Monday, March 24, 2014

Shadow Box Artist Trading Block

There are many cool things about Eileen Hull's 3D Box dies, but one of my favorites is that the 3" Block die is also a Movers and Shapers die. That means that any individual Movers and Shapers that will fit in the opening can be used to add even more versatility and interest to your ATB.

I'd been eyeing that opening, just waiting for the perfect idea to pop into my head. After looking through my dies, I settled on the medium-sized circle from Tim Holtz's Sized Circles die set. There are so many different ways you could use this opening! I decided to go with a vintage shadow box look, but I'm already planning a pretty spring block - how cute would a little bird nest be in there?

The top is decorated with some coffee filter flowers cut using Tim's Tattered Flowers die. I added some Film Strip Ribbon, and other idea-ology bits and pieces.

I absolutely love this new Motif Kraft Resist paper. Gorgeous patterns and the Archival inks really work well with it. I was really happy with how my 3D kids came out too. That extra dimension adds so much.

Here's a quick tutorial for how I made my ATB:

Begin by cutting two box panels from medium weight chipboard. When cutting the second panel, insert one of the circles from Tim Holtz's Sized Circles Movers and Shapers into the die. Paint the box with black paint, sand the edges, and assemble.

Cut five panels of Motif Kraft Resist and cut them down to just under 3". Ink with various colors of Archival ink. Adhere panels to box.

Cut out the kids from one of the Found Relatives playing cards. Very carefully cut the two little boys out separately. Ink all cut edges and reassemble using foam dots to add depth.

Line inside of box with decorative paper. To hold the photo panel in place, adhere a small foam block (I use the blocks that come in the Sizzix embossing folder packaging) to the bottom of the box. Adhere the photo panel to the front of the block.

To finish your block, embellish as shown. I also added little painted wooden spools from the craft store for feet.

Most everything I used can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Remember to use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% on your entire order!



Thanks so much for stopping by today - have a wonderful week!

27 comments:

  1. I KNEW this was going to be amazing :-) Shelly you rock the block like no other! Using the ATB as a shadowbox is brilliant and those little kids are adorable. Love the spool feet and drawer pull. Great tutorial- fabulous project as always! Thanks for using the original Artist Trading Block!

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  2. I think I love everything you create, and this is no exception. You are so incredibly talented!

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  3. it's so gorgeous Shelly!! Thanks so much for sharing! :D

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  4. Shelly-This has so many fun details to look at!!!

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  5. How beautiful Shelly. I want one of these. Thanks for step by step too. Love it!! Karen.x

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  6. I LOVE this! Such a gorgeous treasure. You certainly captured the vintage essence that I adore.

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  7. I so love this. Great idea using dimentionals on the family relative cards. I use the make up foam from the $1 store when I need to do the same. I wish I could find this die where I live. No luck. But I so enjoy this one. Great coffee filter flowers.

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  8. What a wonderful way to use the ATB die, your shadow box is fabulous!

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  9. Shelly, you did it again. This is wonderful!

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  10. Absolutely spectacular! Love the idea of making a shadow box...brilliant, as always!

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  11. Utterly wonderful - such a fabulous feel of ages past, and beautifully done, inside and out!
    Alison x

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  12. Well this is a totally bit of eye candy. Just loving it.

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  13. This is gorgeous Shelly!! Love your shadow box. All the details are perfect and those little feet are so cute.

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  14. Now the atb is a gallery / stage! How brilliant!! LOVE this! Nicola x

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  15. Shelly...this ATB is gorgeous! I so love the vintage feeling you've created on this block. You've made Tim's "creepy kids" (as he affectionately refers to them) look so sweet. I love how you've cut out a circle in the center of the front and popped the children. Then all of the other sweet Ideaology pieces that you've added....just beautiful! <3 Candy

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  16. Great project and beautifully done.

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  17. stunning as always!!! I love you work so much ^.^

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  18. Your ATB is simply amazing! Beautiful, creative, awesomely vintage . . . I could go on and on! Thank you for sharing--I didn't know about this die, and I will be putting this on my birthday wish list next month!

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  19. this is brilliant I love it what a wonderful make and cool idea x hugs x

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  20. More than stunning!! I think this must my most favourite block ever!!! Absolutely brilliant, both the idea and the execution!!

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  21. This is fabulous. I love everything about it!

    Found it on Pinterest and repinned!

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  22. This is AMAZING!!!! I LOVE it!!!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!