In this DIY project, we’ll show you how to create your own shadowbox (a frame with layered elements that add depth and shadows) featuring a festive winter scene. It’s a unique Christmas decoration that will shine in any home!
Take a sheet of ivory cardstock measuring 30.5 x 30.5 cm and score at 1.5 cm, 3 cm, 4.5 cm, and 6 cm. Rotate the paper 90 degrees and score at the same distances. Repeat this for all sides.
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Place the paper in the corner of your scoring board and make a small mark at 7.5 cm between the first and second score lines from the top. Do this only on the horizontal sides.
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Cut the corners as shown in the picture. Start at the edge and cut diagonally towards the newly scored mark, then cut diagonally back to the base score line.
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Fold along all the score lines and apply double-sided tape to the outermost strips.
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Turn the paper over and fold the strips inward, starting with the sides that were cut.
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Next, fold in the straight sides and adhere them. Tuck the corners underneath the diagonal cuts.
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Place a sheet of dark blue paper (15 x 15 cm) in the embossing folder and run it through the die-cutting and embossing machine.
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Place the embossed sheet on a magnetic work surface and position the matching stencil on top. Secure it with magnets and use a spatula to apply Astro Paste. Remove the stencil and allow it to dry. Tip: only apply the paste to areas that will be visible in the final piece.
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Take a white cardstock sheet and spread Astro Paste over an area of approximately 13 x 8 cm.
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Cut out the Christmas tree dies in green paper using the die-cutting and embossing machine.
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Place the Christmas tree pieces from step 10 on the homemade glitter paper from step 9 and cut out three shapes to fit behind the tree sections. Glue them in place and then layer the three pieces to form a Christmas tree.
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Take four sheets of light blue and grey paper (15 x 15 cm) and the four largest dome-arch dies. Cut them one by one using the die-cutting and embossing machine.
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Layer the four sheets together using 3D foam tape to create depth.
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First, place the dark blue embossed sheet in the shadowbox and adhere it. Then, attach the four layered sheets from the previous step with foam tape inside the frame. Finally, glue the Christmas tree in place using regular glue.
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Take a piece of ivory cardstock (18.5 x 5 cm) and cut it into a wavy shape to resemble snow-covered hills.
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Use the fourth smallest dome-arch die (about 4.2 cm wide) and cut the shape from the same paper used in step 7.
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Stamp “Let it snow” onto the arch shape using Versamark ink.
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Sprinkle white embossing powder over the stamped image, shake off the excess, and use a heat tool to set the powder.
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Now, attach the snow hill and the stamped arch to the shadowbox.
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Complete the project by adding snowflakes using the Nellie’s Choice snow-effect pen.