Shadow Box Beach Themed Card Tutorial

Hi, Hope you are all doing well today.

I am delighted to say that i have been chosen as a guest designer for the Paper Funday Challenge.  This month the challenge was "A day at the beach". 

You know when you have that sudden flash of inspiration, well this card was mine, as soon as i thought beach i thought of my beautiful fairy mermaid stamp.  This stamp i found at a car boot sale quite a while ago, i'm sorry I don't know who it is by, but isn't she just adorable.

You will need:

Navy card stock measuring 9 6/8" by 5 6/8"

Mat layers measuring 4" by 5 1/2" (4 of these) and  7/8" by 5 1/2" (2 of these)

Designer papers measuring 3 6/8 by 5 1/4" (4 of these) and 6/8" by 5 1/4" (2 of these) 4" by 5 1/4" (1 of these)

White card stock measuring 7" by 4" (2 of these) and 7 by 5 1/4" (2 of these)

Coordinating ribbon 7 1/2" (2 pieces)

1) Make the cover using the Navy card stock and score at 4 3/8" and 5 3/8", this leaves a 1" spine. Fold to make book shape

2) Adhere the ribbon at the opening, adhere the mats and layer onto the card both inside and out.

3) Score the white card at 1/2" intervals and fold to make accordion strips (ie Mountain, Valley, Mountain fold), do this with all 4 pieces.

4) Interlock the pieces so that they make a box. I found it easier to adhere some double sided tape on the first piece to stop it sliding out.

5) Adhere to back inside back panel of the card

6) Die cut a shape out of the middle of remaining piece of designer paper then adhere it to the accordion box. I cut a simple square.  You need to make sure that there is at least 1/2" border at the edges to cover the accordion folds.

On the front cover i decoupaged the fairy mermaid.  I stamped and coloured the image three times, and chose various parts to raise on 3d foam pads.  

The Fairy Mermaid was then attched to some gold glittery netting, i have no idea where i got this from, it was most likely salvaged from a present......yes, i am a complete glittery/shiny stuff hoarder.

There are so many possible ways to use this card.  You can use it to store tickets, and holiday momentos, You can build up a 3d scene if you wish on the inside, all you need to do is adhere it on to the accordion folds, as you can see here with the Gorjuss Girls,  however i am going to add a picture of the grandchildren at the beach and give it to my granddaughter.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial, I would love to see your ideas on how you would decorate and use the card, so don't forget to tag me, also pop over to the Paper Funday Challenge and see what other cards the amazing designers are making.

I have shared with:

HLS July

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