Thursday, November 12, 2009

Shadowbox Ornament Tutorial

Prepare to be dazzled by my awesome photographic skillz, folks.


Isn't sarcasm fun?


What We're Making






Supplies You'll Need
punches:
pink marvy scalloped square
1 1/4" square
holly

paper:
whisper white
textured green

accessories:
red gemstones
glue pen
dimensional tape
waxed paper
white embroidery floss

STEP ONE
Punch a 1 1/4" square in white cardstock. Make sure to punch the square in far enough that the scalloped punch will fit around it.



STEP TWO
Turn the scalloped punch upside down and center the punched square inside the scalloped punch and punch it out. If you punched the straight square too far in from the edge, simply trim the paper slightly until you can get it centered properly. It helps to have good light directly over the punch so there are no shadows, which can cause you to punch off-center. Ask me how I know.




STEP THREE
Punch a scalloped square from white cardstock.


STEP FOUR
To keep the dimensional tape as sticky as possible and make it easier to cut and handle, put a small strip on a piece of waxed paper. Using scissors, cut the strip into four thin strips, and tear each strip off, line it up on the double-punched square and trim to fit, then remove the waxed paper and adhere. Technically, I suppose you don't have to do this, but the tape is much easier to handle this way, and you don't have to be so precise in measuring.




STEP FIVE
Apply each strip to one side of the square with the center punched out. Peel off one strip's backing and adhere the ends of the white floss to the center of the ornament. I used the end of the tweezers to push the floss down into the tape firmly.


STEP SIX
Remove the remaining backing and adhere to the solid scalloped square, making sure to align the scallops.



STEP SEVEN
Punch the holly from green textured cardstock, and using a glue pen, glue it to the solid scalloped square.



STEP EIGHT
Add two small red rhinestones.



STEP NINE
Admire your lovely work!


Variations: The other holly ornament I made had two layers of tape, which I really don't feel is necessary unless your focal point is very, very dimensional. This ornament works with circles as well (though the square looks better with this holly punch...trust me, I tried!). Tomorrow I'll post a snowflake ornament made with circle punches and sparkly paper. Sweet!!!

16 comments:

  1. This is a fab tutorial. The only thing I find is that the SU! scallop square punch won't fit around the SU! 1 1/4" square punch so not sure how to make this work?

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  2. This seems to be too easy for such a lovely ornament!

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  3. Anonymous,

    I don't have the SU squares, so I don't know the sizes to adapt this. You just need to leave enough border to fit tape on, so you could always cut a square with a craft knife, but that's such a pain! Perhaps someone else will have ideas or know what size square punch would work inside the SU scalloped square. Anyone?

    Susan

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  4. Brilliant ..... great tutorial, clear and simple.
    Thank you :-)

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  5. Thanks for a brilliant tutorial! I don't have square punches, but I do have circles.... now there's a nice idea! It's always 'inspiration central' here!!!! Jo x

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  6. clear, concise, and clever. thanks for the great idea.
    i love it!!
    marty

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  7. You do have some mad photo skills! :-) This ornament is adorable and thank you for the wax paper tip - why didn't I ever think of that??

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  8. You know, with a sheet of acetate you could put some glitter in there with the holly.
    Great job on the tutorial, thanks.

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  9. Love the ornament, love the tutorial, love the photography, love the image in my head of you standing on the platform at the Patience Olympics, receiving the Gold statue. Just cutting the four equal strips of tape would have used up my entire supply of patience. Susan you just really are a marvel!

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  10. LOVE this...I do that to my foam tape too....so much easier! Great tutorial...you are so patient! (giggle) I love that holly punch....I am in search of good holly stuff this year, it just wants to be my theme.

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  11. Amazing! Now I need that holly punch!

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  12. Very pretty ornament! Step 9 is my favorite :)

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  13. LOVE IT! I am going to try this with my square spellbinders.
    This would also make cute gift tags. Just write to and from on the back.
    Great tip with the wax paper.

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  14. Wonderful tutorial...and I love your ornament!!

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!