Easy Build Your Own Shadow Box with New Poppy Posy Bundle

Get the Look: SHADOW BOX COMPONENTS

• 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 opening that 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)

IMAGE A: Cardstock Panels

• Back panel at this point is complete.
• Take one of the panels and centre top to bottom either a square or rectangular die (for partial die cut). For this card I used the slim line scalloped die from the Floral Scallop Slimline die set. Partial die cut so that the opening ends up being equal distance on both sides of the score lines. Place die on opposite side and partially die cut in the opposite direction. See image B for reference. (I ended up using a different die for the opening than shown in image. Pencil lines are  for visual reference)

IMAGE B: Die cut front panel

• 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. I just store my sample in a sleeve with all my dies.
• You will also need to cut out 2 strips of acetate that are approximately 1/2” wide by 2” long that will adhering the floating Poppy bouquet to the sides of the shadow box. Score the acetate strips approximately 1/2” or so in from the end, this makes the flaps that will adhere to the side panel.

Get the Look: CREATING CARD

• First start by die cutting the Poppy Impressions die out of white card stock and ink blending the pieces. My Mum, an avid gardener, has gorgeous coloured poppies in her garden that she snapped a pic for me. See image C. This is the colour I used for reference for my card and the inks used to get the look are Peachy Keen, Pink Tutu, Key Lime Pie, Olive Branch, Plum Crazy and Raven.

IMAGE C

• Die cut the bouquet outline for the Poppy Impressions die with vellum. Adhere the Poppy Impressions outline and all the pieces to the vellum. With strong adhesive attach the acetate strips to either side of the Poppy bouquet at the back, so that the distance of the Poppy Impressions die and acetate span a 4 1/4" distance side to side (not including the flaps that will attach to the sides in measurement)

• Now to create the soft inked background. On what will be the inside panel of the shadow box repeatedly stamp in Alloy ink the Poppy Posy stamp to cover the entire space. Also stamp a partial of the Poppy Posy stamp twice on the panel with opening.

• Since I wanted the background to remain subtle and not overpower the ink blended focal Poppy Impressions die I chose to use only 2 out of the 4 Poppy Posy Stencils. These stencils are very forgiving and really easy to line up with stamped images. With a light touch I used Peachy Keen, Pink Tutu and Alloy inks with stencil 1B and 2A to blend over all the stamped images.
• Last of the elements that need to be created before building the card is the sentiment. I chose “hello lovely” from the Poppy Posy stamp powder before cutting with co ordinating dies.

• Before attaching front and back panel of the shadow box I find it much easier to adhere the Poppy Impressions bouquet first. Taking the back panel line the acetate flap with strong adhesive up on the inside of one of the sides, making sure the bouquet die cut is centred top to bottom within shadow panel. Then simply lay other acetate flap out with strong adhesive flat and fold other side of panel down onto to it.
• Position and adhere your sentiment to the front panel.
• You can sign directly on the back of the shadow box. Or use the piece created from die cutting the front panel opening to write message and adhere to the back. See image B for reference.