Mixed Media A Journey Into unique ideas for shadowboxes

Volume three

What's Inside Step-by-Step Instructions to create unique shadowboxes, tips and tricks, photos, inspiration and MORE!

Visual display Mandy combines her love of mixed media art and travel in creative visual displays to celebrate your memories!

Mixed Media art Catherine Scanlon shares two unique and creative mini-shadowbox ideas that be created in no time!

Mixed Media A journey into unique ideas for shadowboxes

With Catherine Scanlon + Mandy Collins

Table of Contents

Page 2 Table of Contents Page 4 About the Authors Page 5 All in a Shadow Pages 6 Options for Shadowbox Bases Pages 7 – 10 Vintage Doll Totem by Catherine Scanlon Pages 11 - 14 Live in the Moment By Catherine Scanlon Page 16 Catherine's Inspiration Gallery Pages 17 - 19 Hurry Home Traveling Shadowbox by Mandy Collins Page 20 Our Favorite Adhesives Page 21 Crackle Paint and Custom Crackle Page 22 Handy Adhesive Reference and Quick Tips Pages 23 – 27 Tea Time Shadowbox by Mandy Collins Page 29 Inspiration Gallery

Metric Conversion Chart

to convert to multiply by

inches centimeters 2.54

centimeters inches 0.4

feet centimeters 30.5

yards meters 0.9

meters yards 1.1

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The materials contained within this electronic resource are the property of Catherine Matthews-Scanlon and Mandy Collins, unless specified otherwise and cannot be reproduced without the express permission and credit back to the copyright holders.

Please do not post this document and all photographs included within on the Internet without proper credit and reference back to Catherine Scanlon + Mandy Collins.

The materials contained within this e-Book are for your inspiration and reference, please do not teach classes, or reproduce this work without express permission from the authors. Please respect our hard work and years of experience and use this information for inspiration only.

Thank you for joining us,

Catherine Scanlon (cmscanlon@comcast.net) Mandy Collins (collinsmandy@bigpond.com)

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About the Authors Catherine Scanlon Author, Illustrator and Mixed Media Artist

Catherine Scanlon is a Mixed Media Artist, Illustrator, Paper Crafter, Card Maker, Watercolorist, Collage Artist, Art Journaler loving life in Maine with her family. She works from home as a Licensed Artist for Art Gone Wild! A Stampers Anonymous Company. Catherine is also a full-time free–lance designer and Mixed Media Art Instructor. She teaches Art Journaling and Mixed Media Art classes at her Brunswick, Maine studio and on-line at Merrymeeting Art House, she is also a blogger wife and mother.

Mandy Collins Mixed Media Artist, Teacher, Publisher

Favorite Quote: Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. Nathanial Hawthorne

You can find me here:

My blog: http://www.catherinescanlon.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/cm_scanlon# On-line Classroom Website: http://www.merrymeetingarthouse.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/cmscanlon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cm_scanlon Instagram: http://instagram.com/cm_scanlon#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.matthewsscanlon

Mandy Collins can be called a global citizen. Born in Canada’s eastern Maritimes or Anne of Green Gables country, raised on the foggy shores of The Cape (USA) and currently living under tropical skies of Australia, Mandy has travelled the world. Her journey into mixed media and memory keeping started a long time ago with many letters from home or postcards for friends travelling overseas. Many international publications have featured Mandy’s creative projects and editorials. Mandy teaches on-line at www.Pearl Maple.com and at regional events.

Favorite Quote: Happiness is a state of mind it is all about how you look at things.

Walt Disney

You can Find me here:

On-Line Classroom Website and Blog: http://www.pearlmaple.com/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ Instagram: http://websta.me/n/pearlandmaple Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collinsmandy

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All in a Shadow

A shadowbox or box of shadows is an interesting name. The idea of keeping your memories in a box comes from an old naval tradition. When a man of the sea is retiring, it is supposed to be bad luck for their shadow to hit the ground before they do. To ward off the bad luck their shipmates like to pipe him ashore and they follow their mate with a box of treasured memories or souvenirs that is said to be his shadow following him.

Lots of military families have shadowboxes doing the same with medals and important mementoes from someone’s service days. Families working on genealogy of their family history might use a similar style to create a display for their family’s memories. Sometimes just for fun or showing off a collection like tiny Santa's holiday theme or trinkets collected from a vacation.

There are so many fun shadowbox styles available now, just where do you start? I like to start by thinking about what is it you want to frame after all that really is the star of the show. The size and nature of your items or collection will guide you on the size and type of box to use. If you have lots of little things a multi niche printer tray could be the best option where one or two bigger items would prefer a big open box. For me setting out a box is like telling a story. There is a theme or item to be framed and they are the stars. The backgrounds and other trinkets can be the supporting cast or finishing touches that complete the visual story telling.

Big or small, wearable art or hung on the wall; there is a shadow box out there for everyone.

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It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of buying new supplies for a new project or class you want to take. While I do recommend that you try new things, I think it’s super important to use what you have. Before you use any of the recommendations here, please look around at what you already have and use it up. Perfect the technique and then use the new stuff!

• Gum and Candy Tins: These tiny tins make great bases for small, portable shadowboxes. They have a ready-made cover and the size makes them a fast and easy option to create. If you have children finding cute tins to recycle is not a hard. Some companies, have bare, unprinted options that can be easier to use because painting and sanding is not required.

• Wood Panels or Wrapped Canvas: By turning the panels around and using the backside of your wood or canvas wrapped panel you have an instant shadowbox and this option is a great way to get started creating immediately – and with the vast size options and price ranges there is really something available for every project.

• Picture Frames: Using pre-made picture frames that have a ¾" to 1" depth is another way to use items you may already have (or can find pretty cheaply at a thrift shop is another great way to use a pre-made base and add your dimensional elements.

• Paper Mache Shapes: Take

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a trip to the craft store at any holiday season and you will find lots of paper mache shapes that are east to paint and add elements to. Pumpkins, hearts, eggs are just a few shapes that come to mind. They usually have a twine hanger and are ready to add your paint and dimensional items to.

• Shadowbox Kits : You can easily create a small, sweet little laser cut hardboard shrine (like the one I created) – or choose from the amazing different shapes offered at RetroArt Café. Simply create or alter the elements and assemble.

• Stamp, CD or DVD Containers: Mandy showed us how to use a recycled stamp container into a little traveling shadowbox that can be taken on any length trip.

• Jars: Use various shapes jars in place of expensive glass domes. They are readily found and easily cleaned and transformed into table-top shadowboxes to decorate any shelf or table.

• Die-cut Shapes: cut your own shape and create a custom shadowbox from chipboard that has the exact size and dimensions you are looking for.

As you can see, the possibilities for recycling, purchasing or making the base for your shadowbox are endless!

What to use for the base Of your shadowbox

Any thing with Any Dimension can be used to create a

shadowbox!

Recycle or purchase?

The choice is yours!

I keep a drawer where I throw all the little boxes, tins and other items I come across. When I want to create a shadowbox or get an free-lance assignment to create one I have plenty of choices that will make creative and unique bases to showcase my client's products or cherished items.

If I am recycling tins or food packaging I make sure to clean any crumbs or left over food that may be hiding in the corners – this will eliminate attracting ants or other bugs to my treasure drawer. If the items is a tin or jar, I add it to my dishwasher to make sure it's super clean for any project needs.

I also throw any purchased items in the drawer – if they fit – to make sure they are in the running when I go pawing through the many choices for just the right box, jar or tin.

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Vintage Doll Glass Totem

by Catherine Scanlon

A mixture of old and new items are the perfect combination for this tiny, vintage Doll Totem

Created by Catherine Scanlon

This little totem has so many possibilities and can be used as a pendant, ornament or light catcher. It comes together pretty quickly too!

1. Cut a variety or uplifting words from a dictionary or poetry book and set aside.

2. Insert a small ball of moss inside the dome and add the words.

3. Use gel medium or any type of quick drying glue to attach the words "be" to the vintage doll.

4. Add the doll to the dome. 5. Use a chopstick or other tool to

arrange the words around the doll.

Variation: Attach the words in a strip on the outside of the glass dome. Use a fast drying adhesive and wipe any excess of the glass before it dries.

• Vintage Porcelain Doll, 1 ½" Tall • Words cut from Dictionary • Vintage Bead Chain • Tim Holtz Idea-ology

• Corked Domes • Memo Pins • Mini Gears

• 26 Gauge Metal Sheet Sizzix Originals Circles #4

New and Recycled tools + Supplies:

• Sizzix Embossing Folder • ½" Copper Tape • Moss • Scissors • Drill with 1/8" Drill Bit • Hot Glue Gun • Jump Rings • Pliers • Black Spray Paint

Instructions To create this

project:

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6. Cut a 1 1/8" circle from the 26 gauge metal using the Sizzix Circles #4 Originals Die and your die-cutting machine.

7. Drill a 1/8" hole in the center of the metal circle to use to hang the totem.

8. Emboss the circle and paint with black paint. When dry, sand the metal circle to reveal the embossed pattern.

9. Insert the Memo Pin in the center of the metal circle and secure in place with hot glue. Insert into the center of the cork before the got glue cools and hardens.

10. Use a pair of metal snips to remove the excess pin that sticks out of the cork.

11. Use a sharp knife to trim any cork that hangs over the edge of the glass dome.

Where to find Vintage Items Finding vintage dolls, charms, buttons and other ephemera can be a fun rainy-day activity with kids. In most areas you can find in-door flea markets that offer hours and hours of entertainment. You can also go to fleas like the Brimfield Antique Market that is held 3 times a year in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Tips to remember:

• Bring cash, vendors are more apt to dicker when you are paying with cash

• Don't be afraid to make a counter offer, but keep in mind they need to pay for their booth rental and expenses to get to the flea market

• Buy it when you see it – it will probably be gone if you go back later.

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12. To finish, wrap the ½" copper tape around the top of the glass dome. Use a bone folder to burnish the tape to the jar and remove any wrinkles and imperfections.

Variation: Apply flux to the copper tape with an old brush and solder lead free solder for a simple, finished look on your dome totem or leave it bare for added rustic charm.

13. Finish the project by attaching a mini-gear and hanger made from vintage or new bead chain with jump rings.

Basic Soldering Techniques for Jewelry

With a bit of practice you can solder your shrines, totems and shadowbox jewelry items with ease.

What you'll need:

• Copper Tape: used to wrap your glass items

• Flux: A liquid treatment brushed on copper tape to prepare it for solder.

• Soldering Iron • Damp Sponge • Lead Free Solder

1. Clean the glass with a clean cloth to remove any dirt or oils left on the glass from handling it.

2. Apply copper tape to the glass items you want to connect, or in the totem case, where you want to attach the dome to the embossed metal cover.

3. Wipe the tape with a clean dry cloth. Brush flux over the copper tape.

4. Heat the (seasoned) soldering iron and swipe it across a damp sponge to wipe any excess solder off of both sides.

5. Hold the iron in one hand and the spool of Lead Free Solder in the other and touch the solder to the tip of the iron to melt it.

6. Use the tip of the hot soldering iron to guide the solder over the copper tape until you have covered the entire area.

7. Smooth any bumps you may have gotten in the solder by brushing flux to the bump and gently touching the tip of the iron to smooth it out.

It's important to use Lead Free Solder when soldering jewelry items that will be near your skin to prevent accidental lead poisoning. Soldering is one of those techniques that require a lot of practice.

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Live in the Moment

by Catherine Scanlon

Create Whimsy and inspiration by combining photos and uplifting words. A tiny shrine is perfect to put

on a shelf where you will see it often and smile each time you pass by.

Shrine

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Supplies used to

create this project:

• ATC Shrine from RetroArt Cafe

• Digital Image from Paper Whimsy

• Vintage Style Spun Cotton Blue Mushrooms found on Etsy

• Tim Holtz Ideaology Book Plate + Word Stick

• Twigs • Hot Glue • Foam Tape • Brads • Moss • Abandoned ATC Base

Making Paper Clay Embellishments If you like to challenge yourself with making your own embellishments like the Spun Cotton Mushrooms I used in the Live in the Moment Shrine, paper clay is an easy and affordable option. It dries over night – ready to be painted and sealed for your shadowboxes and shrines.

No need to buy the expensive version found in some stamping catalogs, the tubs of Crayola Air Dry clay are perfect and very affordable. My only caution, even though the clay comes in a tub – put the unused clay in a zip lock bag and squeeze the air out so it doesn't dry out before you get back to it again. When making mushrooms, mold the stem from a ball of clay much like you would create a snake – by rolling the ball in between your palms. Make the mushroom top by squashing a ball like you are making a pinch pot. When the two pieces are dry and you've painted them – use a hot a hot glue gun to glue the two pieces together. Air dry clay is a lot like polymer clay – but requires no baking, is non-toxic and is fun to work with. When it's dry, it's quite heavy – and has a porcelain-like feel that you can sand and paint to finish.

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Create this project: Creating this little shrine couldn't be any easier and the results are an amazingly whimsical Woodland Fairy Shrine! Use an old candy box and add fancy wood balls for feet if you don't have the RetroArt Café ATC Kit.

1. Creating this little shrine couldn't be any easier! Start by attaching a previously created artist trading card base (mine was abandoned) to the inside back of the shrine using hot glue or a fast drying adhesive.

2. Attach the bottom and sides according to the instructions that accompany the shrine, I used hot glue but a less bulky fast drying adhesive would have worked better.

3. Create the woodland fairy by fussy cutting two digital photos from Paper Whimsy. Cut the head from the larger of the two images and attach to the smaller body for a funky, unique fairy.

4. Layer 3 or 4 layers of foam tape on the backside of the fairy to create some dimension.

5. Add twig wings to the back of the wood land fairy with hot glue.

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6. Use hot glue to attach

the Woodland Fairy to the inside of the shrine.

7. Hot glue moss to one of the larger twigs and hot glue to the base of the shrine.

8. Continue adding twigs and moss until you happy with the results.

9. Remove the wires that are used to attach the spun cotton mushrooms to floral arrangements with wire snips and hot glue in place. Using two different sizes helps keep the layout more organic and balanced.

10. Fill any areas with moss. Add more twigs if you need to hide the foam tape.

11. Attach the book plate to the bottom of the shrine and insert the word stick.

12. Attach the metal screw brads to the word stick with hot glue.

13. To finish, cover the back of the shrine with patterned paper.

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Catherine's Inspiration

Gallery

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Top Left to Right: Paper Mache Heart with Vintage Doll head, Sizzix Matchbox die with copper tape and glass front, Tiny Glass Charm, Paper Mache Egg with Bird, Paper Mache Egg with Paper Clay mushroom, Metal Candy Tin Reliquary with Decorated Cover

Hurry Home

by Mandy Collins

When you travel, it's nice to carry memories of home with you.

Shadowbox

With all our new tablets and iPads, smart phones and other electronic devices it's so much easier to stay connected in this day and age. Not so long ago we were limited to a photograph in a frame.

Traveler shrines take all kinds of forms, because these shrines are a very personal thing.

This sample was inspired by a prayer card found when packing up my mother’s home with a sweet simple message.

Supplies used to

create this project:

• Plastic box, this one is from a stamp company but you could use a cd or DVD case

• Quote, prayer, bible verse or a photo would work just as well as the inside feature

• Melissa Frances resin trims, flying birds and eggs in a nest remind me of the theme of travelling home

• Attic Treasures stickers • C’est la Vie (ribbon)

collections • Color Blend inks or other

inks that can be heat set in blue and yellow

• Old maps, pages from encyclopedia or dictionary

• Stamps of a compass, leaves or shapes that fit your theme

• 3L scrapbook adhesives tape E-Z runner

• Scrap of old lace • Little trinkets that mean

something to you

Make this project: 1. Start with the inside of the shrine/box and think

about the collage or assemblage of elements you want to use. The sample shows most of the details clustered to the right and bottom corner.

2. The background is made up of a torn map and text behind. Tearing papers just where you want them to go and around shapes can be a little hit and miss. My favorite trick is use a tiny paint brush to draw a line with water, let it soak enough to loosen the fibers and gently inch your way along the wet line.

3. There is not much depth in this box. It is really tempting to just glue everything down and make it a flat presentation. Curling up the edges of the map and cutting out the leaves brings some life into the display.

Finishing Up 7. This box would look just

as fine with the cover left clear so you can see through. Or you could use it as an opportunity to add another layer of details like printing photo onto tissue paper or transparency. That will still let you see through parts, or give you an excuse to take out your stamps.

8. Having a transparent

image slide inside the cover means that when the box is standing open on my table I can see both sides.

4. These resin trims are a great lightweight embellishment and the little details shine best when you apply more than one color of ink or paint. Let the base coat dry or heat set in between colors.

5. Use painter's tape or masking tape to protect parts of

the resin from paint.

6. You can print on tissue papers but you will need find a way to help them travelling through the printer feed. Because I feed all kinds of things through my printers, I always choose printers with a feed path that goes almost straight through. Cutting the tissue paper smaller than your regular printer paper allows you to sticky tape or repositionable tape to grab hold of the printer paper to ride through the printer.

When creating projects meant to travel, be sure to use plastic, wood or metal for the shadowbox base to prevent breakage during luggage handling which could result in serious cuts from the broken glass.

Pop dots or foam strips or shapes are great for: • building a little height • building stepped up

height too – not everything has to be the same height

• add a cardboard brace to prevent bigger pieces of paper from drooping between the dots

Often we think of these for paper or cardboard products but some of the quality name brand super strong foam tapes can hold lumpy bumpy and heavier weight things as well Glue dots or glue spots • good for various types

of fabric • because this is a thick

glue, you can post embellishments on angles that make the view more interesting

Double Sided Adhesives • my favorite for fabrics

as they keep their flexibility

• lumpy bumpy things Building cardboard props • when the cardboard is

folded it creates a sturdy brace

• secures the elements away from the wall

• can help reduce direct contact with adhesives

Hot Glue Gun • easy to access hard to

reach areas • attached dimensional

items quickly allowing you to glue and release hard to attach items

• works with paper, fabric, metal and many other materials

• various types of glue sticks available

Our Favorite Adhesives Adhesives are important, after all, they are what is holding this whole project together. With any product that you have not tired before, testing first is recommended.

Take a minute to test that new glue on photo papers to see how react, and does it really dry clear. In the middle of a rush is not the time to find that things are not working the way you thought they would.

One of a kind family mementos that cannot be replaced should be copied, using the copy for display or craft projects and tucking the originals away someplace safe.

Adhesives or glues are generally grouped into 3 classes, wet or liquids, glue sticks or tapes for a dry mount and specialty glues. Tapes, pop dots and glue sticks are great for fixing paper or photos to chipboard. They are quick and everyone knows how to use them. Usually we turn to wet glues on heavier weight or lumpy bumpy things.

Why talk about crackle paint with adhesives? Many of the crackle ‘paints’ available on the market have a base created from some type of glue. There are a few variations of crackle paints to choose from, some are one step but often they are a two or three step and it is worth practicing before you use them on a project. Try out a few brands to see what feels good to you. The important points to remember with all the crackle brands are: • a thick coat with long strokes in one direction results in bigger

cracks • a thinner coat and random brush strokes will create smaller cracks

or an eggshells • don’t ‘work’ the crackle or top coat too much or you won't achieve the

crackle results you are anticipating.

Crackle Paint or Glue?

Try This: Custom Crackle Here's a fun technique to try: make your own crackle finish using glue!

What you need: glue, 2 colors of acrylic paint, water bucket, paint brush or sponge, paint or wood or other hard surface to crackle. Like many of you I do not live near a craft store and had to learn to be creative in making products work in more than one way like using adhesive to make crackle paint.

The important thing to remember when using adhesive this way is the base color is the color you want for your cracks to be. The base color should be acrylic paint not ink so there is a resist and tension in the layers. Also remember that the base paint needs to be really dry.

1. Dip your paint brush or sponge in water and ring out the excess water, use the damp brush/sponge to spread the glue all over the area you want to have the crackle finish.

2. Let sit until almost dry. The drying time to for the glue to become tacky will depend on your local climate or about 15 minutes.

3. The glue should look like it is mostly clear with still some white bits.

4. Wet another brush and grab the next color paint. Crackling does not work well if you fiddle with it too much and I find using the glue to crackle ---all the more so.

5. For that reason I will pour a big dollop of paint into a paint tray or saucer, then load up the brush with lots of paint and quickly and lightly stroke that across the top of the glue. Try not to blend or work the paint into the glue, just lay it across the top as quickly as possible. If you have had 3 strokes of paint over one spot, you may have worked it too much.

Porcelain Crackle Paint Texture

Adhesive Crackle Texture with large Crackles

Weathered Wood + Chippy Paint

Adhesive Crackle Texture with small Crackles

handy adhesive reference

Type of material you may want to glue to another

surface:

adhesive sheet

hot glue

liquid craft glue

pop dots

power craft tape

tape runner

Fabric, felt, cotton, silk, denim ü ü ü ü

Glass or Plexiglas ü ü ü Nature: leaves, sticks, rocks, pebbles, sand ü ü ü ü ü

Paper or cardboard ü ü ü ü ü ü Plastic or clear transparency ü Check! ü ü ü

Resin, ceramic trims ü ü ü ü ü ü

Styrofoam ü Check! ü ü ü

Wood, plywood, hardboard ü ü ü ü ü ü

Check! This means we aren't sure of the results, our best advice is to stop and check to be sure that the brand of adhesive you are using dries clear and the does not melt your plastics or Styrofoam on a sample.

• Store your bottles of liquid glue with the tip covered and upside down so they are always at the ready when you need them.

• Painter's Tape (found at the hardware store) is an affordable low tack adhesive you can use to hold elements of your project together while you figure out the details of your project.

• Masking tape and other tapes tend to get brittle with age, so if you have them – use them up before they do.

• For great results every time, make sure to use the right adhesive for the job.

More Adhesive Quick Tips: • When using a hot glue gun,

place it on a non-stick craft mat, wood cutting board or heat resistant non-stick surface to prevent the glue from getting on your table or sticking to other projects and ruining them.

• Add water to white craft glue until it has a nice, fluid texture and use as glitter glue.

• Bonus, purchase a bottle with a fine nozzle and use your glitter glue to apply glitter in tiny spots.

• Use a heat activated dry adhesive sheet when attaching paper to a hard

surface and press it firmly in place with a hot dry iron that activates the adhesive sheet and you won't have bubbles or wrinkles in the finished project.

• Always experiment with a new glue or adhesive on scrap materials to make sure it acts like you think it will.

• A permanent glue stick is great for collaging paper on wood – it dries fast, spreads thin and smooth and requires no cleanup.

Got a great adhesive tip? Email it to us at

cmscanlon@comcast.net

Tea Time

by Mandy Collins

Inspiration for this project came from a memory of taking time for tea and connecting with family.

Shadowbox

Imitation metal leaf adds a distinctive glittering accent and is surprisingly affordable. It looks a bit fiddly to work with but a few quick tips is all you need to mastering metal leaf and wanting to add gold to everything !

Supplies used to create this

project: 1. Maya Road Shadowbox 2. Maya Road Tea Pot

Chipboard Album 3. Maya Road Kraft clocks 4. Basic Grey Paper and

Trims – Mint Julep, Chipboard Scrabble letters, Knee Highs and Bowties and Clippings stickers for the file folder ruler and tags

5. Stamp set Exclusive Collection from Hero Arts

6. Scraps of brown paper bag or Kraft paper for stamped trims

7. Paint tattered angels firefly chalkboard

8. Mont Marte Imitation metal leaf and leafing size (adhesive)

9. Very soft bristle paint brush

10. Adhesives – 3L Scrapbook Adhesives Tape Runners, double sided Adhesive Sheet and Adhesive Foam Squares

11. Small boxes like a matchbox

12. Miscellaneous – these are the little trinkets that tell your story and make your creation uniquely your own. pages from old dictionaries or maps, buttons, postage stamps, scraps of lace, ribbon, photos, whatever fits your box and story

Make this project: 1. Start by painting the box all over and let dry. 2. A background is an important part of a shadowbox. Maps

or a vintage book pages can add details to the theme or use pretty patterned paper to use as the background.

3. One thing to think about when assembling a shadowbox is that it is a bit like building a collage in that balance and composition makes a difference.

4. One of the best things about a shadowbox is having depth

and space to play with. That means you can display some parts at the front box and other things can sit on the back walls or someplace in between. The sample shows a little bit of all those options.

5. Square one is made up of a label from a soap company, small

matchbox covered with a dictionary page, ruler sticker on the right side, a spoon embellishment and pennant or ticket stamped on brown paper. To stick the box to the back wall there are a couple of options. A wet adhesive or a dry adhesive like 3D Foam Squares. Add an extra 2cm or ½ inch to the top as a tab of the stamped pennant to hang at the front of the box.

7. Square two. To boost the assemblage up from the back wall add foam squares behind the background panel and foam squares behind the clock and foam squares behind the little banner.

8. Square three is made up of a sticker of a file folder, dictionary definition, ruler sticker, and chipboard letters spelling out the theme. Use 3D Foam Squares to build height behind the file folder and chipboard letters.

9. Square four is built right up against the back wall but all the decorations are popped up with 3D Foam Squares at different heights. Paint or paper the chipboard tea bag. The Best of the Best stamp use the brown or Kraft paper and curled up to show off the depth of the box.

10. Finishing: Paint or cover the roof top with papers and secure firmly to the top of the shadowbox. Add the ribbon sticker trim to the outside of the box. Then glue the tea pot onto the roof top.

11. Something I like to do with all my projects is to decorate the back, even a simple stamp on the back of a card with a message saying this is handmade. For display projects or a gift, it is someplace that you can tuck a special message or have more fun decorating.

Square Two

Square Three

All four completed squares

Square Four

Try This: Gold Leaf The results from using metal leaf are fabulous and something you will certainly want to try on your projects. • Things to keep in mind when working with this product: • if you are buying from a dollar store and it only takes two

sheets to do this whole project, it is not all the expensive if you mess something up.

• Adding metal leaf over mistakes is an easy fix.

While Monte Marte recommends you use Leaf Size to adhere the metal sheets, you do have other options. Leaf size is like a liquid glue except it is a high tack (is very sticky) with a long drying time which gives you plenty of time to apply the metal. Leaf size is the preferred option for intricate picture frames and when using real gold leaf but you have other options if you want to explore them.

To apply the metal leaf to the prepared Leaf Size, use a clean piece of cheesecloth or cotton ball to press down and secure the leaf into the adhesive. If some of the metal leaf lifts off, that means you have not let the adhesive dry, stop and try a patch with some of the scrap leaf.

It's a good idea to seal the items you have applied the gold leaf to when you have completed that step. I like to use a clear acrylic medium for this step. Wait at least half an hour after the metal leaf has set into the adhesive before sealing and use a very light touch and remember no fingers!

Quick Tip: Metal leaf is very fine and fragile, if you sneeze or press the leaf it will break apart and float around the room.

When working with small objects the quickest no fuss way to add metal leaf to the item is to leave the sheet of metal leaf on your worktable and turn the chipboard (tacky adhesive facing down) onto the leaf and let it sit for about 30 minutes and wait for the glue to set.

It is important to remember when working with metal leaf that all the lumps and bumps in the adhesive will show through because the leaf is very fine. A super soft paintbrush will make a big difference in spreading the leaf size very thinly across the surface. Wait for the glue to set for 30 Minutes before adding the leaf.

Finishing Up To finish up the Tea Time Shadowbox: Paint or cover the roof top with pretty patterned paper and secure firmly to the top of the sha`dowbox.

Add the ribbon sticker trim to the outside of the box. Then glue the tea pot onto the roof top.

Inspiration Gallery

From Top Left to Right: Paper Mache shadowbox filled with treasures from London, Asian inspired shadowbox, shadowbox created from the backside of a wood panel, family inspired shadowbox with a sewing theme, greeting card box Shadowbox Card created from a small recycled picture frame, Asian inspired shadowbox.

Inspiration is everywhere!

Mixed Media

A Journey Into unique ideas for shadowboxes and totems With Catherine Scanlon + Mandy Collins

Volume three