The tulips are blooming, the birds are singing (or, going crazy, trying to crack open the walnuts that have fallen from your tree…depending on the type of birds you have in your neck of the woods), spring is really here! And today I have a somewhat unique, and highly intricate, spring craft to share with you. So, put on your best garden party attire and follow me out to this lovely, 3D conservatory!
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Maybe it’s because I have gardening on my mind, or maybe it’s due to the absolutely intoxicating backdrops of Bridgerton, but the idea for this conservatory worked its way into my brain a few weeks ago, and I’ve been excited about it ever since!
Supplies
- Cardstock
- Vellum
- Dura-Lar Film
- Hot Glue
- Precision Craft Glue or a Glue Stick
- Decorative Ribbon (optional)
- Bone Folder (optional)
- A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
- My Free Template
How to Make It
1. Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the 3D conservatory 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 them through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, and a bright blue to indicate the debossing lines, so hopefully that helps! If you’re having trouble with the score lines, check out this video.
Prepping All the Pieces
2. Start by layering together all the decorative pieces. For the conservatory walls, glue the clear film pieces to the inside, and attach the decorative border pieces on the outside. Also, the wisteria pieces are double-sided, so make sure to glue one section on each side of the brown branch pieces.
Next, fold the front door piece along the score lines. Fold the triangular roof piece, and attach it to the front door section using the tab on the bottom. Then, attach the whole thing to the front wall, adhering the tabs to the inside.
Note: I didn’t add the larger vellum roof pieces at this time, but you can if you want to. Just know that they will need to be curved later on, so maybe try to shape them a little beforehand to avoid puckering when the roof is assembled.
Assembling the Structure
3. Start by attaching just the front wall and one of the side walls. Curve the roof by attaching one or two tabs at a time along the curved edge of the front roof. Then, attach two vellum roof liners if you haven’t already.
Next, attach your wisteria branches to the silver trellis piece. Be sure to arrange them from smallest to largest in order to create a beautiful layering effect.
Then, attach your trellis structure to the inside of your two assembled walls, lining it up with the base of the roof.
4. For the roof, assemble the small rectangular and triangular pieces using the tabs provided, and then glue the triangular piece on top.
Note: While I was putting this section together, I felt like it was just too much black, so I ended up re-cutting it with gold paper. So, if you are wondering why these pieces suddenly became metallic, that is why.
Then, slip the entire thing into the hole in the rectangular, black roof piece, and glue the tabs inside. Attach the two roof fence pieces using the tabs/slits provided.
When that is all assembled, attach the whole thing to the top of the two walls assembled. Then, attach the other sidewall.
Don’t attach the back wall yet!
Assembling the Base
5. Fold and assemble the base piece using the score lines and tabs provided.
Final Assembly
6. Attach the conservatory (minus the backside) to the base using the tabs on the bottom of the structure and the slits in the base. Use hot glue to attach. The wisteria branches also have tabs on the bottom that should line up with slits in the base. If you put the branches in the wrong order, though, or they just aren’t lining up quite right, don’t fret! you can just fold the tabs and glue them to the top side of the base, or just leave them dangling as they are.
Now you can attach the back wall of your conservatory. Start at the bottom, and work your way up.
With that all assembled, add your little shrubs to the front, and any other decorative elements you so desire. You’ve got yourself a beautiful, 3D conservatory!
I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting to put that leafy gold ribbon to use! I bought it at Hobby Lobby (on sale, of course) a while ago, with no real idea what I was going to use it for. Well, I’m pretty sure there couldn’t be a more perfect application than this!
This whole project came together in such a lovely way. I was seriously worried about whether or not all the details were going to come through and if everything was going to fit. And, after working through just a couple of kinks, it really did turn out how I had imagined!
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 fun freebies available on my blog!
Enjoy putting my 3D conservatory together. And don’t forget to share your exquisite finished project with me on Instagram!
*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. 11 Comments on 3D Conservatory – Intricate Cut File
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Helen J Roberts
April 25, 2022 at 7:47 am (2 years ago)Oh my! This one made me catch my breath. From the hanging plants inside to the awesome entranceway, this is one of the most stunning creations yet. Thank you for sharing!
Mandee
April 25, 2022 at 10:25 am (2 years ago)Aww, thank you Helen! Your comment has made my day!! I’m so glad you like it. 😊
SusyC
April 25, 2022 at 8:34 am (2 years ago)Just perfect and so sweet. Thank you.
Mandee
April 25, 2022 at 10:25 am (2 years ago)Thanks Susy!!
Cindy M
April 25, 2022 at 11:17 am (2 years ago)Lovely!
Valentina
August 7, 2022 at 9:13 pm (2 years ago)Hello Miss Mande
Your design is really pretty and I don t have a cutting machine, so, with a lot of patiente I did it all by myself. It was a loooot of work, but I love the results.
I would like to send you pictures of the final result and know your opinion.
Cheers!
Mandee
August 8, 2022 at 10:46 am (2 years ago)Hi Valentina! Wow, I am amazed that you tackled this without a cutting machine—that’s amazing!! I’d absolutely love to see pictures! Feel free to send them to me at mandee@designsbymissmandee.com
Charly
October 16, 2022 at 7:09 pm (2 years ago)So how do I make it into a SVG or a file ican upload to design space??
Mandee
October 17, 2022 at 10:57 am (2 years ago)The SVG file is included in the download. You’ll just need to unzip it first. For more detailed instructions on how to do so, visit my FAQ page. 🙂
Emilie
December 7, 2023 at 12:54 pm (9 months ago)Thank you so much for sharing the files and the instructions, it is so helpful. I will definitely try it out during the holidays.
Mandee
December 11, 2023 at 12:25 pm (9 months ago)You are most welcome! Have fun putting it together!!