DIY Elephant Nursery Wall Decor 

Learn to create this charming DIY elephant nursery wall decor with your die-cutting machine. With the right tools and settings, a beginner can do it!

This elephant paper art is part of my nursery series. Nursery rooms are so exciting to decorate. Creativity is boundless, especially when it comes to children. We want to reflect this in their environment, but I know, as a parent, that this can also be overwhelming, not to mention expensive. I remember walking through stores like Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn in their kid’s section, and recall being so excited staring at their designs; however, my pocket did not agree. 

The good news is that using your creativity and craft tools; you can emulate the same feel with just paper. To prove my point, a similar elephant design is sold at one of the retail stores for $350 before taxes. Because I have all the tools and materials, including the shadow box, this project only cost me $0 to make. I am sharing this design with you for free, so you too can spruce up your child’s room or family and friends’.

The materials you need are just cardstock and glue, and I highly recommend that you watch my tutorial video and read through the rest of the post for tips to ensure your success in this project.

The Story behind this

I grew up in an Asian culture. Elephants are revered as lucky. In Feng shui, it is considered auspicious to have an elephant as a decor to bring the home good luck and harmony. However, in real life, these gentle giants’ numbers are in danger – from ivory trafficking to habitat loss. As much as we appreciate their beauty in their natural form or through art, we ought to foster awareness of the threat to their existence. Now, we continue to tell their story through this charming elephant paper art. 

Tools and Materials

• Cricut Maker / Explorer
• Cricut Mat
• Cardstock Paper
• Craft paper glue / double-sided tape
• Double-sided foam / mounting tape
• Cricut weeding tools
• Download the different botanical files by logging in to my design resource page. You will receive access through your email below, and the password via email 24 hours later (working on getting this quicker).
  
  
  
  

The Process: DIY Elephant Nursery Wall Decor

TIPS

Type of cardstock

My recommendation is to use two types of cardstock. Use the medium to thick-weight for the elephant’s body. As for the delicate and intricate cuts of the leaves (for the ears and tail), use light to medium-weight cardstock. The lightweight paper is ideal for that fluffy effect with the profusion of layers.

Size

It matters for this project. I have set the piece to be at the recommended smallest size. The moment you go lower, you will risk breakage or tearing, specifically, the intricate parts. You can get around this by just resizing the larger pieces. This process is shown in great detail in my tutorial video.

Blade

Like every project, it has to be sharp, or it simply will not work. I understand that the Cricut Premium Fine Point Blade replacements are hard to find these days, and some Cricut users have claimed to sharpen them using a balled tin foil. I cannot attest to its efficacy yet, since I have yet to do it myself, but t might be worth trying if you do not have a replacement.

It doesn’t hurt to make extra cuts.

My video includes an assembly guideline on how to put the pieces together. During the testing phase of this design, I produced a few leaves. There is no specific location for you to place them but to overlap within the designated area; however, there is a technique in their placement. Sometimes, you need more (or less) depending on how you stacked the layers. I say, the fluffier it is, the cuter it looks as long as it doesn’t overwhelm the elephant’s face, which is the focal point. So, be prepared to cut some extra pieces if you think it calls for it(especially the medium to smaller sizes).

Use a brush 

I find that using a brush for the glue to be more effective than my pen tip-style craft bond for the leaves. I also used a Mod Podge glue this time, placed in my little vase container (see video).

Industrial double-sided tape

This industrial double-sided tape has become a staple in my toolbox. It is my favorite adhesive for the larger pieces of my projects. The best part, you can tear them using your hands. While a little pricey, it comes in a large roll. It keeps my work neat, and it holds the pieces together quite well.

Tutorial Video: DIY Elephant Nursery Wall Decor