Sparkling Winter Shadow Box
Project Description: Transform an inexpensive shadow box into a one-of-a-kind piece of seasonal artwork for your home or to give as a gift. Learn how to create monoprints to make each piece completely unique.
Designed by: Alice Golden
Difficulty: Moderate
Materials:
- Grafix Black Cling Film
- Grafix .020” Clear Craft Plastic – 12 x 12”
- Grafix Silver Metallic Foil Board
- Grafix Funky Film – Silver Sequins
- Grafix Monoprint Plates
- Grafix Inking Palette
- Grafix Stencil Film
- Grafix Artist-Tac
- Utrecht American Mater’s Printmaking – White, 11 x 14”
- 12” x 12” x 1¼” Black Shadowbox Frame
- Papertry Ink – Stitched Snowflake Die, Fancy Flakes Die Set
- Matte Acrylic Paint – Green Blue Light, Blue Biolet Light, Blue Biolet Medium, Dark Blue Medium, Silver Mettallic
- Matte Acrylic Extender
- Plaid Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – White
- Silhouette Design Store – Woodland Deer Papercut Garland Cut File
- Silhouette Electronic Die Cutting Machine
- Ranger Stickles Glittle Glue – Icicle
- Therm O Web 3D foam Strips
- iCraft Deco Foil Foam Adhesive
- Paper Trimmer
- Paint Brush
- 4” Foam Brayer
- Fine Tipped Scissors
- Tape
- Craft Tweezers
- 11×11 Piece of Cardboard or Chipboard
- Papertrey Ink – Faux Snow
Steps to Make This:
- Cut printmaking paper to 11×11. Create stencils by die cutting assorted snowflake images into Stencil Film.
- Squirt about a teaspoon of each color paint onto the palette and mix with approximately ¼ – ½ teaspoon extender. The extender loosens the paint and gives you a longer working time before it dries. This allows you to use less expensive craft acrylic paint rather than some of the more expensive artist paints that have extended drying (open) times.
- Use a paintbrush to apply paint to the monoprint plate.
- Use a brayer to mix the colors and smooth out the layer of paint.
- Press the paper onto the plate and smooth with your hands; peel up to reveal first layer of print. Because the paper size is larger than the plate, repeat this process until you get the coverage you want. (TIP: Alternate laying the positive and negative stencils on top of the monoprint plate before pressing the paper. Stagger the position of the stencils and alternate the placement of paint colors to create the layered snowflake monoprint.)
- After the paper had gone through the printing process several times, add some additional snowflake images by laying the negative snowflake stencils on top and sponging paint around the opening with brayer.
- When the print is finished, let the paint dry on the negative snowflake stencils. Die cut foam adhesive using the matching snowflake die and adhere the painted stencil to the monoprint for added dimension. Add glitter glue over the top for additional sparkle.
- Size the woodland die cut image to approximately 8”x8” and cut from black cling film.
- Carefully pick out the negative pieces using craft tweezers. (Tip: Apply a piece of tape to the back of the most detailed cuts (such as the pinecone) to help remove the film.)
- Apply the image to a sheet of 12×12 clear craft plastic. Craft plastic is thinner than the glass that comes with the frame and allows the sequin film to show through better behind the pinecones (as a bonus, it is also easier to ship without worrying about breakage). Cut pieces of Silver Sequin Funky Film to fit behind the pinecones and acorn tops. Use Artist-tac to apply a few dots of adhesive to the front of the film. Adhere to the back of the craft plastic so the silver side shows through, as shown.
- Cut strips of Silver Metallic Foil Board to fit the interior frame of the shadow box. Adhere with Artist-tac. Adding silver to the frame adds to the reflective quality of the finished piece.
- Assemble frame by first adhering a piece of chipboard to the back of the monoprint for added stability. Adhere the print to the back of the frame using foam strips for another layer of dimension. Insert the craft plastic in place of the glass and position the interior frame. Place frame face down and add faux snow along the bottom. Attach back piece and secure in place.
