3D NATIVITY SCENE SVG

This 3D Nativity Scene SVG is the perfect answer to a very simple yet beautiful Christmas Ornament to make. Let me show you how easy it is, plus it’s FREE!

When I designed this SVG, I had a specific project in mind and wanted to use one of those half-dome plastic ornaments to showcase the adorable Nativity Scene.

In fact, it’s kinda hard to see in the picture above, due to the bling of the glitter and the reflection of the plastic dome. I took the picture facing at the ornament so you are actually seeing the Nativity Scene through the plastic ornament.

If you are new to using SVG files, please note you do not have to make this specific project with the free SVG. You could decide to use it on a wood round piece of wood for a door hanger as an example.

The beauty of an SVG file is that you can scale it up or down in size and not lose any quality in the file.

Today we’ll be using different colors of cardstock to make this 3D Christmas Ornament.

Also, note this blog post also includes some more FREE Christmas Inspired SVGs from my Crafty Designer Friends. Be sure to scroll down below to see them!

SUPPLIES

Table of Contents

FREE 3D NATIVITY SCENE SVG FILE

HOW TO SET UP 3D NATIVITY SCENE SVG IN CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: GET THE NATIVITY SCENE DESIGN

First, download my free 3D Nativity Scene SVG/DXF/EPS/PDF, from my free Resource Library If you plan on cutting your design on a cutting machine, upload the file to your design software.

Click on “New Project”

Select “Upload”

choose upload button on the Design Space Canvas to upload your design files

Then “Upload image”

select upload image to upload one of your design files

Choose one of the two methods shown below for uploading your file choice

showing 2 ways to upload your Design Files into Design Space

Choose “Upload” to place the design onto the Design Space canvas.

Select your uploaded image, then click on “add to canvas”

This is what my Nativity Scene SVG file looks like in Cricut Design Space

how the design looks when you upload it to Cricut Design Space

STEP 2: CUT THE NATIVITY SCENE

First, let’s “Ungroup” the Nativity Scene Design File by clicking on the Group/Ungroup button as seen below.

If you do not resize this SVG it will be the perfect size for the 8cm size plastic ornaments.

using the group button to ungroup your design file

Notice in the layers panel on the right in the picture above, each layer of the design all say “3D Nativity Scene SVG”

I am going to double-click on each one of those layers so I can rename them (brand new feature in Design Space, Yay!)

Now by looking at the picture below you can tell what each layer actually is!

Note the layer I named “Score line (optional)”. If you want to score the line or use a pen where you will place the plastic ornament on the back piece, then be sure to click on it in the layers panel and then go to the “Operation” drop-down choices and choose pen or score, then attach it to the “Back Scalloped Layer”

This might be a helpful option if you were using solid color cardstock instead of glitter and it was children trying to line up the plastic ornament and know where to glue it.

If you don’t plan on using it for your project, then click on the “eye” icon to the right of the named layer and turn it off or simply delete that one layer. TIP: You need to hover your mouse where it says Score line to see the eye to turn off the layer since the last update to Design Space.

Here is a picture of wanting to change it to a “draw” file from a cut file. All files come in as a “cut file” You need to change a layer type yourself as it’s not something that can be done prior to loading into Design Space.

This is what the file would now look like below.

changing a cut file to a pen or score file

Feel free to let me know in the comments section if you have any questions or you can also email me!

The last step I’m going to do before cutting the project is to duplicate the “Back scalloped layer”. This way I can add the same or another color of glitter cardstock to the back of the ornament to cover up the plain white backing of the glitter cardstock.

Click on the “Back Scalloped layer” and then click on the “duplicate” icon as shown in the picture below.

You could also skip cutting the additional back piece and opt to have your Children write a message if they were making these as gifts or the year they make them in.

It’s totally up to you to design your own special Nativity Scene SVG Ornament!

Here is what all of the layers look like in Design Space minus the Score/Pen line (I turned that layer off)

Remember you don’t have to re-size the SVG if you are going to be using the ornaments I linked in the supplies list as they are the perfect size to fit this file.

showing all 6 layers of the nativity scene svg in Cricut Design Space

Now your file is ready to send to your Cricut to cut!

Click on “Make it”

Next, select each mat on the left and select the paper size you are using. Do this for each color then click on the top one, then click on “Continue”

On the next screen, you can select your material settings. I chose 65# cardstock with “more” pressure, I find this setting works well for me for most cardstock that is 65# weight.

showing material settings and pressure settings for project

For my Glitter Cardstock, I used the Cricut Glitter cardstock setting as that is the paper I had in stock. But if you use heavier glitter cardstock, be sure to test cut a small circle or shape. You may need to use the #110 weight cardstock setting.

Next, we will just place our cardstock on a green standard mat and load each color according to what displays on your computer screen.

placing white cardstock onto the standard green cricut mat

Place the mat into your Cricut and Press the “Load” button as seen below

pressing the load button to load cardstock to cut on the Cricut machine

Next, press the “Go” button

pressing the go button on the Cricut machine

Now, the Cricut will proceed to cut your designs precisely as you load each mat with a different color cardstock.

I want to share how I remove my cardstock from the mat correctly without bending the cardstock design pieces.

First, unload your mat then turn your mat with the cardstock still on it upside down as seen below

Just slide your hand to where you see the cardstock and gently nudge the cardstock from the mat onto your craft surface. Once you do it a few times, it just becomes second nature and your cardstock will always look its best.

turning mat upside down to release cardstock

releasing cardstock from the mat a little at a time to prevent curling

releasing the sheep layer from the cricut mat

Then proceed to cut all your colors out for your design then we can assemble the Nativity Scene SVG Ornament

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE THE NATIVITY SCENE SVG ORNAMENT

Let’s look at how the pieces will be layered below

I wasn’t able to get photos while gluing the ornament together but I can share that it is super simple and easy to do!

First I glued the “Back and Bottom” pieces with the glue for cardstock that I listed in the supply list. When you are done you will see one gold side and one silver side, now set that aside as we glue the rest of the design pieces next.

Glue the #2 (sheep) to #1 (joseph & mary)

Glue #3 (donkey) on top of the sheep

Glue #4 (star) on top of the donkey

Next, tie your ribbon or twine, etc to the hole of the ornament as it’s a lot easier to tie it on now before you glue the plastic dome to the ornament base.

Now you can glue the silhouette (mary & joseph & animals) onto the Base piece of the ornament (just center it and glue it)

The very last thing to do is use a glue gun to put a thin line around the base of the plastic ornament and then press it onto the ornament base.

nativity scene design make from glitter and different colors of cardstock and a plastic half-dome ornament case

STEP 4: SHARE YOUR BEAUTIFUL NATIVITY SCENE ORNAMENT

These ornaments are such an easy and quick project to make yet have a lovely look to them. I especially love using the glitter cardstock to give it some pretty bling!