Tropical Shadow Box

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I love shadow box cards; they stand up well, the frame border creates perfect white space around a scene and the layers provide wonderful depth to the scene. The Gone to Maui Exclusive Kit with its adorable critters and elements combine perfectly with the beach scene from Scenic Backgrounds II to create the cutest little shadow box card. This type of shadow box is fairly simple to build once you’ve worked out the dimensions. The first time I made this shadow box it took a little while, fiddling and some trial and error to make the dimensions work to fold and fit into an A2 size envelope. Lucky for you I have all the dimensions all worked out and laid out below.

 
 

Get the Look:

SHADOW BOX COMPONENTS

image A: card stock panels

image b: die cut front panel

  • In order to create the shadow box you need 2 identical 6 1/2” x 4 1/4” heavy weight card stock panels. First piece will create the back panel and 2nd piece eventually will have a die cut square opening will create the front panel.

  • Start by scoring both panels 1 1/8” in from each side. See Image A. (Pencil lines are for visual reference)

  • Back panel at this point is complete.

  • Take one of the panels and place the 3 3/8" x 4 5/8" size die from the A2 Diagonal Stitched Layered Card Toppers Die 3/8” in from the score line and 3/8" in from the top. Partial die cut so that the opening ends 3/8” away from the 2nd score line. Place die on opposite side and partially die cut the opposite direction. See image B for reference. (Pencil lines are  for visual reference)

  • If you would like to keep this design for future reference simply cut a 3rd 6 1/2” x 4 1/4” card panel and pencil in all the score and die cut lines and measurements. Easy reference for the next time you want to make a shadow box.

  • You will also need to cut out what will be the platform strips  for adhering critters and accessories on. Cut 1 x 5 1/2 x 1 1/4” and 1 x 5 1/2” x 3/4” card stock strips or more depending on how many platforms you want. Score tabs at 1/2” in from each end of the strip, this will allow platforms to be glued to side panels of the shadow box.

CREATING CARD

  • Stamp the beach scene from Scenic Backgrounds II on the shadow box back panel.

  • Mask and ink blend Pink Tutu, Dark Wash Jeans and Peachy Keen behind island for a sunset. Then mask and ink blend Bali Blue on the lower half of panel. Colour island and sun. Fold along back panel score lines.

  • Stamp, colour and die cut the characters and elements from Gone to Maui Exclusive Kit that you want to use on your card.

  • Then adhere the 5 1/2 x 1” and 5 1/2” x 3/8” strips to the shadow box back panel sides using the scored side tabs. The narrow strip in front and larger strip further back.

  • Fold front panel along score lines and nest the front panel over the back panel and adhere front panel sides to back panel sides to compete box.

  • Now that box is built and all the elements are complete it is a matter of positioning and gluing all of the pieces onto the platforms.

  • Finally a sentiment - using the Happy Birthday stamp set, stamp and then with the Sentiment Stack Die II die cut out the sentiments. Pick and adhere a sentiment to adhere to the front of the panel.

  • You can sign directly on the back of the shadow box. Or use the bonus square stitched piece created from the partial die cutting to write message and adhere to the back. See image B for reference.