Kissing Reindeer Standing Dome by Betsy Skagen

Despite one politician's recent coffee cup hullabaloo, I am over-the-moon delighted that the season has arrived to greet each other with holiday greetings--whether it be Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas or Happy Kwanzaa. 

As crafters, many of us have been making holiday items for months, so if you are anything like me, Betsy Skagen of Paper Calliope, you are more than ready to share some holly jolly spirit.

 

Tutorial How to Make the Kissing Reindeer Standing Dome

As Gina's November 2015 Guest Designer, I chose this project because the shape of Gina's Standing Dome Frame Oval reminded me of a piece of furniture that used to stand in my grandmother's front hall. That, however, is where the similarities end. A relatively stern woman, my grandmother would never have had something so sparkly and frivolous in her possession.

Step 1: Paint fence, backdrop and base of Standing Dome Frame Oval and the Moon String Along  with gesso. Let dry. Do NOT paint the Flourished Deer with gesso as the layers get too thick for the intricate cuts. Trust me on this, I know. If you don't trust me, trust Gina because she had to drop everything and send me another pair of reindeer when I messed up the first pair. Good thing she is so efficient that she puts Santa's workshop to shame.

 

Step 2: Paint both sides of Flourished Deer, back drop and base with a rich brown matte acrylic paint. Let dry.

Step 3: Paint both sides of moon with a matte yellow acrylic paint. Let dry.

Step 4: Paint both sides of fence with a gloss red acrylic paint. Let dry.

 

Step 5: Lightly coat one side of moon with Mod Podge and cover with extra fine glitter. Let dry. Repeat on other side of moon.

 

Step 6: Adhere blue glitter foam sheet to front of backdrop. Flip over and use a utility blade to carve out the oval.

Step 7: Using a strong adhesive, assemble the Standing Dome Frame Oval (the backdrop, fence and base).

Step 8: I found it tricky to get the deer to adhere the deer in a way that they stayed perfectly upright. I tried a few different solutions and this was what worked best for me.

First, determine the placement of your deer and lightly mark the location of their front and back hooves on the base with a pencil. Use masking tape to temporarily adhere the deer in place.

 

Then find four long nails with large flat heads. Temporarily place one nail upright against the back of a front deer leg and determine where to pierce the base so that the nail best supports the deer leg. Mark this spot on the base. Repeat this for a front and rear leg of each deer.

Remove the deer from the base. Use a hammer and pierce the base where you marked with each nail. Flip the base over and insert the nails so that the flat head is snug against the bottom of the base.

 

Return the base to its upright position and adhere the deer hooves to the base with strong adhesive and adhere the deer legs to the nails with narrow strips of brown or white duct tape.

Step 9: Determine the best height to hang the moon and cut off the unneeded stem of chipboard. Adhere the stem to the back of the backdrop.

 

Step 10: Add faux snow to the fence, base and reindeer legs. Make snowdrifts to hide the nails. Let dry.

I hope you found inspiration in this tutorial. Don't forget that in just a few days Gina's Lasercuts will become Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. Happy Holidays! -Betsy

 Gina's Designs

    Standing Dome Frame Oval

    Flourished Deer

    Moon String Along

Great stuff you will need

    Foam blue glitter sheet

    Gesso

    Matte acrylic paint in brown and yellow

    Red glass acrylic paint

    Four 3" nails with flat heads

    Mod Podge

    Aleene's True Snow

    Extra fine glitter

    Beacon Fabri-Tac Adhesive