Matchbox Shadow Box

Today’s inspiration is one that will be perfect for a pretty home decor or a beautiful handmade gift. This gorgeous and elegant shadow box is such an exquisite altered box. A Big Thank You to Annette Green for sharing her beautiful creation with us. Annette is an outstanding design team member for Graphic 45. Be sure to jump on over to Annette’s Creative Journey for more of her fabulous projects.

Let this wonderful vintage style box inspire you to create one of your own. It is so much fun to customize and fill with lots of beautiful ornate objects.

Let’s get started. First you will take your Couture paper and cut apart the lace border. Cut a 8 1/4 x 8 /14 inch square from the lower center of the paper. Cut apart the flowers and leaves in the upper left corner. Cut the word “Couture” from the upper right corner. This will be used behind the metal label holder.

From the “Chic” paper, cut an 8 x 8 inch square from the lower right. Cut a 4 x 8 inch piece just above it. Cut apart the flowers and postage from the upper left side of the paper.

From the “Beautiful” paper, cut away the three tickets and an 8 inch strip from the lace on the right corner.

Adhere the 8 x 8 piece of “Chic” into the base of the matchbook box and adhere the 4 x 8 inch piece to the box frame’s inside top.

Cut four strips of “Fabulous” using the back side of the paper, 1 5/8 x 8 each. Adhere to inner walls of the base of the matchbook box.

Cut strips from “Fashion” using the back side of the paper. You will cut two at 1 3/4 x 8; adhere one to top and one to the bottom of the outside of the matchbook box base. Cut two at 1 3/4 x 4 inches; adhere to lower portion of the left and right of the outside of the matchbook box base.

To create a shelf and topper for the boxes cut two pieces of chipboard, Chipboard Topper : 2 x 8 1/2 inches, Chipboard Shelf: 1 3/4 x 8 inches. Cut Kraft cardstock 2 x 9 inches and adhere (centered) to the Chipboard Topper, (It will be longer than the chipboard so it can fold over and adhere to box sides later.) Cut another piece of “Fashion” (using back side) 1 3/4 x 8 3/8 inches and adhere to Kraft side of Chipboard Topper, centered. Cut Kraft cardstock 1 3/4 x 10 inches and adhere (centered to Chipboard Shelf (it will extend past chipboard.) Cut another piece of “Fabulous” back side 1 3/4 x 8 inches and two small pieces 1 3/4 x 1 inches. Adhere to Kraft side of Chipboard Shelf as shown.

Flip over the Chipboard Topper and Shelf and then cut two more pieces of “Fabulous”. For Chipboard Topper, cut one piece 2 x 8 1/2 inches and adhere centered. For Chipboard Shelf, cut one piece 1 3/4 x 8 inches and adhere centered. Add Scor-Tape to side flaps as shown Set this to the side.

For the frame potion of the matchbox, cut two pieces of “Fashion” back side 1 3/4 inches each and adhere to upper inside walls. From the 8 x 8 piece of “Couture” that you already cut, using the back side, cut out a square from the center of the paper measuring 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches. Adhere to front of matchbook box frame.

Adhere Chipboard Topper to box frame’s top and side using tacky glue to secure the top edges and Scor-Tape flaps folded over the sides. Cut two more pieces of “Fashion” (back side) 1 3/4 x 8 3/8 inches each and adhere to sides of box frame. In this step, you will cover up the kraft flaps from the Chipboard Topper.

In the base of the matchbook box, create your shelf by adhering the Chipboard Shelf piece across the center, securing the Scor-tape flaps to the inner walls of the box as shown.

Apply tacky glue to the upper half of the box base’s edges, including the front of the Chipboard Shelf. Quickly slide the box frame onto the box base lining up the bottom of the frame with the Chipboard Shelf. Press to adhere and let dry completely. Cut four thin strips of “Fashion” (back side) at 1/4 x 5 7/8 inches each. Adhere to box frame opening. Fussy cut flower and leaves; flowers and postage pieces and adhere to corners.