This mixed media project is my final contribution to issue 15 of  Crafter’s Inspiration magazine. It’s another idea using the free dies and embossing folder.

MDF Shadowbox Instructions

Difficulty level–  beginner to moderately experienced

Time for project – approximately 2 1/2 hours

Materials

MDF Shadowbox

Water colour card

Tacky glue

Collall glue gel

Glue gun (optional)

Dies

CI15 die set

Diesire bunting die

Leonie Pujol Letter sets

Embossing folders

CI15 Ornate Lace folder

Darice- Floral Paisley

Stamps

Leonie Pujol-‘Sunflowers forever’; ‘Bohemian doodles;Branching out

Colouring materials

AquaTint inks- Numbers: 58;53;16;34;26;27

Pebeo Deco Creme- Numbers:16

Pebeo Dyna Number: 356

Distress ink-Seedless Preserves and Picked Raspberry Twisted Citron; Lucky Clover and Mermaid Lagoon;Forest Moss

Pastes

Pebeo Deco Creme gold glitter medium

Pebeo Gilding wax- King Gold

Ephemera/trinkets

Small oval ornate resin frame

Faux brass corners

Metal key and miniature chair- (Copper Patina effect)

Mulberry roses

Brass heart and bird’s nest

Resin roses

Crystal teardrop embellishment

Wooden butterfly

Mdf birdcage and small bird.

Finishing touches

Gems

Baker’s twine

Pink thread

Dark Pink Florist mesh

 

The Method:

Paint the entire shadowbox using no. 16 Deco Creme paint. When dry, paint the inside edges of each compartment in the pink Dyna paint- 356.

Paint the oval frame, birdcage and small bird with no.16 and when dry gild with gilding wax.

Colour 2 sheets of watercolour card with AquaTint inks using broad bands of colour( dark, light, dark). Take one of these sheets and emboss using the Floral Paisley folder. Then seal with Pebeo gold glitter medium and leave to dry.

Measure the inside compartments and cut 6 rectangles from the plain inked card to line the backs. On two of the pieces stamp some twigs and flowers in dark green ink. Then stick the rectangles in place.

Die cut multiple flowers, leaves and 2 birds with wings from the embossed glittered card. Remember that one bird will face a different direction.

On a separate sheet of watercolour card emboss the lace folder and fussy cut 3 heart shapes and 2 swirls. Colour with pink and teal distress inks.

Die cut the bunting and letters to spell ‘Home’ and colour with distress inks.

Assemble all the elements in the compartments trying to balance the colours and textures and stick with Collall gel or heat gun. Highlight with gems.

 tips

1. It is best to use the Collall gel for metal embellishments. Glue guns are instant but not always permanent.
2. Use your favourite trinkets and miniature embellishments to make your box unique but avoid the temptation to add too much.
3. Painting a lighter colour in the inside edges helps to reflect the light.
4. To balance the colours work in ‘triangles’ and have odd numbers of similar materials.
5. Use a range of textures placed at different heights.

 Thanks for stopping by!