Layered Shadow Box USA Home of the Free SVG

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Last Updated on June 20, 2024 by Chris Butler

Hi y’all and welcome to Daily Dose of DIY! My name is Chris, if you don’t already know me. Today, I have a fun summer paper craft for you. We are making this layered scene that says “Home of the Free Because of the Brave” with the United States in a flag design.

I just love this for summer. I love decorating with Americana stuff, and this would be a great gift to even give to our service men and women. Let’s jump right in and take a look at the supplies we’ll need to make this craft.

Supplies You’ll Need

To make this craft, you’re going to need:

• Two sheets of white cardstock
• One sheet of blue cardstock
• One sheet of red cardstock
• Two additional sheets of white cardstock if you’re making the frame
• Tacky Craft Glue – This is my fave – https://amzn.to/3VQGVU6
• Optional Foam Tape – https://amzn.to/3xs1bC8
• Shadow Box Frame (if not making one from cardstock) Like this one – https://amzn.to/3xqCXIq
• Cutting Machine – I’m using this Cricut

If you’re making an 8×8 frame, you can use 8.5×11 cardstock. For a 9×9 or larger frame, you’ll need 12×12 cardstock. You’ll also need some tacky glue (this one is my favorite) and some foam tape (optional if you want to give it depth). Looks like I need to grab myself another roll of foam tape!

I am cutting this on my Cricut Maker, but you can cut it on any Maker, any Explore, or the Cricut Joy Xtra.

Get the Layered Shadow Box SVG File

Grab the free SVG file for this craft by filling out the simple form below. This SVG also includes cut files for shadow box frames AND printable instructions.

All of our free SVGs and Designs are kept in a library for your convenience. Fill out the simple form and we’ll send you the link and password to access the SVG files right away.

Already have the password? Enter the Library HERE

You’ll find this design right at the top under “4th of July.” Simply click the download and get started crafting!

Special Offer on Our Paper Crafters Club

I wanted to jump in real quick and tell you about a special we have on our Paper Crafters Club. This club is where you can download loads of premium papercraft SVG files on demand, and they include printable instructions so you know how to put them together.

The SVG files include things that are great for gift-giving. My favorite memories are crafting with my grandma and giving them as gifts for birthdays, holidays, anything special. That is why I created this club.

For a limited time, when you join the Paper Crafters Club for three months or longer, I will send you some happy mail with my favorite glue to make these paper crafts, along with a printout that will teach you how to properly glue your craft so it doesn’t look like a first grader did it, and which glues to use when.

This happy mail package has a retail value of over $20, and with it only costing $25 for three months to the Paper Crafters Club and all of these SVG files you can download, it’s really a no-brainer.

Sign up now

Loading the Designs into Design Space

Let’s get into Design Space now. Load the designs into Design Space, and select them. I’m going to make the frame as well, so I’m going to select the frame and the “Home of the Free” design, then click “Add to Canvas.” Once they come in, you can separate them down if you want to.

There’s nothing you need to do but click the “Make It” button if you don’t want to resize it.

I included a frame for 8×8 and 9×9. This design will come in at 8×8. If you would like to make it 9×9, just select the design, go up to the top where it says “Size,” delete the eight, click nine, and enter. It will resize it to a 9×9 for you. Then we’re going to click the “Make It” button.

Preparing and Cutting the Materials

On the mat screen, you need only to check and make sure you get your paper in the right order. If you’re making the frame, you’ll need four sheets of white, one sheet of blue, and one sheet of red. Make sure mat one is selected, and then click the “Continue” button.

For material setting, I am going to go to medium cardstock, which is 80 lb, and then we will load up our mat and get this cut. Place your paper on your cut mat and insert it into your Cricut machine to cut.

After it is finished cutting, be sure to flip your mat over to remove your mat from the project so that your paper does not tear or curl. Go through all of the cut mats and cut all the sheets of paper, then we’ll start assembling.

Assembling the Frame

To make the frame, you’ll first fold in on all the perforation lines, including the tabs, and then add a dot of your tacky glue to each of the tabs. Glue it at a 90° angle to the corresponding side.

Do that for all corners on the top, then repeat the same process for the bottom of the frame. Once you’re done, set it aside to dry while you make your layered craft.

Assembling the Layered USA Flag Craft

Next, take your layered craft pieces and put them in order. You can either glue these layers together or use foam mounting tape to give it depth. I am going to go ahead and use tape.

If you’re using tape or glue, just make sure you do not cover any of the lettering or the spaces in the paper. Add your tape or glue to the back, and then we will stick it to the next layer. Of course, if you’re using tape, you’re going to have to remove the paper backing from your tape strips.

Grab the next layer. Tape can be a little bit tricky, but without letting the next layer touch the tape, line up the bottoms and the corners on each side, then just drop it into place. 99% of the time, this method works beautifully.

Now all you have to do is repeat that same process for the remaining two layers. Add your tape or glue to the back and drop the next layer into place.

Finishing Touches to Your Layered Shadow Box

When you are finished, you can place it in a purchased shadow box frame or in the frame you assembled that is included with the file. You are now ready to display your beautiful new craft or give it as a gift.

Thank you so much for crafting with me today and making this “Home of the Free Because of the Brave” layered paper project. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Be sure to like and subscribe for more fun Cricut crafts and tutorials. God bless!