Forget scrapbooks, think outside the box

Or inside — save memories in shadow box
By Dena Fishbein
DIY Network
Tucson, Arizona

Vacations. They’re not a luxury; they’re a necessity.
Getting away from it all allows you to recharge your batteries, reconnect with loved ones and make discoveries that bring depth and meaning back to your everyday life. Even the simplest, most mundane vacation is an investment in your health and sanity.
This project is dedicated to helping you make the most of your vacations. It starts with a pre-made, three-dimensional frame, called a shadow box, that you embellish with small items

collected during your getaway.
Hung on a wall or placed on a shelf, your shadow box will remind you of the fun you had every time you pass by it — a great way to regain perspective in the midst of the daily grind.
Postcards, photos, ticket stubs, pieces of map, shells — any small token you collect on your vacation — can be fair game for your shadow box. For the best design, don’t try to capture every moment of the experience. Instead, zoom in on a particular mood or theme and choose elements that are consistent with it.
For instance, my shadow box reflects a family trip to the beach. A shell, a palm tree made from fabric and a twig, and a beach pass all relate to this theme. The overall mood was fun and freedom, so I found myself thinking “out of the shadow box” and attaching a paper awning to the outside of my project.
To make a shadow box:
? Apply spray adhesive to the back of your scrapbook paper. Adhere it to the front of the shadow box backing. Smooth with your fingers as necessary.
? Write sentiments and, if you wish, embellish your items. For instance, I hot-glued a pearl to the center of a shell for something a little extra, and wrote “thinking of you” in a fine-tipped permanent marker.
? Layer embellishments onto the different surfaces of the shadow box interior. Hang the manila tag from the top of the box so it dangles. Use polymer clay to stand heavier three-dimensional items, such as a “tree” on the bottom ledge of the box.
? Take a good look at your project. Does it need more? If so, consider adding elements to the outside, rather than crowding the interior of the frame. I created my awning by mounting scrapbook paper to illustration board, cutting the edge with scalloped scissors, and hot-gluing it in place. Then I covered the glue marks with ribbons and added buttons as a final touch.
While shadow boxes come in a variety of sizes, I encourage you to think small. It’s easier to create a focused design that way. Also, you may enjoy your shadow box so much you’ll want to create a new one for every great escape and will need to have enough room to display them.

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