I’m taking it back to the carnival again with my latest 3D die cut design! If you are a fan of the intricate carousel paper craft I shared a little while back, then you’re going to LOVE the project I’ve got for you today. Break out the hot glue and all the colored cardstock you have on hand, and let’s make this awesome, die cut 3D Ferris wheel together!
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Creating my paper carousel was my most complex die cut design to date, and definitely a labor of love. When I was coming up with the design, I wasn’t sure how people were going to respond, but I’ve been blown away by how much everyone has enjoyed it! I was worried that no one would want to go to that much effort to assemble such a complex piece, but more people have been up for the challenge than I could have imagined. I never should have doubted you guys!
So, if you’re ready to take on bigger die cut projects, then so am I! That’s why I decided to create another fun 3D project; this time, themed after another classic, rotating carnival attraction—the Ferris wheel.
Supplies
- Cardstock
- Lollipop Sticks
- Hot Glue
- Bone Folder (optional)
- A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
- My Free Template
How to Make
1. Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the Ferris wheel pieces.
Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending through your cutting machine. If you’re not using the SVG file that includes score lines, you can use the PDF version as a reference to know where your folds need to go.
2. Fold the base pieces and glue them together. Fold and attach the larger, rectangular base piece to the straight pieces.
3. Glue the embellishment pieces to the larger wheel pieces, layering the one with the cut-out design on top of its solid counterpart.
Note: The paper I used for the wheel was on the thinner side, so I ended up backing it with a second piece of cardstock. Depending on the thickness of your cardstock, you may want to do the same.
4. Glue the embellishments on each of the Ferris wheel cars. Fold and assemble the cars like so.
5. Attach the stands to the base by inserting and gluing the tabs. Attach the wheel pieces to the stands by inserting a trimmed lollipop stick through the center hole.
6. Similarly, attach each Ferris wheel car by inserting a lollipop stick (trimmed to size) through corresponding holes in each side of the wheel.
7. Use the small circle pieces to cover up the ends of your lollipop sticks, and you’re done!
I went with matching colors for my Ferris wheel, and I just think it looks adorable next to my carousel, don’t you?
Ferris wheels have actually been on my mind a lot lately, believe it or not. My husband has been doing a lot of research about the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, which happens to be where the Ferris wheel first debuted! For the past few months, he’s been peppering me with interesting tidbits about the fair and what took place. So, naturally, I had him in mind when I made this design.
I use Adobe Illustrator for all of my designs, and a Cricut Maker to bring my creations to life. For tips on creating fun paper cuts like this one, see the FAQ section on my website. Also, be sure to check out the other awesome die cut freebies available on my blog!
Enjoy putting this super cute, die cut 3D Ferris wheel together! If you’re enjoying these more complex die cut projects, do you have any suggestions for future designs?
*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through my links to make a purchase, you are supporting this blog and the hard work that goes into providing free, quality designs.
Mandee is a professional graphic designer, amateur bird watcher, and rollercoaster enthusiast. She is a wife to hardworking high school teacher and mommy to three adorable little humans. She fell in love with graphic design when she started working on a comedy website with a guy she met her freshman year of college. Design wasn’t the only thing she fell in love with, and they were married a year and a half later. She created Designs By Miss Mandee to be a place where she could merge her passion for design with her lifelong love of crafting. 42 Comments on Die Cut 3D Ferris Wheel
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Katrin
August 1, 2019 at 6:28 am (4 years ago)Thank you so much. It looks sooo fantastic. Love it.
Greetings, Katrin
Mandee
August 1, 2019 at 8:21 am (4 years ago)Thanks Katrin! I’m glad you like it! 😀
Antonella
February 2, 2021 at 1:24 pm (3 years ago)Thanks! Super cute! 🤩🥰🤩🥰🤩
A Moon
August 1, 2019 at 6:41 am (4 years ago)Looking forward to this. I had such fun doing the carousel. Thank you.
Mandee
August 1, 2019 at 8:22 am (4 years ago)Yay!! It’s fun to have a matching set! ^_^
Kym
July 26, 2022 at 3:55 pm (1 year ago)Hi Miss Mandee,
I created your ferris wheel but mine won’t stand up. I used light card stock but I double up on the wheel and the stand pieces in the hope it would make it a little stronger but it must have made it too top heavy. Mine also doesn’t spin well without pieces getting caught. Might have to go back to the drawing board but it certainly looks great.
Mandee
July 27, 2022 at 10:58 am (1 year ago)Darn! Yeah, this can be a tricky one. You could try adding something more rigid to the posts and base—like popsicle sticks. And even mine doesn’t spin particularly well. It’s mostly for looks. 😊
Kathy
August 1, 2019 at 7:09 am (4 years ago)Wow, wow and wow again! I absolutely love your 3D creations, they are adorable! Your Ferris wheel will be on display along side your carousel in my craft room. Thank you so much for generously sharing your talent! I will send you a photo when I get the Ferris wheel together!
Thank you again,
Kathy
Mandee
August 1, 2019 at 8:23 am (4 years ago)Aww, thanks Kathy! You are sweet. Yes, definitely send pictures my way (mandee@designsbymissmandee.com)! I LOVE to see it when other people bring my designs to life!! 😀
Nicole Soh
August 1, 2019 at 8:33 am (4 years ago)This is awesome! I’m mostly a scrapbooker so I love that it won’t be hard at all to use the template to cut out a flat version too!
Mandee
August 1, 2019 at 8:58 am (4 years ago)Most definitely! Have fun scrapbooking with this design!!
Charlotte Silber
August 1, 2019 at 9:03 am (4 years ago)Thank You, you are sweet to share talent with us.
Mandee
August 1, 2019 at 3:40 pm (4 years ago)😊😊😊
Katie Hernandez
August 7, 2019 at 8:16 am (4 years ago)your creations always amaze me!!!! outstanding job!!! did the carousel and added some fairy lights to it.
Do you think that you can make a 3d pop corn stand? I think that Circus/carnival themed 3d cut files would be so cool!!!
thank you so much for all of these amazing designs.
Mandee
August 7, 2019 at 8:24 am (4 years ago)Aww, thank you Katie! I’m glad you’ve had fun making my other projects too. I do want to continue the carnival theme for a little while longer—I hadn’t considered a popcorn stand, but I love that idea! Thanks for the suggestion. 😀
KA
March 31, 2020 at 6:02 pm (4 years ago)hi! do you think this. could be used for a bridal shower to hold treats?
Mandee
April 1, 2020 at 9:34 am (4 years ago)That would be so cute! It could probably handle something light, like marshmallows. Anything much heavier, and you’d need something stronger than paper for the support beams. 🙂
Tiffany
April 24, 2020 at 2:00 pm (4 years ago)I had so much fun making the ferris wheel and carousel
looking forward to see what you create next
Mandee
April 25, 2020 at 12:18 pm (4 years ago)I’m so happy to hear that!! I always love knowing that people are enjoying my creations. 😀
cassandra
August 10, 2020 at 7:06 pm (3 years ago)Hi there, im trying to download this and your carousel however cant seem to DL on my chromebook. Is there some way you can send to me through email? would love this for my daughters bithday coming up.
Thanks 🙂
Mandee
August 11, 2020 at 1:35 pm (3 years ago)Hi Cassandra! I’m sorry that you are having trouble with the download. I suggest taking a look at my FAQ page for detailed downloading instructions and troubleshooting tips. If you are still having difficulties, let me know. 🙂
Cassandra
August 26, 2020 at 9:26 pm (3 years ago)Hi mandee, I got the doownload link just had to open one of your different export options 🙂 thanks so much!
Elisa
July 20, 2021 at 7:34 am (2 years ago)I face issues too
Harshini
December 30, 2020 at 6:40 am (3 years ago)Thank you so much for the design. It definitely made my project so much better
Mandee
December 30, 2020 at 12:45 pm (3 years ago)That is great to hear! 😀
Antonellas
February 2, 2021 at 1:25 pm (3 years ago)Thanks! SUPER CUTE 🥰🤩🥰🤩🥰
Debbie Hauser
February 18, 2021 at 6:40 pm (3 years ago)Thank you so much. I will try it out!
Celeste Bernardin
April 7, 2021 at 6:20 pm (3 years ago)Love the Ferris Wheel, it looks amazing. Thank you for sharing your art designs.
PhotoCrazyMama
June 15, 2021 at 8:08 pm (2 years ago)Super cute, when I open the download it won’t let me save the file any suggestions? Thank you!
Mandee
June 17, 2021 at 9:53 am (2 years ago)Hi There! Sorry you are having trouble. I suggest taking a look at my FAQ page for detailed downloading instructions and troubleshooting tips.
Phyllis Neumann
August 3, 2021 at 3:09 pm (2 years ago)Thank you so much for your free files. I am doing this one for my stepson’s baby showers. I am going to fold oneises and socks to fit in the cars of the wheel. Again thank you!
Mandee
August 4, 2021 at 11:11 am (2 years ago)How cute!! 😍
Martina
September 15, 2021 at 3:26 pm (2 years ago)A che prezzo potrei venderlo ?
Mandee
September 16, 2021 at 10:46 am (2 years ago)Hi There! The design is free to download and use for personal use. If you are inquiring about a commercial license, feel free to reach out to me at mandee@designsbymissmandee.com. 😊
Cindy
January 4, 2022 at 10:37 pm (2 years ago)Hi Mandee
Thanks for this amazing wheel design.
I made some small adjustments to accomodate a motor and some lights. I added it my christmas village 2022.
Happy New Year to you
Cheers
Cindy
Mandee
January 5, 2022 at 10:12 am (2 years ago)Wow! That sounds amazing!! 😃
Maureen Florendo
April 16, 2022 at 8:35 am (2 years ago)Made this and the carousel with my daughter last night and it was so beautiful.. Thank you so much.. you are amazing.
Mandee
April 18, 2022 at 10:18 am (2 years ago)That makes me so happy to hear! Glad you were able to enjoy some fun, mother/daughter crafting time!!
Amanda
September 4, 2022 at 8:57 am (1 year ago)Hi,
I recently put this together for my son. I did tweak a couple things. I used large popsicle sticks for the stand and doubled the post cuts so they are layered in between the card stock. I also cut a stick in half to bridge the posts horizontally under the base. To attach the buckets to the wheels and the wheels to the post I used brads. It’s super stable and spins like a dream! 🙂 Thank you so much for your designs!
Mandee
September 5, 2022 at 8:52 pm (1 year ago)Those are all excellent ideas!! If I ever go back and make this one again I’ll probably use every one of them. 😄
I’m glad you were able to make good use of this design!!
sara Long
July 12, 2023 at 9:50 pm (5 months ago)could you use this to make a pop up birthday card
Mandee
July 13, 2023 at 9:40 am (5 months ago)It would be pretty tricky, but if you shrunk it down and made some adjustments it wouldn’t be impossible.