As always thank you for sharing your creativity!
Happy creating,
Karen Marie
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