Nativity Scene Tree on Canvas - Attaches With Magnets!

I love this detailed Nativity Scene Tree so much I decided to create a DIY project out of it! The Nativity Scene Tree includes wise men with camels, shepherds and sheep, angels, stars, and of course Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Using my simple idea with magnets to mount it to a stretched canvas makes for a fantastic DIY stretched canvas wall art project! With no glue necessary to attach the tree to the canvas it also makes this a really smart project for kids!

A beautiful Christmas decoration to place on a shelf, hang on a wall, or even just use the 3D printed Nativity Scene Tree as a fridge magnet! And of course since I know everyone doesn't have a 3D Printer, I have these ready and available on my Etsy Shop!

Supplies

Needed Supplies:

3D Printed Nativity Scene Tree (From my Etsy Shopor 3D Print your own from below instructions)
8x10" Stretched Canvas (Local hobby store or Amazon)
Acrylic Paints and Brush (Local hobby store or Amazon)

*Only needed if doing the 3D Printing and prep yourself:

Step 1: Determine Color and Paint Canvas

Figure out what color combination you want with your 3D Printed Nativity Scene Tree. White tree on blue or black, gold on red or green? So many possibilities! You can paint the full canvas or give it a more modern look by only partially painting or doing a design. Kids and teens love getting creative here, even mixing paints to get just the right color!

Step 2: Buy or 3D Print Nativity Scene Tree

Two options:

First and quickest (since I know most don't own a 3D Printer) is to buy the Nativity Scene Tree already created and with Magnets attached. I promise only high quality prints and I even use a textured build plate that creates a more sparkled surface for the Tree!

Nativity Scene Tree with Magnets included from my Etsy Shop

Second, you can buy the design, prepare magnet holes, and 3D print it yourself! Since the Nativity Scene Tree is a digital download, I will not be sharing the actual SVG or STL files, but you can do what I did by following these steps:

Buy the digital download from Etsy seller AnatolianDesignCraft (It is called Nativity Scene Tree)
Import the SVG file into TinkerCad or other design software
Size the tree to approximately 8.5" (215mm) tall by 5" (130mm) wide by 0.25" (6mm) deep (for a 8x10" canvas)
Add holes for Magnets (6.25mm diameter cylinder that is 3.1mm tall for the magnets I used)
Export and Slice using your slicer software
3D Print the tree in the color you choose (I use 0.20mm Layer height, 3 walls, 15% infill, and a PEI textured build plate)

Step 3: Add the Back Magnets (*Optional)

*If you buy from my Etsy Shop, then it comes with magnets already in place with strong super glue!

If you 3D print it yourself, you will super glue the strong fridge magnets into the recessed holes on the back of the tree along. Just use a bit of superglue in each magnet hole, then pop a magnet in and push down firmly.

(I recommend using gloves since the super glue can squish out some when pressing down!)

Step 4: Attach to Stretched Canvas

Once your canvas is painted and dry, position the tree on the front, and then holding the tree and canvas together have someone put the magnets on the back of the canvas. (Easier as a two-person job, but doable with one!) The magnets will flip and orient themselves to match the ones on the back of the tree on the other side, securing it to the canvas. No glue necessary to attach the tree to the canvas, making this a really smart project for kids!