Shadow Box Tutorial

One of my favorite types of cards to make is a shadow box card. I love the dimension they have and that they can be flattened for mailing.

I created this tutorial to show you how simple creating one is!

Materials you will need: (What I used is in parenthesis)

Two pieces of cardstock (Whisper white, Sugar Collection by Memory Box) 5" by 6"

Card stock to stamp image on (Whisper White- SU!) and any extra for embellishing (American Crafts-Pink)

Scor Pal

Image to stamp (Transported by Penny Black)

Scor Tape- 1/2 inch

Brads (White-The Paper Studio)

Ink (Brilliance graphite black)

Coloring tools (Prismacolor Pencils, Odorless Mineral Spirits, Twinkling H20s)

Foam tape (Dimensionals - Stampin' Up!)

(Hemp- Stampin' Up!)

Circle Die Cutting System (I used my Cuttlebug and Nestability dies, can also use Creative Memories Cutting System, Coluzzle, etc.)

Ribbon (May Arts-Pink)

(Oval Punches-Stampin' Up!)

Directions:

First, take the cut cardstock that will be the front and back of the card and score at 1/2 inch and 1 inch from each side (the scoring will be along the 5" side). After folding on the score lines, this is what it looks like. I use my Scor Pal for this and it makes measuring and scoring a cinch!


Then, put the back of the card aside. The next few steps are for the front of the card.

Place the front of the card on top of the C cuttlebug plate and position the Nestability die in the center of the cardstock. (For this step, make sure the circle will allow the image you are using inside to show through!) ****You can use any type of circle/oval/square die you want and any cutting system.

I place my die DOWN on the paper. I realize that this is not the correct way to use these dies with the cuttlebug but I do it all the time to get the perfect alignment. The dies will leave scratches on your plates as they typically do.

Cover with B plate and run through Cuttlebug machine.


The result will be this:

To create the scalloped border, use the same circle die as you did in the first step and cut a circle from cardstock. (Make sure there is ample room around the perimeter of the circle so you can cut the scalloped shape.)

Then, using a larger scallop die, place die centered around the circle. Use the die face down to get perfect placement.

Here is the result---a perfect scalloped border to frame your image:

Attach scallop frame to card front as shown:

Stamp main image on white cardstock. I used this darling image from Penny Black called Transported. (Thanks Michelle!) Color as desired. Cut out image and adhere to background piece with dimensionals or foam tape.

Add brad accents if you wish to the front side of the card (so that when you tape the front and back together, you do not see the brad prongs on the reverse side.)

Assemble the card by lining the side flaps with Scor Tape. Tape one side and adhere and then do the other side.

Add sentiment (I used this clear stamp from Hero Arts because it was the perfect size and fit the image well!)

Add ribbon (I used this pink ribbon from May Arts that I received as a birthday gift. Thanks Michelle!)

Whola! Done!

Here is a close up of the bear---I used hemp for the balloon ties and put the bear's paw on an extra dimensional so it looks like he is holding the ties.

Here is a view of the top of the box. This gives you a better look at how it was assembled.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. This was such a fun card to make and it is so simple. I definitely have to remember to make more of these!

Thanks for stopping by!