Shadowbox

I finally put together a shadowbox of our year in France, a project I've had in mind for several years. The stumbling block was finding a shadowbox of the size and style I like: about 12"x17", and one with a hinged door. Hob Lob came through for me a couple of weeks ago when they had all their shadowboxes 50% off. This one was regularly $30.

I added the little shelves or dividers inside. It was very simple: first I bought a strip of lath at Home Depot, then marked where to make the cuts, and then I asked (and asked!) the guys to cut it for me. That finally happened on Labor Day. I nailed it together, then spray painted it all black to match the frame. Underneath the dividers I added a piece of 12" square scrapbook paper with a script design. The divider piece went in next, then I added all the mementos. Some of them are held in place with blobs of yellow sticky tack.

Here is a list of what I included in my shadowbox, all items I bought in France (beginning in upper left corner): reproduction tin sign, tiny china doll, souvenir pin from Versailles, glass dip pen, miniature metal Eiffel towers, china dish by Limoges, round wood cheese box (we ate the cheese), a souvenir print of Notre Dame, and a third Eiffel tower.

This was very fun to plan and put together; now I'm inspired to make another one using mementos from my childhood.