How to Make A Simple Shadow Box Card

This post was sponsored by Polaroid, but all opinions are my own.

If you’ve been racking your brain for what to do for Valentine’s Day, or have a birthday or other special occasion coming up and want to make a card that your sweetheart’s not seen anywhere else, then this simple tutorial is for you.

You probably noticed that I’m referring to this card as a “shadow box” card, even though it’s not a typical shadow box, per se. It doesn’t have the shadow box dimensions you’ve been accustomed to seeing.

But I decided to go ahead and label it that anyways, because it shares some key features with a shadow box. If you have another name for it, then feel free to call it that :).

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I was recently contacted by Polaroid to blog about its new line of scrapbooking accessories, and I just about jumped at the opportunity! I grew up with the fun of taking Polaroid shots and instant photos, so it was really cool to see that this same iconic brand that took scrapbooking to new heights “back in the day” had set out to make it even more interactive.

Expanding on its creative photo and lifestyle accessories, Polaroid introduces its exclusive line of instant photography scrapbooking accessories. Designed for maximum personalization and embellishment, this new line of accessories is geared towards those keen on paying homage to life’s special moments by keeping their instant photos safe with stylistic flair. Share the wonder of cherished moments easily and creatively with the latest accessories from Polaroid. –Press release

I really like making things–especially crafts and cards!–by hand for my family and soon-to-be-husband and upon getting some of the cool Polaroid accessories, I decided that a Valentine’s Day card was definitely  in order.

So I went to my family’s study/trusty crafts room and “shopped” for the foundational pieces that’d make this card one of my favorites:

• Scrapbooking paper (about 12″ x 12″)
• (Very) Thick cardboard (to stick to the back of the paper to strengthen it) (also 12″ x 12″)
• Construction paper and other thinner cardboard sheets
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Clear tape
• Markers
• Then from our kitchen, I grabbed a small clear plastic bag.

The accessories Polaroid sent me would clearly send this card to the top:

• Decorative edger scissors: Remember these from when we were younger??
• Fluorescent gel pen set: Gel pens!!
• Glitter gel pen set: And glitter pens!!
• Mini photo punches in the shapes of flowers, smileys, hearts, and stars
• Picture frame stickers

Here are the steps I came up with. No, I didn’t follow any tutorials. I merely did it the trial & error way :).

One.

Line up the cardboard with the scrapbooking sheet of paper and cut the cardboard in the same shape as the scrapbooking paper. (Of course, if you want your scrapbooking paper in another shape, then cut it in that same shape as well. The sheet we had already came in the shape of a heart.)

Two.

After making the cardboard piece the same shape as the scrapbook sheet, I set out to make my “window” opening for the front of the card–i.e., where the front of the scrapbook sheet is.

Three.

Afterwards, I decorated the inside of the window. The theme of my card was “You make me feel things” so I figured I’d put little “things” inside that window.

I thought that I’d punch out little stars and hearts and put them inside the window to represent the things I feel in my tummy when I’m with him :).

And because I didn’t want the background of the window to be just brown cardboard, I decorated that section with the insides of the picture frame stickers.

In the meantime, I had also cut a rectangle out of that clear plastic bag. The rectangle needs to be larger than the window!

Four.

Time to go the back side and use those fun pens!

I picked a piece of cardboard that was white on one side, as this was the portion that he’d see. I just knew the fun gel pens and shiny glitter pens would be perfect for this part!

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And there you have it! A fun and super simple “shadow box” (window?) card that’s perfect for any occasion. What’s great about this is that I remember seeing a very complex commercially (read: computer-) made design months ago and that planted the idea in my head, but I like it when you can see that something you got is homemade so I couldn’t wait to make it my own.

The beauty of all this is that you can make it your own, too! And Polaroid scrapbooking accessories will be with you every step of the way to ensure your design is one-of-a-kind, endearing, and loved by your recipient.

Enjoy and happy Valentine’s Day! What special things have you made for your sweetheart lately?