I really, really, really wanted to strip & paint the rusty shelf this month, but the rain will not let up! So, I had to abandon the idea that I would get that done for today’s post & look for an indoor DIY project. When I took an inventory of the potential candidates, I came across some shadow boxes in my collection. One of them was perfect for displaying some items from my son’s high school years. I plan on posting more shadow box ideas in the future, since I have two more plus two printer trays. Y’all, I knew I was saving them for something! ; )
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission if you buy something through my link or ad. This does not change your cost it just helps keep this blog running. Thanks for your support! See Privacy Policy & Affiliate Deals page for more information.
Shadow Box Stuff
Shadow boxes are a great way to display all those things we hang on to, that are important, but stay hidden in boxes. Do any of y’all have boxes like that? You can find shadow boxes in all kinds of shapes & sizes, it really just depends on what you want to put in them.
If the date on this paper is right, I’ve had this shadow box for – gulp – 13 years! My how time flies, ahem.
I gathered up some things I wanted to put in the box – pictures, graduation announcement, my son’s homecoming boutonniere, his tassel & cords, & his class ring.
They ordered class rings at the end of 10th grade & by the time my son was a senior it was way too small, so he left it with me. I also have a plan for these leftover envelope labels…
A good way to test out placement is to do it on the inside of the box. Then you will have an idea of what will fit.
I made that collage picture on PicMonkey, by the way! They are pictures taken throughout my son’s high school years.
Putting it Together
I didn’t want to glue down some of the 3D elements, so I decided to add cup hooks inside the box. Y’all know I love using cup hooks for all sorts of things!
Before I drilled holes for the hooks, I fixed my layout on the back board & placed the frame over it. I put the hooks, tassell, & ring where I thought they would look best with the background. Just make a little mark on the edge of the frame to mark the place.
I used an Elmer’s permanent tape runner to hold everything in place on the back board. It’s important to use an acid free adhesive when dealing with photos. The picture could be ruined if you don’t! I only ran two lines down each item, just to help it stick.
I filled in the gaps with some plain scrapbook paper. The boutonniere did require the glue gun to hold it in place, but I put it over paper, not a picture.
I stood the finished board up to make sure nothing was going to fall off. The feather from the boutonniere is covering his face & I didn’t realize that until I put it all back together!
All Boxed Up
My son’s honor cords would not fit in the box without covering things up. I decided to hot glue them to the top & let them hang down the sides. These are for art classes, not academic classes, but I still think they’re awesome!
As a final touch, I stuck a decal on the outside of the glass. This came with some headphones or something like that he got for Christmas one year.
Here’s the ring hanging up & you can just see those envelope labels going down the inside of the box. I started under the ring & went around to the other side.
They stop right at his tassel. I thought it was a great use of something that probably would wind up in the trash!
I hope this gave you some ideas for displaying some of those hidden treasures! Check out these other posts about corralling paper memorabilia ~>
Pin it for later!
