CARDBOARD SCANDI SCENE
Paint the trees after they are constructed – then you can work on all four sides at once.
TO MAKE
❶ Enlarge the horse and tree templates (left) to your desired size. Use these to trace the two tree pieces on to the back of some cardboard which, if possible, is unbent and free of any writing/logos.
❷ Firstly, roughly cut off any excess cardboard, which will just get in the way, then put on a cutting mat. Use a sharp craft knife to cut along all the straight edges – don’t attempt to do any of the corners, as the cardboard will buckle. Use some small scissors to snip around each corner – make lots of tiny snips for a neater finish.
❸ Slot the two tree pieces together. If it’s a bit tight, cut off some more cardboard from the central slits. Apply some white paint to the top half of the tree, you will probably need a couple of coats. Then use a fine paintbrush to make little dashes on the lower half. Leave to dry.
❹ To make the horse, trace the body and two sets of legs on to cardboard as before. Following the method in Step 2, carefully cut out the pieces.
❺ Use a fine paintbrush to add decorative dots, a saddle, reins, hooves and an eye. If the cardboard on the underside is good, then once the paint is dry, paint the same design on the back, so the horse can be viewed from all angles.
❻ Slot the leg pieces into the body, then display the horse alongside the trees on a windowsill, mantel or on the Christmas table, as an alternative centrepiece.